4 Faculty Meeting Agenda Templates

A faculty meeting agenda template is the key to creating a well-planned and helpful agenda for any faculty meeting. Some consider an agenda a road map, a blueprint, or even an unseen guide on the path to harmonious and productive meeting. More than just a list of items on a page, an agenda minimizes wasted time, keeps the purpose of a meeting in sight, and can even prod groups into action.

Planning agendas

Any meeting chair would be unwise to plan an agenda in isolation. When key members of a meeting agree on a meeting agenda in advance, they will each work towards the goals stated on that agenda. Reaching alignment with key faculty members in advance also allows the meeting chair a chance to identify potential roadblocks or issues, and then plan to address them. This process can be as formal as asking several members of the committee to form a subcommittee to create the agenda, or it can be as casual as an email soliciting topics or items for discussion. Regardless, encouraging input from other faculty members is sure to lead to more productive meetings.

Faculty meeting agenda template #1

This meeting agenda offers a simple structure, beginning with the location, date and time of the meeting. This is followed by the call to order, which begins the meeting. The second item on the list allows meeting attendees to correct any minutes from the previous meeting. Items three and four are for old and new business, then the agenda moves on to committee reports, chair reports and finally, adjournment. Note that this meeting agenda lacks specific discussion items, time guidelines for each item, and any approval of the agenda or time to add items to the next agenda. This meeting agenda also lacks action verbiage, which can help move a meeting along.

Faculty meeting agenda template #2

This meeting agenda takes a different tack, dispensing with many of the formalities of a traditional agenda and assigning priorities for items, pointing to desired outcomes, naming parties responsible for each item, and even naming a method for accomplishing the stated goal. Specific action items can only help achieve meeting goals, but a meeting chair should remain flexible when using such a detailed agenda.

Faculty meeting agenda template #3

This agenda template combines some of the first and some of the second agenda templates. It includes the traditional elements like date, location and attendees. It also includes a section to review in advance, a place to ask attendees to bring items to the meeting, and a list of discussion items with responsible parties for each item. The key to using this agenda is the inclusion of action words, framing the expectations of attendees. This can be a very effective agenda template when planned correctly.

Faculty meeting agenda template #4

This last agenda is quite different, relying on base teams, small-group discussion, and large-group sharing of small-group responses to reach consensus and address faculty meeting items. A format like this, while very different from the norm, can encourage participation from even the most reticent of members, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.

Each of these agenda templates is unique, but they all share one goal. The agenda template should serve as a framework for your meeting agenda. That meeting agenda should guide the meeting, moving faculty members to accomplish the tasks set forth. Whether it’s considered a guide, a map, or a tool, the agenda ensures every faculty meeting marches towards progress.