What is the best way to schedule a volunteer meeting?

[eyesroll]

Poll question: What is the best way to schedule a volunteer meeting?

Group's about 7 very busy people with differing schedules, communication is via an email list. This is a brainstorming meeting; no one person is essential, but everyone would like to be there.

No "other." Assume just brainstorming via e-mail is not an option (much as I'd like it to be).

Testing a theory here.

[LostinVA]

1. Herding Cats: It doesn't matter what you do, it'll be Chaos!

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I selected dictator.

Having had to schedule multiple meetings with volunteers, the democratic majority approach, while good in theory, is chaotic in practice.

[eyesroll]

7. I'm right now trying to work with a group that wants to operate on consensus.

It started off as dictator, then someone complained ("whine whine whine I can't be there at 5 can we make it 8"), and the dictator got overthrown.

:grr:

It's going predictably.

[Fenris]

3. Dictator

Having a single person set up the meeting means there's a set schedule that anyone who wants to attend can and there is little allowance for people with objections to the time, who can simply not attend since it is volunteer. The dictator is compelled by the volunteer nature of the meeting to pick a time he feels would be most convenient for everyone because he doesn't want to be sitting alone in a conference room.

[Breeze54]

4. Invite them to a party!!! Mention FOOD and free booze!

:P

:rofl:

Throw out some possible dates for the meeting and get feedback from the attendee's>

Then narrow it down. Avoid weekends, Friday's and holidays.

[Connonym]

6. perfect answer!

[DS1]

5. Punch and pie

[MrCoffee]

8. at gunpoint.

rule them with an iron fist.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. Anything more than three people = dictator mode

Unless you get too many 'nos', just pick a time when you think most will be available and run with it. it's too hard to coordinate schedules, and if you pick a time, chances are that people will shuffle around that.