The aim of this two day team building and managing meetings training course is to improve participants meeting management skills and participation skills, to ensure that the whole process is a more effective use of their time. Various issues are reviewed including: meeting type and purpose, setting the agenda, effective planning and preparation, the role of chairperson, other posts and members, control of members, results which should be achieved, and minute taking. Meetings are a costly business and need expert management.

This managing meetings training course version will discuss symptoms and indicators that show when meetings are not being managed effectively and how to deal with people who are not making an effective contribution, e.g.: not participating in discussion, offering premature "solutions", over dominating, pursing hidden agenda's or hobby horses, involved in private battles, etc.

Careful consideration will also be given to the fundamental issue of whether a meeting is the most appropriate process for a number of different situations, and if so what type of meeting would be most effective, e.g.: advisory, bargaining, collegiate, command, or committee .

Different types of meetings will have different value sets, behavioural requirements, protocols, etc. Indeed regular and stable group meetings will also establish their own cultural norms.

This managing meetings course is highly participative (knowledge can only be converted to skill through continuous practise). Therefore throughout the course participants will take turns to chair meetings covering a variety of situations. Fellow course members and the tutor will provide the chairperson (and meeting members) with feedback of their performance, accomplishments, behaviours, procedural use, control of agenda and time etc. In this way participants will gain an appreciation of the meaning of team building.

Reviews will also be held to consider the application of learning to the work place in a variety of situations.

All these reviews will also be chaired by participants to enhance their skills.

Participants will be provided with a second managing meetings work book for further study after the course ends. This work book simulates a meeting between six section managers. Manager profiles are supplied and 12 different scenarios are described. The work book can form the basis of self study or alternatively can underpin group activity. If the latter is chosen then participants will follow this procedure:

1. Firstly to make up their own mind about each problem.

2. Then discuss their views with their team members to reach a consensus which is acceptable to all members.