Sandy I always begin by re-explaining the purpose of the meeting-to provide a venue for residents to voice concerns, ask questions, problem solve, etc. It is always attended by as many management as possible. We read the minutes of the last meeting and then go department by department and ask how they feel things are going. Each supervisor may then address any issues in their department. This usually opens a discussion pertaining to each department. If I have 50 residents and one says the bacon is too crisp I will then ask for a show of hands and take it from there. Often it is one person who has a different view of things, and it is helpful to remind them that this is a democracy. Once we have gone through all of the departments we generally ask for any other suggestions. The conversation usually migrates back to the food! I remind them that at any time, interested residents may run the meetings, but have had no takers yet-they say they like the way I do it...sometimes it sort of becomes a social chit chat and at that point we wind down. Usually it lasts for an hour. I type the minutes and post in a common area including our action plan-(how things will be resolved). Our meetings are very well attended and the residents are vocal about what they would like to see. Hope this helps!!
You're quite the special angel here to assist everyone. It takes a special kind of person to deal with seniors - they are not given the respect or credit they so deserve to have lasted this long on this earth. To have witnessed such history is amazing. So many are forgotten about and I try everyday to share RAOKs (Random Acts of Kindness) with any person I see that could use it - thank you again for the great ideas which I hope to spread around the area to help make others know how special they are.
I think this article will help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-run-successful-resident-council-meetings/4215/
Make sure to read the comment
This new article should help you also
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-tips-for-an-active-resident-council/7464/