CGA Leadership Seminar Equips Committee Leaders for Impact

At CGA, our standards are only as strong as the leaders who steward them. That’s why we invest in practical, high-impact training for committee Chairs, Vice Chairs, and members. This year’s two-day virtual CGA Leadership Seminar focused on strengthening meeting facilitation, clarifying roles and workflows, and building inclusive, productive committee environments.

By the numbers: Average satisfaction 4.31/5; relevance to committee work 4.54/5—clear signals that the content met leaders where they are and helped them do their jobs better.

What We Covered

  • Understanding the Work Process & Committee Guidelines (top-rated Day 1 session)
  • Leadership Roles & Responsibilities and Workload Management & Prioritization
  • Leadership and Meeting Management (top-rated Day 2 session)
  • Engagement and Participation to foster inclusive, effective dialogue

What Leaders Are Taking Back

  • Intentional onboarding of new members. Make early outreach a habit—especially in virtual settings—to accelerate engagement and build connection.
  • Stronger meeting facilitation. Use clear agendas, minutes, and action items to drive follow-through; proactively manage disruptions and broaden participation.
  • Confident navigation of CGA processes. A clearer grasp of committee guidelines, publication workflows, and leadership responsibilities streamlines progress.
  • Recognition that fuels momentum. Celebrating contributions boosts morale and reinforces our volunteer culture.

What We’ll Improve (Based on Your Feedback)

  • Right-sized format. Consider splitting into two targeted trainings to reduce fatigue and tailor content by role/experience.
  • Richer engagement tools. Add more visual aids and real-world scenarios in breakouts to translate concepts into practice.
  • Clearer communications. Provide more frequent reminders and a simplified RSVP flow to support planning and attendance.

What Participants Said

“The staff, as always, were wonderful—patient and kind during both sessions. Love working with everyone at CGA!”

Leaders also called the seminar “very worthwhile,” “well-structured,” and “a great way to engage members,” noting the facilitators’ professionalism and skill in managing large group discussions.

The Bottom Line

Preparing committee leaders is core to CGA’s mission. With your feedback, we’ll keep refining this seminar so every Chair, Vice Chair, and committee member is equipped to lead efficient meetings, advance publications, and create an inclusive environment where experts do their best work.

Questions or suggestions? Contact Kristy Mastromichalis.