Meeting Environment
Planning the Meeting

Rotary Potpourri
Speakers
Member Participation
100

Everyone in your club always sits in the same place each week and you would like to change that.

  • What is intentionally mixing up seating to build fellowship?
  • What is assigning table rotations or themed seating?
  • What is creating opportunities for Rotarians to connect with new members?
100

This is your first meeting as Club President. You are not used to speaking in front of a group and you are nervous.

  • What is creating a structured agenda with time limits?

  • What is prioritizing agenda items before the meeting?

  • What is planning ahead to manage meeting flow?

100

This city is where the first Rotary club was founded on February 23, 1905

  • What is Chicago, IL
100

You would like to have interesting speakers, but aren’t sure where to find them.

  • What is asking members for speaker recommendations?

  • What is using Rotary or community networks?

  • What is reaching out to local leaders or organizations?

100

Some members of the club love to sing, and others do not.

  • What is being inclusive of different comfort levels?

  • What is offering optional participation?

  • What is balancing tradition with member preferences?

200

One of your club members has hearing challenges and is having difficulty hearing what is being said.

  • What is ensuring accessibility for all Rotarians?
  • What is using microphones or assistive listening tools?
  • What is asking speakers to face the audience and speak clearly?
200

While you are presenting a few club members continue talking and are distracting others.

  • What is using a standard agenda template?

  • What is asking a mentor or past president for guidance?

  • What is outlining meeting goals and timing?

200

This attorney is recognized as the primary founder of Rotary.

    Who is Paul Harris? 

200

The speaker arrives with a powerpoint, but your meeting space cannot accommodate visuals.

  • What is asking the speaker to adapt their presentation?

  • What is communicating expectations with speakers in advance?

  • What is focusing on verbal storytelling instead of visuals?

200

The club is having a brainstorming session about new fundraisers and you want all members to participate.

  • What is using small group discussions?

  • What is encouraging equal participation?

  • What is creating a safe space for ideas?

300

A prospective new member has arrived and is standing at the front entrance.

  • What is immediately welcoming them?
  • What is assigning a Rotarian to act as host?
  • What is practicing Rotary hospitality?
300

Several club members want to talk about their projects and you aren’t sure if there will be enough time.

  • What is setting time limits for reports?

  • What is scheduling updates for future meetings?

  • What is prioritizing agenda items?

300

This was the very first Rotary service project completed by the Chicago club.

  • What is the installation of comfort stations (public restrooms)?

300

While speakers are usually scheduled for 20 minutes, the speaker has now been speaking for 30 minutes.

  • What is politely signaling the speaker to wrap up?

  • What is time management by the MC?

  • What is respecting the agenda and members’ time?

300

You have asked club members to get into groups and discuss a topic. Now everyone needs to stop talking and come back together.

  • What is using a clear signal or verbal cue to regain attention?

  • What is giving a countdown to wrap up discussions?

  • What is confidently re-establishing control of the meeting?

400

A person shows up for the meeting and has never been before. They do not have money to pay for meal....

  • What is immediately welcoming them?
  • What is assigning a Rotarian to act as host?
  • What is practicing Rotary hospitality?
400

You are conducting the business meeting of your club and the same person keeps interrupting or asking questions and making comments. No one else even has a chance to speak

  • What is improving agenda time management?

  • What is respecting members’ schedules?

  • What is ending meetings on time?

400

The first question of the Four-Way Test

What is "Is it the Truth"?

400

10 minutes before the meeting starts your speaker notifies you that he/she is not coming.

  • What is having a backup plan or activity?

  • What is using the time for club discussion or fellowship?

  • What is being flexible and adaptable as a leader?

400

You would like to bring more energy to your meetings.

  • What is adding interactive elements or icebreakers?

  • What is varying meeting formats?

  • What is creating engaging and dynamic meetings?

500

Someone is raising their hand to make a comment, the speaker is not recognizing them.

  • What is the MC stepping in to facilitate discussion?

  • What is ensuring respectful participation and turn-taking?

  • What is helping the speaker manage audience engagement?

500

You are running late to the meeting, you forgot your agenda and are feeling overwhelmed.

  • What is asking the President-Elect to preside?
  • What is arranging for an experienced Rotarian to serve as acting presider?
  • What is sharing leadership responsibilities through co-MCs or officers?
500

 This is the official primary motto of Rotary International

 What is "Service Above Self"?

500

The speaker had given you a topic that you and members were looking forward to hearing about, but the speaker is way off on another tangent

  • What is respectfully redirecting the speaker?

  • What is managing expectations during introductions?

  • What is following up with speakers ahead of time?

500

How do you keep members engaged in zoom or e-club type environments

  • What is using polls, breakout rooms, or chat?

  • What is encouraging cameras and interaction?

  • What is shortening segments and increasing engagement?

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