Resources for HBS clubs and other peer groups

Great questions that lead to deep updates

An update alternative: Ask members to answer one or more of these questions

Great questions that lead to deep updates

An update alternative: Ask members to answer one or more of these questions

There are many ways to encourage forum members to share during the updates part of the meeting.  One of the simplest approaches is to ask members the following questions.  Each person can then decide which question(s) resonate with them and which they will answer when they share their update.

  • What is the toughest relationship challenge (personal or professional) that you are facing now?
  • What is the toughest leadership challenge you are facing now?
  • What is the greatest fear you have now?
  • What is going on in your life right now that you have not spoken with anyone about? What are you hiding?
  • What are you complaining about, blaming others for, or notice yourself playing the villain, victim, or hero?
  • What are you not sharing because you don’t want to seem perfect?
  • What is something that you don’t like about yourself that you are working on?

Whichever question(s) members choose to answer, encourage everyone to also answer one more question:

  • … and how does that make you feel?

No items found.

Related blogs

Preview

There are many ways to encourage forum members to share during the updates part of the meeting.  One of the simplest approaches is to ask members the following questions.  Each person can then decide which question(s) resonate with them and which they will answer when they share their update.

  • What is the toughest relationship challenge (personal or professional) that you are facing now?
  • What is the toughest leadership challenge you are facing now?
  • What is the greatest fear you have now?
  • What is going on in your life right now that you have not spoken with anyone about? What are you hiding?
  • What are you complaining about, blaming others for, or notice yourself playing the villain, victim, or hero?
  • What are you not sharing because you don’t want to seem perfect?
  • What is something that you don’t like about yourself that you are working on?

Whichever question(s) members choose to answer, encourage everyone to also answer one more question:

  • … and how does that make you feel?

