Weekly chapter meetings are an important part of success for many members, but making the most of the limited time together can be a challenge. In one short hour, you must discuss enough business to smoothly run the chapter, and deliver the accountability, support, encouragement, motivation and inspiration that each TOPS member needs. Whew!
By incorporating the following tips into your chapter’s meetings, you will be better able to focus on the most important part of the meeting—the members!
Keep the focus on weight loss
All TOPS members share the desire to lose weight, and the purpose of chapter meetings is to support those efforts. When planning meetings, remember to center activities on those that motivate, inspire and encourage members for the week that lies ahead.
The time to chat or share pictures of your grandkids is before or after the meeting. If that isn’t feasible, get together with other members during the week. Seeing other members outside the usual meeting times is a fantastic way to get—and give—the support we all need!
Start your meeting with the program
This accommodates those who may need to leave early. Everyone is short on time at some point. By starting with the program, those who have limited time can receive the motivation and support they need before they must leave.
Visitors and new members will also appreciate being able to engage in the program right away. Programs are excellent icebreakers!
Provide plenty of time for members’ challenges and successes
Roll call is a great time for members to share what they have accomplished during the week, including any highlights (or lowlights). Others may help you, or you may help them!
Utilize the professionally prepared programs available in TOPS News membership magazine
Every issue of TOPS News has high quality, professionally prepared programs, as well as a program planner, in a section you can pull out and keep. Take advantage of these excellent resources, which include topics about diet and exercise—contests, too.
Recognize members for their accomplishments
Remember when you were new to TOPS, and how good it felt when you received a certificate or charm for best monthly loser or your non-scale achievements? The entire chapter clapped and cheered! Recognition is an important part of support, regardless of how long you have been a TOPS member. Go ahead, brag on your members and yourselves!
Keep the business portion of meetings brief
Some planning for things like fundraisers, chapter finance and organization is important. However, it should be only a small part of your meeting. If the time spent on these things takes up the biggest part of your meeting, your chapter may want to consider reprioritizing to keep weight loss at the center of meetings.
While discussion of business items is important, it can wander from the topic being discussed. When this happens, bring it back to what is relevant and important to the chapter.
Minutes or a treasurer’s report don’t need to be read at every meeting. Consider sending these documents via email or keeping them in a book that all members can inspect when they wish.
Close the meeting with a thought for the week or other inspirational activity
TOPS meetings are a time to remotivate and recharge ourselves and each other. Leaving meetings on an upbeat, positive note helps turn that motivation into action.
This article was written by Jana Comer, member of TOPS OK 0013 Stillwater, and was originally featured in the March/April 2023 issue of TOPS News magazine. For more insights on effective chapter leadership and making the most of your role in TOPS, check out TOPS President Rick Danforth’s blog on making the right moves with your TOPS position.
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