The Chairs Matter (and the Tables)

I like meetings.  I like meetings where people are glad to be there and things get accomplished.  There is a reason for the meeting and progress is made.

I like meetings where people participate.  If people are in a meeting and never say anything, I feel like they are not really present.  I think they did not contribute and possibly gained nothing from being there.

I was in a meeting recently where the one presiding did an excellent job.  He was warm and obviously had a plan for the meeting.  Different reports were given, but it did not seem that most present were involved. 

A deeply held belief I have is that the setup of the room can have a major effect on a meeting.  There were approximately 25 people at the meeting.  It was held in a room with about twenty tables and chairs around them for about 100 people or so.  People were seated all over the room.  Some were at the back and others were here and there seated in groups of two or three and even a few were seated alone.

6 Things I Believe About Room Setup:

1.  The setup of a room can kill the effectiveness of a meeting.  

2.  Just as a reason for the meeting and a plan or agenda are necessary, so is a setup that will promote people's interaction and involvement.

3.  Too many chairs has a negative effect.  It feels like lots of people did not come, whether that is true or not.

4.  The setup affects people seeing the expressions of those speaking as well as just hearing what is said and that affects their involvement.

5.  Different groups respond differently to different setups.  We sometimes have to experiment to find what works best with a group that has regular meetings.  Do they do better sitting in a circle or sitting around tables, etc?

6.  Chairs (and tables) pushed here and there in a haphazard way tend to project a negative feeling. Straight rows and angles make a difference.

As College Ministers, we need to not only have good and effective meetings, we need to teach our student leaders how to have and lead good and effective meetings.  That is part of our role in building up the church in the future.

3 Other Things That Improve Meetings:

1.  Healthy Laughter - When people can laugh they are more relaxed and real with each other.

2.  Taking 5 minutes or so to ask about everyone's day - Many people come to meetings after a full day of classes or work.  It might even call for then praying about one or more things mentioned.

3.  Snacks or Drinks - It helps people relax and it says, "We care and appreciate your time."

Arliss Dickerson's book, Reaching MORE College Students, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN and Almost Everything About College Ministry is at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.