Meeting Facilitation Tips: How to Start On Time

Many groups struggle with getting started on time. Once the pattern of starting late begins, it often just gets worse as people assume that the meetings will always start late. Here are a few suggestions if you are trying to change the habits of your group:

1)     Shut the door when you are getting started so that folks who come late know that they are late.

2)     Don’t slow down to get others caught up every time someone comes in late. This supports people in coming late.

3)     If people want to socialize before a meeting starts, gather with some food before the meeting is scheduled to begin so that the relationship building can happen, but not during the meeting.

4)     Post the meeting times on the door of the meeting room.

5)     Send participants a reminder e-mail an hour or so before the meeting telling them you will start promptly at the starting time.

6)     Always finish at the scheduled end time. Starting late does not mean you will automatically go over. 

7)     Be on time yourself. To do this you may have to factor in stops to get a cup of coffee or going to the restroom.

8)     Consider a donation jar that those who come late contribute to. 

9)     Do not over fill the agenda. Always assume items will take more time than you anticipate. I generally try to leave 10 minutes extra for each hour of meeting time. If the agenda is achievable, people will leave feeling good about the work they did. If it is over ambitious, they will leave feeling frustrated.

10)   Just do it. Start at the time you said you would and let others make the adjustments they need to get used to it.