Council

Any Council has three parts to it:

IN SEQUENCE:

1. The Front-End: the planning that needs to occur before the meeting takes place.
2. The Meeting Itself: the active attendance and participation by all members.
3. The Back-End: the action assignments and decisions that get implemented.

IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:

1. Back-End……………the action assignments
2. Front-End……………the preparation
3. Meeting Itself………..the get together

Unless its purpose is to reward or to fill a “feel good” need, it must be results driven, with the power and authority to make critical decisions to direct the growth of the business.  Recommendations to create an effective Council:

1. Hire a third party Facilitator (Attardi Marketing) to help with the front-end planning process and to facilitate the meeting itself.
2. Appoint leaders to be responsible that the most important back-end action assignments are completed and completed in a timely manner.
3. Formalize the by-laws and rules of procedure:
   • Make-up of the Council
   • Members
   • Timeframe of service
   • Mission & Charter
   • Goals & Objectives
   • Purpose & Expectations
   • Annual Meeting Schedule
4. Develop the agenda / the major issues / expected meeting flow.
5. Allow for some private time between the members.
6. Review anticipated action assignments to encourage everyone to want to contribute.
7. Timely distribution of meeting minutes and reporting procedures to keep movement and accomplishment the driving force.
8. Authority figure at all meetings: oversees and gets involved when necessary.