Notes from HANDBOOK FOR THE POSITIVE REVOLUTION by Edward De Bono

How to Run an E-Club

Purpose

"To provide a setting for the development, exercise and enjoyment of effectiveness through the designing and setting of tasks and projects and the carrying through of these tasks and projects. An E-Club may not carry out any action which is illegal or immoral or harmful to any living creature or the environment. The value of the tasks and projects must be clearly defined in advance. E-Clubs should not be used for political purposes."

An E-Club is an Effectiveness Club. Effectiveness is setting out to do something and doing it. Effectiveness is a skill you can develop. Achievement is very fulfilling.

An E-Club gives you an opportunity for achievement in an area you choose. It may be involved in several tasks at once. It also has a social aspect. It allows you to be constructive in action.

An E-Club is made up of people who meet periodically to set themselves action tasks and report on the progress of those tasks. Since effectiveness is a combination of thinking and doing, it involves thinking that designs and sets the task, thinking that plans the execution of the task, and then the doing necessary to carry through the task.

The Tasks

Every E-Club compiles its own catalogue of tasks. Members of the club conceive and design tasks. The tasks should provide value which should not be at the expense of others or damage the environment.

Some of the tasks should be easy and achievable to build up skill and confidence.

One task that is always part of the E-Club routine is the monthly party. This task is given to two of the members.

Report Back

At each E-Club meeting a report is made on the tasks and projects in progress. This provides a sense of achievement and a sort of deadline. During the feedback the club members can ask questions.

Members

An E-Club should consist of between two and eight people. People should seek to be in two E-Clubs; one as a member and the second as an organizer. Each member is both a leader and a follower.

Meetings

E-Clubs should meet once a month: Ideally a definite date, for example, the first Monday in the Month.

The formal part of an E-Club meeting should take exactly TWO HOURS. During that time a member may request a specific amount of time to report on a lengthy project or seeking help. This takes place after the formal meeting.

Ritual

A strong sense of ritual has found to make organizations more successful and last longer. The ritual provides the momentum even when enthusiasm wanes. Ritual enhances the sense of belonging.

Punctuality promotes the discipline necessary in thinking and action in order to focus upon what is being done. So an E-Club meeting should start and end precisely at the set time. At the beginning of each meeting the Organizer reads out the Purpose of the E-Club:

"To provide a setting for the development, exercise and enjoyment of effectiveness through the designing and setting of tasks and projects and the carrying through of these tasks and projects. An E-Club may not carry out any action which is illegal or immoral or harmful to any living creature or the environment. The value of the tasks and projects must be clearly defined in advance. E-Clubs should not be used for political purposes."

MEETING FORMAT

An E-Club meeting should follow the following format:

1. Opening of meeting, reading of E-Club purpose statement, apologies and explanation of absences of members (5 minutes, 5 total)

2. Direct Practice of Thinking Skills. (20 minutes, 25 total)

3. Suggestions and designs for new projects which can be added to the PROJECT CATALOGUE. Also discussion of new projects that are to be undertaken by E-Club members. (15 minutes, 40 total)

4. Reporting back of progress on existing projects. If further time is required, this is requested as a specific extension after the formal meeting has ended. (35 minutes, 75 total)

5. Thinking applied to existing projects or to planning new projects. Consideration of alternatives and ways of overcoming problems. (30 minutes, 105 total)

6. Formal setting of next-stage targets in existing projects and also new tasks or projects. (10 minutes, 115 total)

7. Administrative details and choice of organizers for the next party. The date of the monthly party may or may not be the same as the E-Club meeting. (5 minutes, 120 total)

Thinking Skills

Effectiveness is not simply a matter of energy and action. Thinking is also required. This is not just for argument or analysis but the thinking for action; OPERACY. These include various methods such as: PMIs, ADI, APC, etc.

The Organizer

The Organizer is the only formal official in an E-Club. The Organizer arranges meetings and ensures the timetable is adhered to. They delegate functions to other Club members. It is a permanent role, but can be changed at any time.

Log Book

A formal log book or minutes of the meeting should be kept. It should record the date of the meeting, the people present and headings of the subjects treated at the meeting.

ACHIEVEMENT SCORE

An achievement score for projects is not necessary, but for those who want to use one a suggestion is given below.

Points for a maximum of twenty are awarded for the following:

  1. Importance of the task or project (includes value).
  2. Degree of completion.
  3. Completion on schedule.
  4. Difficulty of task or project.
  5. Enjoyment of carrying through the task or project.

The purpose of E-Clubs is to provide a forum for people to be effective. If members are ineffective there is not point in having them in the club. So anyone who misses two consecutive meetings is automatically dropped from the club.

Registry

After 6 successful meetings you can apply for registry. You will be required to give: A list of members, and e-mail contact name; a filed list of short logs.

When there are enough E-Clubs we can organize meetings and competitions. The first step in effectiveness is to GET GOING IN BEING EFFECTIVE.

Last updated: 27th June 1996