Page 11 - ENEWS-December 2020 _ Edition_Active

Volume V11, No. 3 Page 12

PROTOCOL

MEMBER PROTOCOL SOLUTIONSTO
COMMON MEETING

Members have rights and obligations. PROBLEMS
However, they should adhere to protocol
as well as the President or other Club of- STATE YOUR OBJECTIVE
ficers. Each meeting needs objectives.
They should be clearly presented in the lead-
er’s opening statement. This simple procedure
1. Protocol demands that members establishes the purpose for the meeting. With
arrive on time for a meeting and stay until an objective I’m mind, all discussion and ener-
the meeting is adjourned, unless they have gy can be directed to it.
a special reason and have obtained prior
permission. PREPARE AN AGENDA.
An Agenda is a MUST. It should be

prepared in advance and given to all members
2. Always address the Chair before you before the meeting. It will serve as a road map
speak. and keep the discussion on the topic. When
distributed before the meeting, an agenda en-
3. Be prompt in seconding motions to courages advance preparation.
bring business to the floor for discussion.
4.Address the Vice President or any per- BE SELECTIVE WHEN PICKING PARTIC-
son temporarily as “Lion Vice President IPANTS.
or Mr. / Madam Chairman” You want the minimum number of
appropriate people. Smaller numbers will
5. Never walk between the Chair and hold interest and increase participation. You
the assembly. may need to inform some people before the
meeting, to explain your reason for including
6. Develop the art of listening. Members them.
should be attentive at all times.

7. A rap of the gavel by the President MANAGE MEETING TIME
should bring instant attention. Select a balance between wasting
time and railroading the group. Allow suffi-
8. Do not stand waiting for recognition cient time for participants to become involved
when another member has the floor. and feel satisfied with the outcome. Start on
time and keep things moving towards an an-
nounced ending time.
9. Be seated at once, if someone rises to a
point of order while you have the floor. TAKE CHARGE
Effective control and guidance are
required for effective meetings. Use the
10. Do not interrupt another speaker un- Agenda to keep the discussion on topic. En-
less the law gives you the right. courage less active participants. Control those
who attempt to dominate. Determine ahead of
time, the best procedure to achieve the meet-
ing’s objectives and use them at the appropri-
11. Do not try to compete with the speak- ate times.
er by chatting with your neighbor.
CLOSE WITH A SUMMARY
Every meeting should close with a
12. Do not sleep during a meeting. statement of the meeting’s objectives, a sum-
mary of what was accomplished toward the
objectives and a review of agreed upon ac-
tions that need to be taken.
Good manners from the assembly demon-
strate a knowledge of Proper Protocol.

The Kings & Queens