Meeting supplies
From AFSWiki
This article contains best practices related to supplies and equipment for meetings, orientations, workshops, etc.
Commonly-needed items:
- Dry-erase boards and/or chalkboards
- Flip chart and/or butcher paper
- Marking pens
- Chalk
- Masking tape
- Thumbtacks
- Stapler
- Paper clips
- Pens and pencils – for participants and volunteers
- Sticky notes
Depending on the site, you may be able to bring in your own audio-visual equipment, you may be able to use the facility’s equipment free of charge, or you may have to pay for the use of the facility’s equipment. It is best to ask ahead of time about their equipment use policy because it can be a major expense if you are required to use and pay for their equipment, something which is common for hotels as an example.
If you plan to use more sophisticated high-tech equipment, test using it before the orientation begins. The equipment can be confusing to use when you are in the midst of facilitating a meeting and the technology does occasionally fail. Though high-tech equipment can help you make snazzier presentations, the content rather than the technology should be the central focus of the orientation. As a backup to equipment failure, do have some low-tech options that you can rely on.
It is also important to make a list of the handouts you will need. Plan to make photocopies well in advance to avoid mishaps with faulty copying machines. Also, make more copies than you think you will need so that all participants receive their own materials. As a contingency, know where you can conveniently make more copies if you do run out.
