How to write a good agenda

NORSK

Who is responsible for the agenda?

If the group has a secretary, the secretary is responsible for collecting input for the agenda. The secretary does this by asking the group anyone has items to add to the agenda beforehand, and by getting the plans for the meeting from the leader/deputy leader. The secretary then writes the agenda and shares it with the rest of the group a couple of days before group meetings (via e-mail, in a closed Facebook group and the like). If the group does not have a secretary, this is done by the leader or deputy leader.

What should be on the agenda?

• Time and place
• Points/ topic/ purpose of the meeting. This depends on the type of meeting (whether it is planning, training, social, etc.)
  • Information to be given at the meeting
  • Matters to be discussed
  • Decisions to be made so that the participants can prepare
• Enough information so that everyone understands what will happen at the meeting
• An "other"-item so that people other than those who have planned the meeting have the opportunity to raise topics

It is important that the agenda provides room for all members of the group to have the opportunity to give input and to help decide plans for the meeting.

For example, it is a good idea not only to decide that you will have a Write for Rights-event for a specific issue, at a specific time, but to have the agenda item "planning of the Write for Rights event" and write that the group should plan this together at the meeting.

For tips for good meetings, see Tips for successful group meetings in the toolbox.

Tips and tricks for the more advanced:

The agenda items in an agenda can be divided into three types:

Orientation: marked with (O) in the agenda. There are matters to be informed about at the meeting, such as updates from the secretariat.

Discussion: marked with a (D) in the agenda. These are points to be discussed, but not necessarily decided at the meeting, such as matters you want to focus on.

Resolution: marked with a (R) in the agenda. These are points that must be adopted, for example where and when you will have the next action.

Example agenda:
Update from regional manager (O)
Plans for the next six months (D)
Information about the annual general meeting (R)
Distribution of responsibility for the action for Narges Mohammadi (R)
Other