How to run a committee meeting: a 45-minute format

Long committee meetings stretch the waiting time of records and tire members. A fixed format is enough to finish in 45 minutes.

• Before: the agenda opens to members at least two days ahead; calculations are ready in the record.
• First 5 minutes: status of previous decisions.
• 30 minutes: pending records; a decision or one clear question for each.
• Last 10 minutes: work to roll out and reward decisions.
• After: minutes are published the same day.

Records left undecided

A record needing more information goes back to its author or the relevant unit with the question. “We'll look at it next time” should never be given without a question.