Page 15 - Branch Leader Guide

Branch Leader Guide

has any expertise that could be useful to the branch or the CMTA, like computer skills,
media experience or coordinating large events.

Ceremony – Keep Them Coming Back
–CMTA Branch Co-Leader and Advisory Board member Thomas Meloche

Ceremony adds positive emotional energy to meetings and events, improving the
participant engagement. Organizations throw events all the time. Most events can be
improved through the application of a small amount of ceremony.

The Ann Arbor Michigan CMTA Branch has the following ceremonial structure for our
meetings:

First, we formally open the meeting by reading aloud the parent organization’s mission:

Leader says:

“Hello, my name is (insert name), and I am the leader for this meeting of the Ann
Arbor CMTA Branch.

Our mission is to support the development of new drugs to treat CMT, to improve
the quality of life for people with CMT, and, ultimately, to find a cure. Our vision is
a world without CMT.”

This mission statement is projected on the wall as it is read aloud. It is a simple
yet powerful way to open the event. It establishes why everyone is there.

Second, we formalize and structure announcements. Each announcement is projected
onto the wall as it is made. Most of the announcements introduce those in attendance to
CMTA resources. These are repeated at each meeting and are limited to five minutes.
Announcements are important, but quick. Announcements that occur at every meeting
include signing-up for the eNewsletter, signing up for membership and identifying the
nearest CMTA Center of Excellence.

Third, we formally introduce one branch member to the group and have that member do
a short five-minute presentation on him/herself or a topic. At large events with lots of
people in attendance, it takes emotional energy to have everyone introduce him/herself
to the whole group: It takes too long and names are quickly forgotten. Instead, the
facilitator introduces him/herself and one person from the group. The person the
facilitator introduces is asked to stand up front and answer a few short questions about
him/herself. It is personal and special and now the group as a whole knows one

15