Often around this time of the year your organisation may have planned the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to take place.  While there are formal compliance requirements that may include election of board members, presentation and passing of financial and audit reports as well as dealing with other business that forms part of the agenda, there are many other opportunities that can be achieved at the meeting.

Annual General Meetings are ideal for promoting upcoming events, raising the awareness of your organisation does as well as highlighting significant achievements.  In addition, the AGM provides an ideal opportunity to recruit volunteers to help out at events or in the office,  board members as well as new members.

As such, an important element of the planning for your AGM is to be able to obtain the details of these people who may want to participate and assist your organisation.  For example, when people arrive for the Annual General Meeting ensure that when they register their attendance you also have forms ready so they can:

In addition, make sure to also include the relevant forms as part of the information you may give out in relation to the Annual General Meeting that may include the meeting agenda and a copy for the financial reports.  The other vital element of this is to ensure you follow up with either a phone call, email or by mailing out additional information within a timely manner.

As mentioned at the start, the Annual General Meeting provides a great opportunity to not only promote your organisation but to obtain interest from people who may be willing to assist.  Often with a kindergarten, sporting club or community group it is critical to ensure the support from within the local community and a well-planned Annual General Meeting can achieve this as well as strengthen your organisation..