That three hour debate over a minor character derailed our whole meeting

Last month at our club's meeting in the church basement, we spent 45 minutes arguing whether a side character's motivation made sense in chapter 12. By the time we got to the main theme, half the group had checked out and two people nearly left early. I think we need a rule that limits how long we can stay on one point, maybe 10 minutes tops. Has anyone else had a meeting spiral like this, and how did you pull it back?

2 comments

2 Comments

thompson.reese1mo ago

Our book club hit the same wall last spring, so we started using a small kitchen timer and whoever brings it sets it for 12 minutes per topic. When it goes off, we take a quick vote to either move on or give it one more five minute round, and that alone cut our meetings down by half. It feels a bit silly at first, but people actually engage more knowing they have a fair shot to speak.

theagibson1mo agoTop Commenter

Wish I had thought of a timer before my book club turned into a three hour free-for-all where we somehow ended up debating the merits of paper vs. plastic straws while the book sat unopened. Honestly @thompson.reese, your 12 minute rule sounds GENIUS, but I'd probably get so focused on watching the clock that I'd forget what we were even discussing. That small timer is basically a group therapy buzzer, which is both hilarious and terrifying if you think about it too long. We tried a voting system once and it backfired because two members took it personally and sulked for the whole meeting, so now I just bribe the loudest talker with snacks to wrap it up. Might have to steal your idea though, just gotta find a timer that doesn't beep like a dying smoke alarm in a library.