This Is Why I Hate December Meetings

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses the challenges and experiences related to holding meetings in December among Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share their frustrations with attendance and the impact of holiday commitments on meeting participation.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses frustration over last-minute cancellations for a cookie bake meeting, noting that several team members did not attend despite prior commitments.
  • Another participant shares their experience of low turnout at their December meeting, highlighting that only four people showed up despite reminders.
  • Several users mention that December is a difficult month for meetings due to holiday activities and commitments, with one participant noting they skip December meetings altogether.
  • One participant suggests that a cookie exchange might be more successful than a cookie bake, as it allows for participation without the need for preparation.
  • Another participant describes their team's approach of having a Christmas party instead of a regular meeting, which includes a potluck and gift exchange, resulting in better attendance.
  • One participant mentions that their cluster meeting had a decent turnout, with seven attendees, despite some last-minute cancellations.
  • Another participant notes that their team traditionally holds a cluster party in December, which has been successful in the past.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of December meetings, with some participants expressing frustration over attendance while others share successful experiences with alternative formats like parties or exchanges. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach for December gatherings.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and observations about the impact of holiday schedules on meeting attendance, reflecting a variety of strategies employed to engage team members during this busy time.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights into managing December meetings and understanding the challenges faced by peers in similar situations may find this discussion relevant.

N
Nanisu
Gold Member
Messages
1,199
Me (at our meeting in November): ?Do we want to have a cluster meeting in December? In the past it's been hard because everyone is so busy".

Team: "No, of course we want to!!!! Let's do a cookie exchange"

Me: "Ok, if we do a cookie bake, can everyone bring something for the recipes?"

Team: "Great idea. This will be so fun!!!!"

2 weeks later, send out ingredients lists. 1 week ago, follow up. Yesterday, follow up again.

Meeting is in 30 minutes, house is clean, gifts are bought and wrapped for the team, and 3 of them TEXT me to tell me they aren't coming. 30 minutes before the meeting. Oh and of course their ingredients won't come either.


This is why I hate December meetings.
 
You should definitely let them know how this affects you. People don't get it.
 
next time, don't do a cookie BAKE, do it as a swap. They bring already made cookies- so if they don't come, it doesn't ruin the whole thing and everyone else can still enjoy. sorry they bailed on you though.
 
I am so right there with you. At my Nov meeting I reminded everyone of the date of our Dec meeting and they all fussed & begged me to reschedule it to the 14th. Wanna guess how many showed up tonight? 4
 
I agree, a cookie exchange is just that ... bring cookies & swap them with the other participants. They wanted a cookie exchange, and you changed it to a project at the meeting. Big difference. ;)But I do agree with you that they should have given more warning that they were not coming. :(
 
As much as I hate missing a month, I do skip December meetings. Things are too crazy and as much as it sounds like fun to get together, people end up cancelling. They are like me...every year somehow I have forgot how crazy things get with wrapping up PC parties, last minute orders and then having to do my Christmas activities! Last year I ended up not even putting up a tree. This year the tree is up and luckily it is pre-lit. Other than that, it is bare!!!
 
Ours was tonight and it was only me, my director (we share meetings), one team member and my new recruit who signed today. It does kind of stink. I was hoping for a better turn out.
 
We don't have a regular meeting, but a Christmas party. We have dinner, do a gift exchange, and just spend time getting to know one another on a more personal level. Recognition that would normally be done in December is added to the January meeting--double recognition.
 
We had a great meeting last night. We are just starting to organize them ... my cluster and a director on the island & her cluster. The director was hosting the last 2 months. I didn't get to attend the 1st one, but at the Nov meeting - me & one of my recruits were the only 2 that showed up. I organized the December meeting & had 7 of us here (9 had RSVP'd but 2 didn't show up).If December is a bad month to hold a cluster meeting, I can't wait to see our turnout in January!!! :D
 
we do it as a party, we invite the spouses and have a potluck first, then recognition (its fun for the spouses to see and helps the spouses of consultants who don't sell as much see the "Bigger" picture.) and do an ornament exchange. we always have a great turnout
 
You're right, December is a hard month for meetings. (But I've found that to be true just about every month with my team.) I do think that you should put a blurb in your next newsletter/communique to the effect that "the cookie bake was fun, even though last-minute cancellations affected the ingredients."My team has traditionally had a cluster party instead of training for our December event. This year, we're meeting at a restaurant. And we always do it AFTER the order deadline but before Christmas (and not on a weekend, because those are always busy during the holiday season with family commitments). I'm going to jot down some of the ideas people have shared to use in the future.
 
Aww, Nancy, I'm sorry. I would have been there, if it wasn't for the distance, you know it!
 
We had our "meeting" last night but it was really a christmas party. Everyone is supposed to bring an appetizer or dessert but considering the amount of people there in relation to food I think a lot of people skipped that!:) Oh well. We always do a chinese auction as well. We had a lot more people than we normally do because one of our SD's advanced directors has recently left and she has more people in her immediate downline and there are more people. We didn't even get to desserts till after 9 and we usually end it around 9! And we started the party a 1/2 hour earlier than our normal meeting time for the monthly cluster meeting! It was fun though there was a lot of stealing going on!:)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do many consultants dislike December meetings?

Many consultants find December meetings challenging due to the busy holiday season, which often leads to lower attendance and engagement. People are preoccupied with holiday preparations, making it difficult to focus on business discussions.

What are common themes discussed in December meetings?

Common themes include holiday sales strategies, planning for the upcoming year, and sharing tips for managing time effectively during the busy season. Some meetings may also focus on celebrating achievements and recognizing top performers from the past year.

How can I make December meetings more effective?

To enhance December meetings, consider incorporating fun holiday themes, interactive activities, or virtual formats to accommodate busy schedules. Additionally, setting clear objectives and focusing on actionable strategies can help keep participants engaged.

Are there any benefits to holding meetings in December?

Yes, December meetings can provide an opportunity to reflect on the year's successes, set goals for the new year, and foster team camaraderie. They can also serve as a platform to motivate and inspire consultants during a time when they may feel overwhelmed.

What should I do if I can't attend a December meeting?

If you can't attend a December meeting, communicate with your team leader or host to catch up on what you missed. Many teams provide meeting notes or recordings, and you can also reach out to colleagues for insights and key takeaways.

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