Enjoying Committee Meetings - The Secret

If you have ever been stuck in a committee meeting feeling that you would prefer to poke yourself in the eye with a stick, you are not alone. Here is a proven, easy technique to survive and gain from the experience.

This is one of a series of video clips to promote "I'll Have the Law On You" a new book by Paul Brennan being launched in March 2016.

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# 74. They try to stop me being legal

Behind every heroic legal action there is a lawyer advising against it

Most lawyers advise their clients against suing others unless there is no other alternative. Clients find this frustrating and it has over the years led to disappointment with the legal profession.


Many clients are no longer ready to be denied, what they rightly suspect is the absolute joy of slapping a writ on their enemy. Of course, litigation is expensive but with increasing wealth, clients have ample resources to engage in court actions even if it means the sale of their home. As for the stress, many see a court experience as excellent material for a book and therefore worthwhile.


Commencing a court action is something that you only do once, unless you have a very understanding spouse. Therefore, it is essential to get it right.


Sadly, many clients come to a lawyer having already chosen a target. They may want to sue passing motorists, retailers or old boyfriends. This is such a waste. Other clients will risk having to move house by suing their neighbours or put a blot on their resume by suing their boss.


If asked, lawyers can direct clients to safer ground on which to conduct litigation such as their social club committee where disputation and outrage is regarded as quite usual be it golf, Rotary, tennis etc. Clients should avoid the more argumentative members and target the treasurer or secretary as these positions attract the more sensible members of the club who are more likely to give up in the face of senseless litigation. Club members seem to enjoy any disaster which befalls their treasurer or the secretary and your decision can prove very popular.


After service of the writ a lot of the fun can go out of litigation and therefore it is important to choose the right target for a quick victory.


Lawyers advise clients to avoid litigation but if you are dealing with unscrupulous people sometimes you have no choice. 


(c) Paul Brennan 2010

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# 70. They love committee meetings

Enjoying Committee Meetings - The Secret

Most people put up with being on committees as they are often the best way of getting things done. But, for many of us, it can be like being in prison.


A man in a Rotary Club of which I was once a member was quite obsessed with committees. He organized a weekend away in an army camp for all the newly appointed office holders in Sydney Rotary Clubs. We had a different speaker every half hour. On the first morning, I was listening to a talk called “What the secretary has in his bag” when my mind left the room. This has happened many times in committee meetings over the years. As I got older I found myself moving my lips in sync with imaginary conversations. I worried that the other committee members would notice but many of them had blank expressions and lip movements too.


It started to happen to me at home, especially at dinner with my four children. My family and I put it down to deafness as they had to say things to me two or three times, before it registered. 


Many years later, I had a routine medical examination and to my surprise, my hearing was declared A-OK. I explained the issue to the nurse and she asked if I had ever been in Rotary. Apparently, there is a recognized medical condition called Post Rotary Committee Traumatic Stress Disorder (“RCTSD”). It is a little bit like an alcohol induced blackout where sufferers are unable to remember what went on at the meeting. Some Rotary Committees are suspected of repeating the same committee meeting year after year, a little like Ground Hog Day. Initial findings by doctors have found beneficial effects such as improved sleep. 


Nowadays, when asked to join a committee, especially to be the secretary, I start to cry. I have found this works very well.



(c) Paul Brennan 2010


Exert from “Suffering 101” written on this blog

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