As an Employee Resource Group (ERG) leader, you know the importance of an effective and engaging meeting. These gatherings are not only a chance for your team to connect and collaborate, but also an opportunity to drive change and make an impact within your organization. However, it's easy to fall into the trap of starting your meetings with an awkward 5 minutes of silence as everyone tries to get settled and on the same page. So, how do you avoid these awkward 5 minutes and kick off your next ERG meeting in a way for a great member meeting? Here are 10 ideas to consider:

1. LinkedIn Connect - One simple way to start off your meeting is by having everyone present share their LinkedIn profile and connect with each other. This not only helps to build relationships within your ERG, but also allows you to easily stay in touch and collaborate outside of the meeting.

2. Music - Share screen with music of the day as background music. Music can help set the mood and create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for your meeting. Plus, it's a great way to break the ice and get everyone in the right headspace.

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3. Fact of the Day - Sharing a fact of the day or an interesting tidbit about the current day can be a fun and engaging way to start your meeting. This can spark conversation and encourage participation from all members.

4. Meditation - Taking a few minutes to meditate before your meeting can help clear your mind and allow you to focus on the task at hand. Consider leading a brief guided meditation or simply giving your team a few moments of silence to collect their thoughts.

5. Focus of the Day/Week - Clearly outlining the focus of the meeting or the week ahead can help set the tone and ensure that everyone is on the same page. This could be a specific topic or project that you'll be discussing, or simply a list of goals and objectives for the meeting.

6. Trivia Polls - Incorporating trivia polls related to your ERG's mission or the topic at hand can be a fun and interactive way to get everyone involved. You could also consider using general trivia polls as an icebreaker to get to know your team better.

7. Icebreaker Questions - Asking everyone to answer a few icebreaker questions in the chat can be a great way to get the conversation flowing and help team members get to know each other better. These could be related to the topic at hand or simply general questions to get to know your team better.

8. Rose/Bud/Thorn - This is a popular in-person icebreaker that can easily be adapted for virtual meetings. The idea is to have everyone share one thing they are grateful for (the rose), one thing they are looking forward to (the bud), and one challenge they are facing (the thorn). This can be a great way to get a pulse on the team's overall mood and well-being.

9. Breakout Rooms - If you're hosting a virtual meeting, consider starting the event by randomly placing community members into breakout rooms. Give them just a few minutes and tell them to find out as many common things they have as they can. This can be a fun and engaging way to get everyone interacting and can be a great icebreaker for larger meetings.

10. Source Ideas for Your ERG - Encourage your team to come prepared with ideas for the group. This could be a specific project or initiative they'd like to see the ERG take on, or simply a suggestion for how the team can better serve the organization and its employees. Consider offering a prize or recognition to the best idea.

BONUS: Start on Time - It may seem obvious, but starting your ERG meeting on time is crucial for maintaining productivity and respect for everyone's schedules. Make sure to send out a reminder beforehand and consider using a tool like a virtual timer to help keep things running smoothly. Starting on time sets the tone for a professional and organized meeting and shows that you value your team's time.

There's a ton of creative and effective ways to kick off your next ERG member meeting. From connecting on LinkedIn and setting the mood with music, to outlining the focus of the meeting and incorporating interactive activities like trivia polls and breakout rooms, there are endless options for starting your meeting off on the right foot. By taking the time to plan and execute a well-structured opening, you can set the stage for a productive and meaningful session with the memberd.