There may be no greater time-waster than meetings. Seth Godin has some excellent ideas about investing more to have them cost less.

• Keep the meeting and discussion on schedule pursuant to the agenda.
• Ensure appropriate representatives are in attendance.
• Ensure meetings adhere to and follows the guidelines established within the charter and other applicable procedures and guidelines.
• Prepare and distribute agendas and minutes in advance of the meeting
• Review the agenda prior to the meeting and come prepared to discuss topics.
• Provide information on the subject of the meeting in advance to support the process of determining the disposition.
• Review planned topics to ensure that  representatives will complete their preparations prior to placing it on the agenda
• Separate agenda items into topics for information, discussion, or decisions
• Have an explicit basis for voting identified (what's a quorum?)
• Have action item reviews at the end of the agenda, and periodic summaries on the agenda
• Ensure that work required by other bodies are appropriately coordinated
• Maintain records of meetings (minutes, attachments, etc.)
• Notify individuals of action items assigned by the group.
• Have a plan to call special meetings if emergencies arise which require immediate group action.
• Maintain a list of current team membership and their participation
• Ensure vacancies are quickly backfilled.
• Copy sponsors with minutes after review.

Provide templates for standard reporting and decision-making subjects.