We've done both--
I think that at the first meeting you should all sit in the front-- so new PTO members can see who the board are-- and definitely introduce the new board at the first meeting... after that mix everyone up-- - we site at tables that are in a circle since there are usually about 10-15 parents only at the meetings. That way there is no front table and everyone can see everyone else and know who is talking.
Sometimes I did those silly things that teachers do like the clap clap clapclapclap. Everyone looked and stopped talking and it didn't seem to irritate anyone. There's also always the "If you hear me touch your nose"....eventually folks catch on....
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Our board meetings were 30 minutes to 1 hour before our general meetings depending on what the board had to cover. The general meetings rarely ran more than an hour and frequently much under that. Also, our meetings were in the cafeteria with long tables, which is why the Prez always stood up front. Like JHB there were many times when officers/chairs would sit next to each other if there was a certain project that a group of them were working on and they needed to share info when doing their report.
I never used a gavel or anything, but sometimes if some were getting chatty, I would just stop talking for a minute. Usually, they caught on to the silence. Otherwise, you can kind of look around the room(not directly at the cohorts) and say, "Does anyone have any questions or opinions they would like to address on the topic currently being discussed?" Subtle, but effective.
Thanks all. I appreciate the insight! I guess we'll just blend in with the crowd then. On another note, what types of tactics (for lack of a better word) do you use to get the attention focused back on the meeting where there is a lot of chattering and sidebar conversations? Is one of those little concierge bells too obnoxious? Is there anything you can do without offending the membership?
Our "Exec Board" was 20-35 people so sitting at a head table was not even under consideration. But I did find there were certain officers that I interacted a lot with during the meeting, so it was helpful to sit together. But it wasn't the same pairing all the time - it depended on events. If we had a lot of financial matters to discuss, being next to the treasurer was helpful. If we had a major even underway, sitting next to that chair might be best.
We usually met in a library or staff room where the seating was round tables. So there was no "front". We simply worked with whatever made the meeting go smoothly.
I understand the things you like about a head table, but -- in my opinion -- the negatives outweigh the positives. if you do go the way of a head table, then I hope you'll triple your efforts in making sure you don't give an insiders/outsiders impression.