Other webinars

Other useful resources

FILTER BY
Individual Forums
Group health & values
Group health & values
Meeting agendas
Meeting agendas
Ice breakers
Ice breakers
Updates
Updates
Presentations
Presentations
Exercises
Exercises
Leadership
Leadership
Membership
Membership
Inspiration/Readings
Inspiration/Readings
Tools & Technology
Tools & Technology
World Events & Forum
World Events & Forum
HBS clubs & other peer groups
Program design services
Governance
Governance
Marketing
Marketing
Placement and Launch
Placement and Launch
Ongoing support
Ongoing support
When a longstanding forum member has dementia
Considerations and options when a forum needs to balance between serving and supporting one member and ensuring overall forum health and value
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Health Survey
Use this survey to assess how your forum is doing and what you might want to change.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Exercises when a forum dissolves
An invitation to look backwards, reflect and express gratitude at your final meeting.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Building Your Legacy
Legacy and eventualities: The spiritual and practical dimensions of confronting our own mortality
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Heart Warmers
A series of questions to ask at your upcoming forum meetings.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Responding to crises around the world: A forum approach
Questions to spark sharing about the personal and business impact of world events on us.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Giving and Receiving Feedback
What is feedback? In this one-hour session, we will expand your understanding of why a focus on the past might not be as productive as a focus on the future. Learn tips and tools for giving and receiving feedback. This interactive session will combine learning and experiential content. A community session with fellow forum members to learn from the experts and help all of us maintain and renew our forums.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Community Spotlight: Shelby Scarbrough on Civility and Forum
How you can bring a spirit and practice of civility to forum (and to the rest of your life!)
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
On being a “tough love” forum
In forum we push each other to share our deepest issues, and we provide constructive feedback that helps all members learn and grow.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Managing the Key Dimensions of a Forum Meeting
In this webinar, expert facilitator Barry Kaplan takes you systematically through the four key dimensions of managing a forum meeting: time, space, energy, and content. These guidelines apply whether your forum meeting is virtual, in-person or hybrid. Barry also describes how an exploration of “core regrets” (inspired by Daniel Pink’s The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward) can be the basis for a great forum discussion.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Moments that Matter
An update form designed to highlight one specific challenge and its emotional significance
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Learn with the Experts & Best Practice Sharing
A community call to learn from and with the experts and help all of us maintain and renew our forums.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Responding to the crisis in Ukraine: A forum approach
World events are on our minds. How can forum help us process our emotions and consider our choices?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Best Practices for Coaching and Presentations
Good presentations come from good coaching. Follow this step-by-step guide.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
When a forum member's parent dies
Personal loss is inevitable. How can forum help and support us at these times?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Making the Most Of Your Forum Updates
The core of a great forum meeting is a great presentation with quality experience sharing. Working backwards, that rests on great updates that are meaningful, deep, and important.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Moderator Resources and Best Practices
An overview of great forum resources with specific book and website references
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
"Flipped" Updates
To mix it up, invite every member to prepare a question they would like to ask each other member.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Resolving conflicts in forum
Assessing the types of conflict that arise in forum, and sharing methods to address them.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Annual Calendar Planning
A framework and questions to set your forum's meetings for the coming year
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
When a member misses a meeting (with a non-emergency excuse)
Questions to reflect on when members are missing meetings for reasons that do not seem urgent
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s advice for marriage… and for forum
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg shares wisdom worth keeping in mind during forum meetings.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Nine Nonobvious Ways to Have Deeper Conversations
The art of making connection in forum even in a time of dislocation
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Upon meeting in-person again: A ritual of reconnection
After months and months on Zoom, consider doing this exercise at the beginning of your first in-person meeting
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Transitioning from all-virtual meetings to the new "normal"
Questions to consider as your forum weighs whether to meet virtually, in-person, or some combination
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Designing your life - Pathways to discuss purpose and priorities
What's my purpose? How can I build a life I can thrive in? A webinar sharing exercises to begin answering these questions.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Me and My Money Discussion Outline
Facilitating discussions about the sensitive topic of money and personal finances
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Exercise after a forum member resigns from the group
When a member departs, it's important for remaining members to learn from that experience
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
New Forums and New Member Integration Exercises
A variety of connection exercises to help members get to know each other better
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Guidelines for an "open coached" presentation
Use this process to have everyone observe and participate in the coaching process
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Emotions thesaurus - How are you really feeling
Use this list of emotions to encourage members to share their feelings
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Generic Forum Agenda Worksheet Template
Create you own agenda based on the number of members and time per section
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Powerful Endings: What am I taking away from today’s meeting?
The value of allocating specific time to reflect on new insights, questions and actions
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What’s Next? Transitioning from all-virtual forum meetings to the new “normal”
Guiding your forum from Zoom back to (some) in-person meetings
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Guiding principles to discuss race (and other potentially contentious issues) in forum
Reviewing core principles to keep a forum discussion productive and valuable
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Should I travel or not? Reflections on risk, return and priorities
In a time of pandemic, forum can be a great place to talk through complicated travel decisions
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Can we talk about race and racial inequality in our forum
Questions and guidelines to discuss race and racial attitudes
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
HBS Alumnae Circles - Exercise ideas
