I. Problem-solving and decision-making A. Define and state exactly what the problem is. B. Clarify and elaborate as necessary. C. Develop alternate solutions. D. Test the consequences of proposed solutions. E. Test the responsibility and commitment to the emerging decision. F. Make the decision. G. Plan for the implementation of the decision. II. Actual planning A. Physical setting--give thought to the choice of room and arrangement of the furniture. Comfort of group members. Able to see each other well and react to each other as a group. Pleasant room, well-ventilated and well-lighted. If an ongoing group, give variety of surroundings from time to time. A work session should take place in a work setting, for instance around a table and not lounging in soft chairs. Have all equipment and other necessities in the room--avoid having to run for things after the meeting has begun. Have the room ready before the appointed time, and be sure the chairperson is there to greet the group. Make arrangements to put the room back in order before leaving.   B. Number of meetings, communication, timing Be sure everyone knows about the meeting. Reminders are in order on the day of or maybe the day before. Personal contact by telephone, note, or face-to-face is better than putting up a poster and hoping everyone sees it. Begin on time. Set a time limit and make every effort to end on time. Don't be careless with other people's time. If possible, set a time for the meeting well in advance so that everyone has a chance to block it off on their calendars. When the time has been agreed upon, this is a firm commitment--not to be set aside if something comes up later. Be fair about the number of meetings and the time taken for each. Avoid meetings after 10:00 p.m. if there is real work to be done. People cannot function creatively when they are tired and feeling under pressure to get at their late studies.   C. Make each meeting count--don't meet for the sake of meeting. Every group member must be involved in making meeting plans and committed to his/her responsibility with the group. He/she must know what this responsibility is and be encouraged to fulfill it. Set up your goals and objectives. Plan the year's program in advance but maintain some flexibility for change. Look into the needs of students on your campus and try to arrange a program to meet these needs. Enthusiasm is contagious--if you come prepared and enthusiastic as a chairperson the group will pick up on this--same goes for the flipside. Work with your advisor and use him/her as a resource person. Spend some time with him/her before the more important meetings. Try to have the meeting when he/she can attend and always notify him/her of group gatherings. Use the status quo and what happened last year as a point of departure, not as a sacred objective. Students should have four years of experience at the end of their college career, not one year repeated four times. Sending a replacement to a committee meeting is not the same as having the member there him/herself and should be discouraged.