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General Guidelines for Conducting Meetings
RMIA is a non-profit organization. Certain donations may be tax
deductible.
The Moderator:
The Moderator presides over the meeting to preserve order, propose
questions. The moderator will not answer questions if expertise
is in the room. The moderator defers to anyone else in the room
during question/answer dialogue. Moderator politely, but promptly,
interrupts if and when appropriate to keep the meeting moving.
Members / Service Providers:
Please do not be offended if you are interrupted by the moderator.
We have only a limited time for our meetings. We would all like
our questions answered to the fullest, but because of the time frame,
please limit the time for your question and answers. Be courteous
of other attendees who would like to ask questions. Do not hold
the floor.
Procedure:
- Be seated at the designated tables marked:
- Service Provider Memberships if you have paid the service provider's
membership fee. If you are a service provider but have not paid
the respective fee, please sit at the Members table.
- Members if you have paid the yearly membership fee.
- Attorney / Presenter sit at the head of the room.
- Guests please sit at the designated tables so that we can know
who you are and welcome you.
Start Time: The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
Introduction / Announcements:
Meeting is opened by the Moderator. You will acknowledge the moderator
as he/she will be wearing a badge.
Disclaimer: The attorney will give the disclaimer.
1st Half of Meeting:
The presenter, if present, will speak approximately 20-30 minutes.
During his/her presentation, please do not interrupt. Questions
(by members and guests) and answers will be after the presentation
for approximately 10 minutes (depending upon time).
If you desire to ask a question, please be recognized by the Presenter
/ Moderator by raising your hand. This will promote an orderly meeting.
If there is no presenter: the moderator will commence the meeting
in the traditional way by going around the table with an introduction
time. This is before break time and includes participation from
members and guests. The moderator will "recognize" the
member to his/her left and continue around the table in the same
fashion by asking the following questions: Who you are? Why you're
here? How did you learn about us?
Break Time:
Approximately about 7:30 p.m. and is a time for refreshments
and to personally talk/obtain materials with the Service Providers.
The average time is 10 minutes, depending upon the Moderator's discretion.
2nd Half of Meeting:
Question and Answer Time is for the active participation for the
members only. The Moderator begins this session and guides the discussion
by recognizing the member seated to the left of him/her and asking
that member, "Do you have a progress report? Do you have questions?"
Please raise your hand to be recognized by the moderator. Members
you may direct your question to a particular service provider /
individual or just ask, "Can anyone answer this for me?"
End Time:
Meeting is adjourned at 8:30 p.m. We need your immediate help
with clearing the room after the meeting by putting away the chairs
and tables. Remember: this is YOUR organization so please help if
you have the time and ability!! After the room is cleared, then
join in a time of networking with other inventors / service providers.
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