Information, Education and Communication: Public Meeting


What is it?

It is broadly a meeting of heterogeneous participants where in certain formation is passed on for consideration and future action.

Advantages:

  1. Large numbers of people can be reached.
  2. Serves as a preparatory stage for other methods.
  3. Group psychology can be used in promoting the programme.
  4. Reactions of the people to a programme can be assessed.
  5. Personal acquaintance can be promoted.
  6. Prestige of the local people can be boosted.
  7. All kinds of subjects can be introduced.
  8. Adoption of practices can be accomplished at low cost.


Limitations:

  1. Meeting-place and facilities are not always adequate.
  2. Scope for discussion is 1imited except possibly for a few questions and answers.
  3. Handing the topic becomes difficult because of mixed composition of audience.
  4. Circumstances beyond control like factions and weather might reduce the attendance.


How to conduct public meetings?

A meeting needs planning as well as preparation. This could be done by adopting the following steps:

  1. Discuss the purpose with the supervisory personne1 before employing this method.
  2. Consult local leaders and draw up a tentative programme.
  3. Secure speakers for the meeting.
  4. Arrange social and recreational features.
  5. advertise meeting in advance.
  6. Ensure participation of all sections.


While conducting the meeting, the following points are to be borne in mind:

  1. Conduct the meeting preferably in a central place with good seating arrangements, lighting and ventilation.
  2. Choose the meeting date during seasons of light farm work.
  3. Hold meetings in day-time as far as possible where homesteads are scattered.
  4. Be prompt in starting and closing the meeting.
  5. Focus attention on the purpose of the day's meeting, though giving allowance for liberal discussions. Avoid sharp conflicts.
  6. Use of illustrative material, if available, is commended.
  7. Take advantage of group psychology and employ appeals to arouse interest and stimulate action.
  8. Give recognition to all sections and group participating .
  9. Associate local leaders at least for welcoming the gathering or thanking the participants, if not for presiding.
  10. Acknowledge services briefly.
  11. Indicate the follow-up work proposed, if any.
  12. Prepare news stores of the meeting and publicise.
  13. If possible, arrange for exhibitions and film shown.
  14. Hand out relevant folders or pamphlets at the time of break off.