This section offers information and guidance on hosting and promoting your branch or group meetings, whether they be virtual meetings, support meetings for people affected by MND, or committee meetings.
For any meetings, please refer to the below guidance
- Planning checklist for meetings
- Support Volunteer Venue Risk Assessment - PDF version
- Support Volunteer Venue Risk Assessment - word version
When communicating with volunteers, group members or other supporters in your area, please see our guidance on protecting and respecting personal data, including information on how to send emails.
Support meetings
Providing valuable local support for people living with MND, their families and carers is one of the most rewarding activities for your branch/group. Support can be offered in a variety of ways and whatever the size of your branch or group there is always something you can be doing to help those affected in your area.
Hosting support meetings is a great way for people affected by MND to come together, offer friendship, support and information.
Committee meetings
As a volunteer you'll become aware that all branches and groups hold committee meetings or planning meetings, all with differing times, dates and at different venues. It is important that there is good regular communication between all those involved in the running of a group or a branch.
Preparing the agenda for committee meetings is usually the task of the secretary with the chair having final say about its content, but however, it is up to all involved to ensure meetings run effectively.
Some branches and groups may have a minute's secretary who takes the minutes, ensuring they are accurate, all decisions are recorded and who is responsible for any actions agreed is clearly noted.
The following information details good practice on how to run effective committee meetings such as guidance on facilitating discussion, data protection, location ideas for meetings, starting the meeting on time.
Guidance
Annual general meetings (AGMs)
Holding an AGM isn't a requirement for branches or groups but they may choose to hold an AGM if they wish.
Holding an AGM offers a great opportunity to share and celebrate all you have achieved over the past year with your members and supporters and in particular to:
- say thank you to members and supporters
- raise awareness about MND and our work to wider audiences
- celebrate all of our achievements during the previous year, including fundraising and how the money raised has been spent.
If branches or groups choose not to hold an AGM we ask that an impact report is produced which outlines the activities of the branch or group over the previous year and for this to be shared with local members.
The key to a successful AGM is in the planning. The earlier you start your planning the better, especially if you want to ensure the availability of a particular key speaker.