Agendas

I often make agendas.

Usually these are for work-related meetings so I can make sure I not only get through all the things I want to cover during a particular conversation, but also so those attending the meeting know what we'll be talking about and can come prepared. I feel strongly that agendas actually put people at ease during professional meetings because they help participants know how long a meeting will last and answer many of the questions people ask when sitting down to meet. What is the purpose of this gathering? What outcomes are we looking for? and..what procedure will we use to get through our agenda? (Thanks to the Rockwood Leadership Training Program and Jewish Funds for Justice Selah Program for equipping me with this meeting facilitation gem!)

Lately, I've been getting together with many friends I haven't seen in a while and have found myself creating agendas for those get togethers too! At right you'll see a quick agenda I jotted down during a dinner at Busboys and Poets with Tinselyn S. H. last week. I usually prepare the agendas on my blackberry while on the metro or bus to a particular meeting spot. I laughed out loud as I prepared to write this post while reading some of the items on various agendas saved in the notes feature on my phone: school, New York, Purim, Carol, Oprah, coming to DC, the Hebrew Mamita, Austin, noteworthy participant, job.

Those who attended the "Old Fellows/New Fellows Gathering" at Teaism in 2006 will recall the agenda I made for that meeting also. Just because I am so proud of it, I have copied it below for your reading pleasure. Please note the watermark.