Would you attend this meeting in person?

[Startstruck]

I'm a fairly newly appointed director at a Charity. Three days pw.

A big meeting is planned on my non working day, to discuss our response to a crisis that affects the future of the organisation. It has to be that day because of availability of trustees.

There has been no pressure on me to attend, they'll brief me after. My particular directorship means I need to know this stuff but probably dont have that much to contribute. I'm not "needed" iyswim. If I do attend I can take the time elsewhere. I feel I need/want to attend. I could dial in from home and claim the hours or I could attend in person and claim half a day.

The other attendees will be a mix of trustees on line and chief exec and other senior staff in person. The chair will be there in person.

It's easier for me to join online, the journey to the meeting place is a out 1.25 hours, but there are people there I could really do with building relationships with, especially the chair.

I'm usually pretty good at protecting my non working time, but this is a biggie.

Wwyd?

I don't know about others, but I find meetings where half the people are in the room and half are remote more difficult than those that are fully remote, especially if you're remote.

I’d go in person if at all possible on this occasion.

I'd definitely go unless it's particularly inconvenient for you to get there. As you've said, it'll help it getting to know people if nothing else! I WFH all the time, but I think there are certain scenarios where in person is beneficial.

I would trust your instinct on this one. You don't have to do it every time but if you are fairly newly appointed and it's an important one then I'd go if you can and it's not too disruptive.

If ever I have been umming and ahhing about whether to go to these things in person or go for the easier option of on line, I have never regretted going in, and always realise how much more valuable face to face is.

I would make it be known that this is not something you will regularly be able to as it's on a non working day, but you really see the benefit of this one and want to be there in person.

If it’s that important I would absolutely go in person. You always inevitably miss bits of informal chat that might actually be important if you just dial in.

You are protecting your non-work time. You're getting it back.

I work part time also so I entirely understand. And I would go in.

I think the effort will be noticed and appreciated and if you are fairly new it will give you good networking opportunities.

Definitely go in, no question.

I'd go

If you're able to attend without too much upheaval, then it sounds like it would be good for you to be there.

you’re a Director, go and take a day off in lieu.

I'd go in this situation.

Go in person.

Model good flexible working to the other staff by being willing to swap your days but taking the time back another day.

I would defo go if that was me

Go and do it properly. If you're in a position to be given the time back, you're not exactly eating into all your non working time and heading for burnout.

I sometimes need to work on my non working day, but I only agree to it if I can get childcare, and I switch it for another day that week (which is never an issue).

That sounds like an important meeting to attend, and if you can make it work, you should go in person, for the sake of building relationships.

You’re a director you need to go. However do make sure you take the time back.

I’d go!

I think I’d go and take the time back at a convenient opportunity.

Isn't it a no brainer?

Of course I'd go .. can't believe you are asking. I work for a charity and frequently work outside my 'paid hours' and no doubt earn a lot less than a Director. What sort of message are you giving to the other employees (& volunteers?) at the charity if you don't attend this meeting ? And I don't get time back in lieu.

What? There's no expectation that I'll be there at all. The staff and volunteers have no idea it's even happening. I'll definitely attend one way or another, it was suggested I might attend virtually "if I can". I'm thinking I should probably go in person.

Thankfully the organisation are just as keen to protect my non working time as I am. You don't need to martyr yourself because you work for a charity.

I'd go but this is exactly why I do not work part time. There are always suboptimal outcomes whatever you do.

This is my wind down to retirement and mostly flexible on my terms.

How can you be so sure that the staff & volunteers don't know about the meeting? Most charities are pretty open and transparent about what is going on and don't want to have a culture of "private meetings".