A treasury of exercises and icebreakers to use in your forum or circle meetings
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Club or special interest group-initial email
Examples of simple outreach emails to determine interest in your region or special interest group
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Taking a Look at Ourselves: A Meta Approach to Forum
Getting up on the "balcony" to make conscious choices about the shared leadership of your forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Icebreaker: What's on your keychain, in your wallet, on your phone?
What you carry around with you every day may say alot about what you value
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The Power of Alumni Forums
Bob Halperin shares the story of how his YPO experience led him to create the HBS Alumni Forum program
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Value Based Update Form
A different take: Prepare value-based updates based on each member’s core values
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Alternative Update Form
In each area of your life, what are your goals, concerns and feelings? What gives you energy? What takes your energy?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
AFS Standard Updates Form
A classic update form: Looking forward, looking backwards, what’s going on in my business, family, and personal life?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Scheduling an orientation
Ready to launch a new forum, request to complete a Doodle poll to schedule
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Reminder of the orientation
Final reminder notice about upcoming forum orientation
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Email to an existing forum proposing a candidate
Email to propose new candidate to an existing forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Profile completion email
Email invitation to pay forum fee and confirm interest to be placed in a forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Placement tracking spreadsheet
Spreadsheet to track new profiles, those in placement, and current forums with their new member requests
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Orientation fee confirmation email
Email confirming fee payment, explanation of next steps
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Invitation to join a new forum
Email offering a place in a new forum, conflict check, scheduling orientation
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Email to a candidate offering a forum placement
Email to connect a candidate to an existing forum, complete a conflict check, and arrange to meet
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Confirming the orientation
Email to confirm orientation date, request volunteer to host
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
HBS club/Special Interest Group guidelines for running an alumni forum program
Overview of why and how to launch and run an alumni forum program in your local club or special interest group
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Outreach to previously interested alumni
Email to alumni who expressed interest in the past
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Newsletter item
A one-paragraph blurb about forums to include in a club newsletter or email
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Marketing email samples
Sample email templates for forum promotional campaigns
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Club webpage samples
Sample text about alumni forums for a club website
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Sample forum purpose statement
A sample statement of purpose and principles
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Meeting Assessment Form
A quick member survey of how your meetings are going
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Guidelines
A list of principles that forums can review, discuss, revise and make their own
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Sample Constitution-from Orientation Manual
An editable one-page forum constitution (set of norms)
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Turning Points and Milestones
A short exercise to share key times when your life moved significantly in a different direction
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The Brown Bag Exercise
Getting to know forum members by sharing ten objects that represent your life.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
SMART goals - accountability template
A template for members to set S.M.A.R.T. goals and be held accountable by the forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Healing Conflict-Clearing the Air
A structured process to clear the air when conflicts arise in forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Alignment of purpose exercise
Personal growth, professional growth, friendship: What do different members want to get out of forum?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What regrets do you have now? How will you feel on your deathbed?
5 things people regret most on their deathbed
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Presentation process explanation
An annotated description of a classic forum presentation process
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Presentation Preparation Worksheet
A coaching worksheet and presentation outline
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Coaching and the Presentation Process
An overview of the coaching process with examples plus an annotated guide to the presentation process
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Monthly Update-MITy WISE
An update form focused on the Most Important Things to share with your forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Sample First Meeting Agenda-adding new members & constitution review
First meeting agenda after orientation, including adding new members and constitution review
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Communication Starters
Questions to use as icebreakers as a regular meeting or retreat
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Sample In-person Meeting Agenda
A standard 4-hour meeting agenda
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Best practices for virtual forum meetings in the age of coronavirus
Virtual meeting norms plus icebreakers, exploration topics, and sample agendas
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Wartime meeting agenda
An alternative agenda with shorter updates and rapid sharing of support and help for all members
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
New Forum Agendas for a Time of Crisis
"Wartime" agendas with new icebreaker, update and presentation options
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
AFS forum presentation wheel
After updates, consider these options in place of a traditional presentation
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
AFS forum presentation wheel - explanation
Explanations of possible choices instead of a traditional presentation
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Beyond Forum Presentations
Exploring options beyond a traditional presentation after forum updates
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Icebreaker questions - sorted by emotion
Icebreakers and communication starters related to joy, gratitude, sadness, fear, anger and other emotions
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
From Life's Tornado to Presence in Forum
Tips and techniques to be fully present in forum including how you prep, shift your attitude, participate, and share an awesome update
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Retreat! Your Forum Needs to Work and Play
How to make the case for the value of a forum retreat
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Creating your own icebreakers
Ice breaker ideas -- and encouragement to create your own!
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Tools at Work – The Value of a Single Word
One valuable tool used in Forum is the One word open/close. Did you ever consider its value at work?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The Power of Vulnerability
