Thanks for all the feedback. I like the idea of letting the vp get involved by facilitating.

We actually had our second meeting tonight. We had a very big turnout (for us) of around 20 people. We even had a few motions (one that I wasn't crazy about to reject our letterhead design and take some more submissions). I didn't know, honestly, if that was in order or not, so I let it fly. At least it was something.

I also made an example (in a good way, I hope) of someone who has been asking about doing a student directory. She showed one from her old school and was pitching the idea. I drew out a motion to refer the issue to an ad hoc committee led by her.
I explained afterward that I'd help but if it was left for me to do it would take a long time as there is so much on my plate.

A couple of thoughts...I spread the "telling" around so it's more than just me (prez) talking. The treasurer does her report, of course. The VP facilitates committee reports, and the committee chairs who have reports give them. Our secretary will make any announcement that has to do with dates or schedule or meetings, and I (prez) do the welcome, and general presiding over the meeting. We don't have many motions thru the year, but when we do, I'll facilitate it through the RRO process. If I have to ask for a motion, no problem. If it's an issue that someone feels strongly about, they'll speak up and make the motion. And yes, I did plant someone once, but only because I knew she was very interested in the issue and would want to be part of the discussion.

We also arrange our chairs in a circle around a group of small tables in our media center. It gives a sort of conference room feel to the meeting, rather than theater-style with a distance head table. When people are looking at each other around the table, it's easier to engage folks in discussion (and harder to hide). We also do introductions around the table at the start of the meeting. We found this only works for up to about 18 people. but some of our mid-year meetings are that small.

If you are discussing something that needs to be made into a motion, you may have to ask or say, "I'll need a motion." and then, "Do I hear a second?" and then we vote the motion in by hand count. If your meetings are like ours, you have to keep things going. There aren't many who speak out on their own. As far as "planting" people, I've never done that. But, I have been approached by people who want to bring something up and I tell them they have to do it, I can't and while I may agree or disagree with it, I have to remain impartial unless a tie needs to be broken, which I hope never happens. ;o)

Thanks for the replies.

What do you do about motions? As president, my interpretation of Robert's Rules is that I'm really not supposed to make them. But what if one needs to be made and noone is doing it?

Also, do you 'plant' members in the assembly to make motions that you think need to be made?

I will present things to our group, ask for input and usually it turns into worthwhile converstation. For awhile I felt the way that you do about just telling but it did open up and now people are very willing to give input, if i feel at anypoint that it is getting out if control I will say "think about it and let me know your thoughts and we will decide next month." If your group isn't use to you they may just need time to digest, I think that is what happened in my case, they need to feel they can be open.

I guide us through the agenda and review upcoming events or changes. Before I offically end the meeting, I offer a open floor for any questions or comments. A lot of people put this in their agenda. We also have chairs of committees bring back info to share and let the group make or approve the bigger decisisons. At our School Planning meeting, as part of introductions, we go around the table and each person introduces themself and just says something. It is not supposed to be a question. Some people say I will be glad when testing is done or the PTO is on budget or I hate rain. I don't really care for this, but it works to help get people focused on the meeting.