Making the Most of Your Meeting Time, Parts I & II
Mike Chandler offers two exercises that can help you make the most of your meeting time; plus a look at debriefing your planning commission meetings
Making Meetings Work
Running productive, civil meetings can sometimes be a challenge — but it's essential if the planning commission is going to be effective. These articles and postings focus on meeting management and how to deal with contentious public hearings.
Continue to older articles & posts — or return to newer ones — where you see the green buttons at the bottom of the page.
More Form Than Substance? – How to Make the Most from Public Hearings
Elaine Cogan suggests some ways by which you can make the most from public hearings.
The “Riggins Rules”
Suggested do’s and don’ts for the conduct of public hearings, and the deportment of members of boards, commissions, and other bodies — reprinted as written by the late Fred Riggins.
Dealing With Difficult People Requires Finesse
Are your planning commission meetings attended by accusers, attackers, gossip-spreaders, hair-splitters, old-timers, or yakkers? Some tips on how you can deal effectively with each of these types.
Welcoming the Public
Do citizens fell welcome at your planning commission meetings from the moment they enter the meeting room door? Steps you can take to provide a welcoming environment.
Using Visual Aids
Visual aids can be a key part of a presentation. Yet we often fail to carefully plan for their use. Elaine Cogan provides some tips — and warns of some pitfalls.
Drafting Land Use Findings
Courts are increasingly scrutinizing written findings in local land use decisions. Attorneys Gary Kovacic and Mary McMaster provide guidelines for planning commissions and boards when drafting land use findings.
When They Speak, Do You Listen?
Do you listen to what members of the public say at your planning commission meetings? Do people know that you’re listening?
