Making good meetings: The importance of fun is often overlooked
Par Family Councils Ontario
We are often asked: “how we can get more families to attend our meetings?” My answer is always the same: if the meeting isn’t fun then no one looks forward to attending and membership will dwindle very fast. It is important to balance the serious side of meetings with time that is enjoyable and fun. Each Council member has a story about caregiving. Each story is full of emotion and often a certain amount of sadness. Often having someone you care for in long-term care cuts down on social networks and opportunities to meet people. Socializing at Family Council meetings can bring a sense of “normalcy” to life beyond the constant caregiving.
When can Family Councils fit “fun” into meetings?
Within a Family Council meeting having an informal time together before or after the formal meeting can establish strong interpersonal relationships. It can be a time of sharing and socializing together with people who share similar circumstances. It can be a short time at each meeting depending on the meeting agenda, or a longer time either before or after a meeting, or it can even be a separate social gathering.
Some suggestions:
- Have teatime, a social hour or refreshment breaks at meetings.
- Take turns providing snacks for the meeting.
- Share baking and recipes.
- Have a pot luck dinner.
- Share your talents. For example, does anyone play a musical instrument or have a special talent to share as an interlude at your meetings?
- Open the meeting with a fun video or round of jokes.
These informal times don’t have to be fancy just full of a sense of community with a generous element of sharing together.
Get people talking beyond their caregiving responsibilities or challenges
At the informal time try to generate conversation by asking a question that has nothing to do with caregiving. For example: what are your hobbies? How many grandchildren do you have? Are you retired? What was your job? Or if still working, what do you do? Talk about movies or books or the Netflix shows you are enjoying, share silly jokes, play music.
Social events can engage people and forge relationships that help prevent loneliness and social isolation that often sets in for caregivers. Creating fun and interest gives members something to look forward to in terms of attending meetings and encourages participation. Fun can keep the spirits up even when things are challenging.
Balance
Balance is the word of the day: balance your meetings between the business serious Council work with the lighter side of life. It can do wonders for participation and engagement. Never underestimate the importance of having fun.
Originally published 2018-01-17