Stronger Communities for Children Knowledge-Sharing Seminar 1-2 November 2016, Katherine, NT. Presentation about steps involved in good decision-making.

1. Good Decision Making
Good governance is about how we make
good decisions. It’s not about making
‘correct’ decisions, but about the best
process for making those decisions.

2. • When decision-making processes are not
working well, complaints about lack of
information, inadequate consultation or
rowdy behaviour usually occurs.
• When this happens, it’s worth looking at the
whole process to see where problems are and
how they can be addressed.
Good Decision Making

3. Steps for a good meeting
• Calling a meeting
• Chairperson for the meeting
• Prepare an Agenda
• Keep minutes or notes
• Establish the Rules or a Code of Conduct
• Take Control and Stick to the Agenda
• Action List
• Discuss when the next meeting will be and where
• Close the meeting on time

4. Steps for a good meeting
Calling a meeting
Letting the right people know that a Meeting
has been called.
This might mean putting up a poster [with the
date/time/place], or ringing everyone or
sending out messages.

5. Chairperson for the meeting
A Chairperson can be elected at the meeting. The same
person can Chair each meeting or it can be someone
new each meeting.
A good Chairperson will start a meeting on time and
make sure it runs to the agenda. They will also ensure
that everyone has a say and stays focussed on the
issues in the agenda.
Steps for a good meeting

6. An Agenda should list what will happen during the meeting, example:
• Welcome and open the meeting
• Apologies/Declaration of Conflict of Interest
• Minutes from last meeting
• Report on Action list
• Program or Service Delivery Report
• Budget Report
• Any other business/date for next meeting
• Close the meeting
The Agenda shows the order of the meeting and ensures that important things are not forgotten.
Steps for a good meeting
Prepare an Agenda

7. Someone needs to be responsible for keeping minutes
or notes during the meeting.
The minutes are a record of your decision and any
other important information you want to record.
The minutes from the last meeting should be read and
approved at the each meeting.
Steps for a good meeting
Keep minutes or notes

8. A Committee or Board needs clear rules for;
• acceptable behaviour,
• how business is done,
• how many people for a quorum,
• how decisions are made and recorded.
You can make your own rules in your meetings.
Steps for a good meeting
Establish the Rules or a Code of Conduct

9. Start and end the Meeting on time.
If you run out of time for all the things on the
agenda, consider deferring some items to the
next meeting if possible.
Staying focussed on the agenda helps to keep
the meeting moving and on time.
Steps for a good meeting
Take Control and Stick to the Agenda

10. Record things that need to be done in an Action
List noting who is responsible.
The list can be attached to the minutes.
An Action List should be reviewed and updated
at each meeting.
Steps for a good meeting
Action List

11. Before closing the meeting discuss when the
next meeting will be and where it will be held.
Steps for a good meeting
Discuss when the next meeting will be and where

12. Close the meeting on time and thank everyone for their
attendance.
Steps for a good meeting
Close the meeting on time