Public Meeting Setup

At least one month before meeting

  • Have final title, abstract, and speaker bio.
  • Make sure the speaker knows about the venue details.
  • If you are going to record the meeting, you must get permission from the speaker in advance. Do not assume that the speaker will just be okay with it.
  • Schedule meeting in IEEE vTools and/or Eventbrite.
  • Send meeting information to newsletter editors.

Before meeting

  • Contact the venue to double-check on setup.
  • Contact the speaker with a reminder of timing and venue details. Provide a cell phone number for emergency support if lost.
  • Decide who will be ordering the food.
  • Make sure someone can bring water, plates, and napkins.
  • Make sure someone can bring a spare laptop just in case.
  • Print door signs for meeting so folks do not get lost.
  • Print certificates of appreciation.
  • Print speaker bio for introduction.

Day before meeting

  • Send reminder to IEEE-BV-CS list.
  • Emphasize meeting location.

Afternoon of meeting (~3 PM)

  • Print sign-in sheets from Eventbrite responses.
  • Order pizza.  Best value – CostCo food court:  805-578-3330 (Moorpark) or 818-597-3908 (Westlake Village).
    • Pizzas are $10/each plus tax.  Save the receipt!
    • Heuristic is for every 6 RSVPs, order 1 pizza.
    • Rough mix is 1/3 combo pizzas, 1/3 pepperoni, and 1/3 cheese.
    • CostCo food court accepts cash or Visa.
    • Order pizzas for pick-up ~6 PM.  It takes at least 20 minutes to get to La Reina from either CostCo.
    • Domino’s Pizza is also an option.  We were eligible for a discount from them, but I believe the business has changed hands.

Meeting setup

  • Put a slideshow on the screen, e.g.
  • Greet guests and ask them to sign in.
  • Greet speaker and get presentation up.

Meeting intro

  • Computer Society pitch.
    • Starting March 1, new members can join for half price. ($20 for student membership; $63 for affiliate membership) -or-
    • Starting August 15, new members can join and receive benefits through end of next year ($40 for student membership; $126 for affiliate membership)
  • Mention volunteer opportunities.
  • Mention upcoming events.
  • Introduce speaker.

Meeting close

  • Thank speaker and present thank you certificate or gift.
  • Mention the topic and date of the next meeting or two.
  • Remind people to sign in before they leave (really).

Meeting teardown

  • Turn off projector.
  • Make sure the room is tidy.
  • Take out trashcans.
  • Take down signs.

After meeting

  • Review the sign-in sheet, and write down anyone you know at the meeting who forgot to sign in (yes, really).
  • Count the number of members and non-members who attended, and complete the IEEE “L31” meeting report.
  • Submit expense report to Section Treasurer. You must include receipts.