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?

Because it's to deal with the highly confidential crisis and will be held off site. It's just "a meeting" on my non working day. No one, even those attending, is expecting me to be there.

Absolutely go in

Is it in your interests to attend in person?? What does it add to attend in person?

I guess it depends what you mean by my interests. It won't help my career, I've no further plans there. It won't help my work, I'll be able to pick up any information I need, but it will be interesting (although that applies if I attend virtually too) and give an opportunity to spend time working with some important and interesting people, which I'll enjoy.

I would definitely go. I speak as a charity CEO. Hybrid meetings are never as effective IME and tech can generally be relied upon to go wrong when it’s least
convenient.

Why would you only get paid for part time hours and then work on your days off? If someone chooses to work part time and the charity agrees to hire her and only pay her for part time hours, it's because that's the amount of work they feel is needed from her.

Op if you're free then go and swap a day as TOIL I would make it a whole day to be easier and set the next meeting in the diary for a day you can do

This is an emergency meeting, most are planned around my days. It suits me to do the half day because I have plans in the morning, but I'll definitely take the time back.

I guess it depends what you mean by my interests. It won't help my career, I've no further plans there. It won't help my work, I'll be able to pick up any information I need, but it will be interesting (although that applies if I attend virtually too) and give an opportunity to spend time working with some important and interesting people, which I'll enjoy.

@Startstruck - why is this such a difficult decision for you then? If it’s not beneficial and you won’t be meeting people you need for your career progression, I’m not sure why you’re asking. I don’t put myself out workwise unless it benefits me.

Given you can claim the time and the importance of the meeting I'd go in person.

Being briefed just isn't comparable. You'll be unable to contribute to the discussion/decision making (offering alternative perspectives after the event would likely gain little traction).

Also, bring new I think it sends a positive message about your commitment to the charity and your role (and recognition of the serious nature of the issue).

When I previously worked part time there were a number of occasions such as this where it felt important to demonstrate flexibility and vitality "protect" my purpose (so to speak) by attending meetings outside my contracted days.

But I'd make clear that this is an exception (no need to make a big deal of it though - just say due to the significance of the meeting you will attend and swap out the time on this occasion).

How can you be a director and struggling with this and asking mumsnet for advice? It’s a no brainer isn’t it?

I don't know, but there we have it 😆