So, I just got out of a meeting that took about 2.5 hours.
Its stuff that could easily have been done in 1 hour.
How do you deal with a group that is painstakingly slow and is not efficient, when you’re not really the president and can’t do much about it. I’ve already brought it up with the President, asking if we can move things faster. She said sure, but no effects have really taken place. I’ve had to basically tell the group that I can’t sit for more than 1 hour in a meeting, and that I will leave after 1 hour. I get nice, and so I stayed today for 2.5 hours. Which was FABulous, because I was one of two people on time at the meeting…
What do you do in this sort of situation?
I’m thinking of quitting, but at the same time, I’m really interested in working on the issues the group works on. There are no other organizations I can be a part of.
I’m thinking of starting my own group, but not sure about it.
Oh right...well in that case, you have to express your need for speedy discussion (in ur case, u already told the President) and see if the situation changes. Otherwise, see if u can contribute in other ways.
you can definitely say that you have work to cath up on and that your agenda items, if any, can be pushed to the next meeting.
dont go into lon explanations, but simply state that you need that time
to meet some more important deadlines.
propose by writing a simple email to you immediate supervisor and suggest why you feel that the staff meetings ought to essentially work related, fast and once a month.
make a strong case by saying, at times, extra stuff is discussed which is counter productive to the time of staff meetings.
that you as an employee would like to see a staff meeting which is well structured and would do all you can to make it happen, but you need cooperation of others in doing so...that you will be more than glad to attend the next one. in fact, you say, that you are looking forward to the next meeting.
if they are not stupididiot, the rest of the people at your org, will get your hint.
secondly, you can always say that you will consult the minutes and if any thing applied to your work, directly and is urgent, you will follow up on it. but for you to stay through the whole meeting, which you know, is a waste of your time, very amiably, make an excuse, and a truthful one, and you will be able to get your time saved.
I always worked in larger financial institutions and - inevitably - there are one or 2 in every meeting who just LOVE to hear their own voice. VERY annoying. When I lose patience, I always jump in with "I think this should be taken offline" if it hasnt already been suggested.
Just to clarify, this is not a corporate business meeting environment. Its a student organization. 4 officers including myself. The other 3 are superclose friends and LOVE to talk (Mamaof3, you hit it on the nail - they love to hear themselves talk).
I think, as of date, we've had 1 productive meeting ever.
Dushwari, writing a letter and all that is fine. I don't think this is the case scenario for that.
PCG- i know what u mean, I have excused myself from a number of desi groups because they want to meet in devon have dinner and chat. My view is, dude..get a friggin conference call bridge and then have people dial in, have an agenda and times u can stick to so ppl can dial in for their segments only if they want. But then I am told no its very tough and I am being unreasonable.
solution PCG in your case is to have an agenda, have specific time slot for new business, old business, things that ppl want to just instantly brain storm on ad nauseum, put them in a parking lot (as mama said, tell ppl to take i toffline) and make someone incharge of it or leave it to be discussed at the end of the agenda for everyone that wants to do that.
and for every agenda item there needs to be an owner, a next step and a timeline assigned. u will notice that ppl who yip yap a lot may not liek it but usually they are the ones who dont get anything done.