The Meeting Get to the room early and make sure everything is prepared. Have all necessary equipment available, i.e. pens, paper, newsprint, markers, and audio-visual equipment, depending on the goals of the meeting. Copies of the last meeting's minutes should have been distributed early with the agenda. It is important to keep a record of past proceedings because issues may need to be clarified at a later date. By keeping minutes, the basis for the decision will be written down and available for people not present at the meeting.
Minutes generate a written history for the group.
If you are always waiting for stragglers, there will be no incentive for them to come promptly. In the meantime, you are penalizing those who are prepared to start. Just as you want to start on time you also want to keep meetings to reasonable time limits. Most groups should be able to accomplish their business within an hour and a half. Procedurally, there are many different ways to run the actual meeting.