A well-balanced program for the annual meeting consists of three general ingredients: business, information, and entertainment.

The business portion includes such matters as electing directors and amending organizational instruments.

The information phase is made up of reports by cooperative officials, discussion periods, talks by "outside" speakers and crop, livestock, and product exhibits and demonstrations.

Entertainment may be musical, a talent show, a contest in which members themselves participate, or a motivational or humorous speaker. Various types of food and refreshment events, such as barbecues and banquets, are good crowd generators.

Individuals or the committees responsible for building up the program must first decide what is to be included under each of the three classifications. They must next decide on the order of events. In considering the above, they must keep in mind the all-important matter of timing.

Timing of events should be such that the business, information, and entertainment parts of the program do not over- lap one another.

The meeting should neither drag nor run beyond a reasonable period. A definite closing time is as important as a definite starting time. Members appreciate knowing in advance when they will be able to return home, whether it is a daytime or a night session. Adjournment time should be listed on the program.

The time allotted to each subject, and its particular position on the program, should be carefully planned. Each speak- er should be given a definite limit on the length of presentation time. Adequate time should be allowed for discussion of reports and other matters.

Staging a successful annual meeting, like any other event in which a large number of people participate, requires a certain amount of showmanship. Showmanship is nothing more than holding the interest of a group or a crowd. Some of the fundamental factors to be kept in mind can be summarized in four simple "don'ts:"

Don't deaden the meeting by confining it exclusively to business and information.

Don't de-emphasize the importance of the business aspect of the meeting by over extending entertainment.

Don't let the meeting drag by including lengthy speeches or tedious reports, or by leaving empty gaps when nothing is happening.

Don't overcrowd the schedule and end up omitting some- thing toward the end or run overtime.