You have attended meetings of one kind or another all your life. Your extension career will lead you to many more meetings, but with one important difference. As an extension educator you will be in charge of the meeting.
As a matter of fact you will spend a good deal of your work hours getting ready for, going to, conducting, and coming from meetings; and, looking towards the next meeting. Meetings are a way of life in Cooperative Extension.
Unfortunately there are far too many poorly planned and executed meetings. Successful meetings just don't happen. It takes an organized effort on your part. You must learn to be a "meeting manager." This meeting management information is designed to help you organize your efforts towards reaching the goal of successful meetings. Rather than narrative this information uses a checklist approach.
Your first few meetings may not achieve everything you want but don't give up, "practice makes perfect." Use this information as a checklist and soon the steps will become second nature. You will be on your way to being an expert meeting manager. Your client-groups will grow and your colleagues will respect you. Meeting management is the finishing touch for an extension educator.
The steps below will help you create a learning environment enabling you to accomplish that purpose for which your people came together. Click on each step for additional information related to each stage of meeting management.
Materials developed for New Extension Staff by William K. Waters, Retired Area Agent, Farm Management.
