Who should you invite to a general meeting?

The general meeting is the members’ meeting.

At the annual general meeting, the entire membership must be invited – not just the board. It is the members who have the right to vote and can help make important decisions about the association’s future, including who will sit on the board. 

Board members naturally also attend and are typically responsible for calling the meeting, presenting the annual report and accounts, and managing elections. But it is important to remember: The general meeting is the members’ meeting. 

 

Can others be invited? 

As a rule, the general meeting is for members. However, you can – if it makes sense for your association – choose to invite external guests: 

• e.g., a partner from the municipality,
• a guest speaker,
• or curious citizens who might be considering joining.

These guests cannot vote, but it can be a good way to showcase the association’s work and create new connections.

 

Make participation attractive

As a board, you can make the general meeting more than just a formal review. Consider making it a pleasant and inspiring event – for example, with coffee and cake, a short presentation, or a joint activity. The more people attend, the greater the sense of ownership and engagement is often experienced in the association afterward.

It is also here that many become aware of the meaningful work you do – and may even feel inspired to run for the board or take part in other volunteer tasks.