The meeting site should be conveniently located, have adequate seating capacity, and be comfortable from the standpoint of heat, light, ventilation, and other arrangements.

Surrounding conditions and attributes of the room itself should be considered. Outside disturbances divert attention and detract from the success of the gathering. Avoid nearby athletic events, traffic noises, building construction, and annoying distractions.

Parking and accessibility by public transportation are important.

Adequate seating capacity is necessary, of course. To invite people without providing adequate seating is both dis- courteous and uncomfortable. People standing, even around the edges of the room, are continually shifting and moving. This distracts the speakers and audience.

It should be possible to estimate fairly accurately the number likely to attend by considering the attendance at previous meetings, by talking to members from each community, and by other advance "checking." It is better to have a meeting site that is too large than one that is too small.

If the room is large, a public address system will be needed. The system should be tested before the meeting and some- one assigned to monitor its operation. Also, portable micro- phones can be scattered throughout the meeting room to encourage member participation. If portable microphones are used during question-and-answer periods, floor discussions, and times when nominations or motions are called for, designate persons to stand by to hand a microphone to those who wish to speak.

Arrangement of the room is also important. A rear entrance permits members to enter or leave with a minimum of confusion. Light should enter the room from the sides or the back, not the front.

A speaker's platform is desirable, particularly if the audience is large and the floor is not sloped. It helps if the rostrum is large enough to seat the board of directors, speakers, and other program participants. Equipment to project visual aids may be needed for speakers.

A convenient place to hang coats and hats should be provided. Sometimes, it works out best to have a separate check- room for wraps.

Restroom facilities should be available, adequate, and plainly marked. The meeting site should be decorated appropriately for the occasion. This may include the use of banners, flags, charts, and other items that help to give the meeting a "co-op" atmosphere.