Goofing around in chapter meetings

[Dionysus]

How much of this is tolerated in your chapter?

When I say goofing around I mean making wisecracks, asking stupid questions, going off topic, horseplay, and general off-task behavior.

Personally, I do not think a little goofing around is a big deal. It makes the meetings interesting and keeps you from falling asleep. But, if you have too much goofing around, people start getting pissed, and the meetings last way too long because we cannot get back on track to discuss business.

[KSUViolet06]

A little joke very now and then during meeting is okay. But when you look around and everyone has their own thing going on and no one is listening to the officer/chair who is talking, that's an issue.

Generally, if you follow proper parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules), goofing off and side conversations are kept to a minimum. The president and parliamentarian of the chapter have the authority to call "point of order", when side conversations, talking, etc, are getting out of hand. At a point of order, all side talking should stop. If point of order is called more than 3 times during one meeting, according to procedure, the meeting starts ALL OVER AGAIN.

If you don't use Robert's Rules, you could always have it where the person speaking asks the talking brother(s) to be quiet once, then the next time, they are asked to leave.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by JocelynC
If point of order is called more than 3 times during one meeting, according to procedure, the meeting starts ALL OVER AGAIN.

WOAH!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally posted by Dionysus
WOAH!

Which is why it works so well. WHO wants to sit through a meeting twice? We've never actually gotten to this point though, luckily. Most talking stops after the first point of order.

[AndreaJo8648]

I hate when we have a meeting and the women in my sorority do this. Our Sgt. of Arms stops them, and if they do not it is a 50 cent fine for every time after that.

[krystle]

Depends on the type of meeting it is I think.


During Formal ( since its more structured and you know, has to do with ritual ), the Parliminarian is a little more strict. We run on a three strike policy per sister. After your third strike you have to leave the meeting, and then at the next one..you need a formal apology written and stated outloud to the chapter, then they essentially have to allow you back it.

Informal is a little laid back. There's more jokes, food, and just an all over casual feeling.

Sure there's joking around and getting off topic in all meetings, ESPECIALLY the ones where KaKaTay ( the african drumming ensemble ) is performing in the room next to where we hold our meetings.

Needless to say, informal is my favorite.

[PhoenixAzul]

My sorority doesn't have "formal" and "informal"...we're pretty laid back about the whole deal. PJ's, food, etc are all fair game at meetings. We have a Parlimentarian who keeps everyone in check. For the most part it works out pretty well.

[Optimist Prime]

Our formal meetings follow ritual and are private.

Informal we don't wear badges (and corresponding attire) but we usually will get the same amount of work done. Of course, I'm an alumnus now, but I'm pretty confident it hasn't changed too much.

Informal meetings still private, but not as much so, and for different reasons.

[DZTurtle06]

When it comes down to it, I believe you can have as much fun as you want as long as your goals are getting accomplished. My sosority is all about fun, we are always goofin around at chapter but we always do everything we are supposed to get done....have a blast and get stuff done!!! )