Brene Brown's TED Talk can be a great conversation starter in forum.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Selecting your forum's next moderator
Considering the different ways to select your forum’s next moderator
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Jazz up your monthly updates with family photos
Consider sharing a photo or two of important family members during your update.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Taking Your Forum From Good to Great
Powerful questions that can help a forum think about its desired future state.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Your Forum: Moving from Head to Heart
Lessons from the Godfather: With many business ("head" centered) issues, there is also a personal ("heart" centered) dimension.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Clearing the Air
How your forum can practice clearing the air.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
"if you really knew me"
A classic icebreaker to deepen connections, build trust, and get to know each other better.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Bragging about Forum participation to your boss
Making the case for forum to your boss or HR department.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What if a member says "Just tell me what to do!"
Why it's better to share experience, instead of rushing to give advice.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Questions to ask when you are coaching a Forum presenter
The job of the coach is not to answer the presenter’s question but to help the presenter ask the right questions.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The least likely, but most valuable, source of experience
Stories that illustrate why sharing experience can be more valuable than giving advice
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The Forum Value Chain
Great presentations and member explorations are built on a multi-layered foundation.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Exercise: What Motivates Us
An exercise to explore the motivations and constraints that drive us.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Moral Humility and Your Forum
HBS Dean Nitin Noria on "moral humility," and how your forum can help
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
When a Forum works (and doesn't)
Lessons from Seth Godin on what makes a forum work.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Parting the Curtain
The writer Eudora Welty's insights on the power of forum.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Updates – one more round
To help foster good and trusting relationships in your Forum, consider doing one more round after your Forum’s regular monthly updates.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
How Far Will You Go? Questions to Test Your Limits
A great collection of icebreakers to use at your next meeting, retreat or forum dinner.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
I'm really, really busy. Is now the right time to join a Forum?
Ironically, if you are so busy you don’t see how you can take on another obligation; this may be exactly the right time to commit to a monthly Forum meeting.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The challenge (and opportunity) of members with previous Forum experience
What never and more experienced forum members can learn from each other.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The value of advance, in-person presentation coaching
Take the time to coach in advance and the presenter and all members will benefit.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Once a year try ANNUAL, instead of monthly updates
Updates that focus on the full year, past or upcoming, are a creative way to reframe your monthly updates.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Attending your Forum meeting virtually – the right way to do it
Best practices when one are more members are joining your forum meeting remotely.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Icebreaker ideas and conversation starters
More icebreaker ideas for your next forum meeting
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
An evergreen forum topic: Dealing with aging parents
An exercise to help your forum address a topic that almost everyone has dealt with or will deal with
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What I'm most ashamed about myself
Shame: Are we ready to discuss this in our forum?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Best practices when a new member joins your forum
Consider these ideas to smoothly add a new member to your forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Refreshing your monthly updates
Moving your updates from travelogues to emotional impact and significance
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
How healthy is your forum? How would you rate it?
Assess your forum on these six dimensions and then discuss what you might want to do differently
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What's on Your Moral Bucket List?
How are you cultivating your "resume" virtues vs. your "eulogy" virtues?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum Commitments: Two Questions Every Member Should Answer
Discussing your forum's goals and setting its norms
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The Final Frontier: Starting a Conversation in Your Forum about Money
Exercises and icebreakers related to money and personal finances
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
If I was 10 times bolder
Challenge yourself in life and as you prepare your forum update
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Moving from "I" to "We"
HBS Prof. Bill George on how a new framing opens up new possibilities
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Business topics for your forum
Business and leadership issues to explore in forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The top five regrets of the dying
Exploring regrets as a powerful catalyst for forum conversation
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
How to live wisely: Some questions for your forum
A forum exercise focused on reflecting on your life
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Dilbert (and his boss) on the perils of giving advice
Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, on why telling people what to do (giving advice) is fraught with peril
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
So Your Values Live On: Sharing Your Leadership Legacy
Forum exercises to discuss your legacy and "ethical will"
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Confirming and Committing to Your Forum's Operating Principles
Reviewing forum principles and commitments and identifying possible ways you can do better
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Updates that Lead to Great Presentations
Alternative approaches to updates that get to the deepest issues
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Bill George on the Power of Forum
Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic and current HBS professor, has offered a wealth of wisdom to forums over the years.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Paying it backward: An exercise in self-reflection and gratitude
Helping members identify sources of gratitude and then taking action
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Tackling life's hardest challenges: Have you articulated your forum's purpose?
Learning from the example of one forum's beautiful summary of goals, expectations, and responsibilities
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Putting a bow on it: How (and how not) to conclude a forum meeting
Options and possibilities to end your forum meeting in the best possible way
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Updates focused on business and leadership
An alternative update form to ensure business value from your forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Should a member take a sabbatical from their forum?
Factors in deciding whether a member should leave the forum temporarily
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What Google learned from its quest to build the perfect team
Google’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and productivity of its teams offer useful lessons for our forums
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Five Essential Questions in Life and in Forum
Five key questions to ask ourselves regularly in life and in forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Safe and known, known and safe
A beautiful poem can inspire our forums
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The value of forum explained in two cartoons
Gary Larson's cartoons explain the benefits of forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum leadership: The role of the moderator
Guidelines for selecting and serving as your forum's moderator
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
When two forum members begin dating
How to respond when two members of your forum begin dating.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
On the virtues of joining a "younger" forum
How older forum members can think about the value of younger members
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Should our forum add new members?
Factors to consider in deciding whether to add new members or not
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum updates: Two powerful questions
Instead of a formal update forms, simply ask members to complete one or both of these sentences
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The right way to add new members to your forum
A thoughtful process for adding new members and ensuring successful integration
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Financial planning: A great forum topic
Talking about money and finances can be great vehicle for forums to go deeper, leading to greater levels of vulnerability, trust, and insight.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Great questions that lead to deep updates
An update alternative: Ask members to answer one or more of these questions
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Would you steal your forum mate's computer or car?
Weighing the cost to the forum of arriving late, and how to avoid it
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The "ABC" shared model of forum leadership
An alternative model of shared forum leadership where everyone contributes and benefits
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Who is presenting at your forum meeting today?
Alternative methods to decide who is presenting at your forum meeting
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
It's the hard days who determine who you are
Sheryl Sandberg, FaceBook's COO, talks not of what she has learned in life, but of what she has learned in death
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Possible conflicts: Can I be in forum with this person?
Addressing potential conflicts with a candidate you are considering adding to your forum
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The power of pairs: A new approach to your presentation parking lot
Pairing up to generate a rich parking lot of possible presentation topics
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
The many alternatives to a standard four-hour meeting
Consider these options to accommodate individual scheduling needs, and to build richer connections between members
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Exploring spirituality and religion in forum
Our religious and spiritual beliefs and practices can be a powerful theme to explore in forum.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
A forum #METOO exercise
It is sometimes said that sex and intimacy are the final frontiers of forum.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Can we ever be fully free of judgment?
Thinking deeply about our own judgments and those of others
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
"ERMIA" Updates
An update variation: What do you Eliminate, Reduce, Maintain, Increase, or Add since our last meeting?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Holding each other accountable in forum
A powerful use of forum: Serving as accountability "witnesses" for each other
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
"Tweeting" your update
Shakespeare opined that “brevity is the soul of wit." What's your 140-character update this month?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Needs and leads
How to help forum mates in concrete and specific ways
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Mixing up your updates: High, Low, Medium, Rocky
Inspired by a grade school jump-rope game, “High, Low, Medium, Rocky,” try mixing up your updates with this approach.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum exercise: Hiring in a tight labor market
If forum members are struggling to hire great new employees, consider doing this exercise at your meeting.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum sparks: Watch a TED talk!
Watching an inspiring, provocative TED talk can be the beginning of a great forum conversation.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Where would you "seat" yourself today?
A New Yorker cartoon as an ice breaker or update spark
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Exploring strengths and weaknesses
Can a forum conversation help you see your strengths and weaknesses more clearly?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Meeting with a potential new forum member: What do we discuss?
A suggested agenda when members meet a potential candidate
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Michelle Obama's Becoming as a forum exercise: Becoming me. Becoming more. Becoming us.
How can our forum support each of us in becoming more of who we want to be?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Reviewing the Past Decade, and Visioning for the Next Decade
An update alternative: Zooming out to review the past decade and envision the next decade
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Top Tips for Moderators
Take to heart these tips and you can be a successful moderator
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
An invitation to "brave space"
May our forums be brave spaces that we create and nourish together
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Forum in the age of coronavirus
Valuing forum while staying flexible in difficult times
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Ten tips for awesome virtual forum meetings
Best practices when your forum must meet virtually
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
For the unprecedented times in which we now live: Forum update questions
How does the situation or challenge make you feel? How can the forum help?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Moving to a "wartime" forum footing
Extraordinary times call for new modes of engagement, including more focused, rapid response to member challenges
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Who do I choose to be during the COVID-19 crisis?
A forum exercise: Moving from fear to learning to growth
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Meeting in pairs to build deeper forum connections
A structured way for forum members to connect between regular meetings.
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Reacting, Adapting and Growing in the Time of COVID-19
Forum is the ideal place to talk through how we are responding to unprecedented challenges
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
What should I share during my forum update?
Are we supposed to just pick one thing or several or one from each category (business, family, personal)? Can you provide any guidance for how to choose?
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values
Masked and unmasked updates
In forum we take off both our physical and our “psychological” masks and discuss what really matters
All
Ongoing support
Placement and Launch
Marketing
Governance
Program design services
World Events & Forum
Tools & Technology
Inspiration/Readings
Membership
Leadership
Exercises
Presentations
Updates
Ice breakers
Meeting agendas
Group health & values