Chapters and councils often use brainstorming sessions to develop new ideas, come up with themes, figure out a charity, or just come up with solutions to problems. Whatever you're using the brainstorming session for, make sure you set the ground rules and of course, make it enjoyable! Here are some ways to make it fun, even challenging, and how to change it up when the ideas run low.

So what exactly are the rules of a brainstorming session?

1. No ideas is a bad idea.
2. One person speaks at a time.
3. Building off of ideas to generate more ideas is good.
4. Tearing down ideas or changing someone else's idea is NOT good.
5. A time-limit should be set that provides ample opportunity for everyone to share.
6. Each person should be allowed to speak (if he/she chooses) at least once.

Here are some more things to consider when brainstorming. Not neccessarily "rules", just suggestions to help everything flow better.

1. Each person involved in the brainstorming should have something to write on and with so even if someone else is talking, they can jot their idea down and not forget. (If time runs out, this also allows additional ideas to be submitted on paper.
2. Two or three "secretaries" or note-takers should be used to jot down all ideas on large paper near the front of the room, or utilizing some other device that allows all participants to see what is being recorded (ex: a computer using Word, hooked up to a projector). Using multiple note-takers allows for ideas to come faster, as one could take the next idea as one of the others is writing another idea.
3. If more than 30 people are involved, consider breaking into two small groups so everyone feels close to the action and has time to contribute.
4. A circular setting isn't necessary, as the speaker (idea-giver) is really only giving the idea to the note taker. However, a circular setting provides everyone with something different in the room to look at, and the various visuals can spur various ideas. If you are not sitting in a circle, have the students change places half-way through the session so that they can look at something else in the room that might jumpstart their imagination.

Time is priceless when it comes to meetings, especially if you are only meeting before school or during a shortened or lunch period. You can get the most input in a short amount of time by dividing your brainstorming. For example, if you bring together your group before the school starts to begin planning for the upcoming school year, you might have a lot of items to brainstorm. Is it necessary that every student gives input on every topic? No, although they might like to! Provide a list of brainstorming topics, such as "charity work", "school improvement", "student recognition/appreciation", "fundraisers" and "leadership training". Students can either select which topic they want to work on, or they can be randomly assigned (with a mix of grade levels in each group). The groups each go off in their own direction and spend maybe 10-15 minutes maximum brainstorming (instead of an hour or two with everyone brainstorming on everything). The ideas are posted somewhere, either on a poster, a private website (learn more about how to use a free wiki in a future newsletter), a binder that's in the council/chapter website, a bulletin board, etc... Students that were NOT in thsoe groups can then add to the ideas at a later time.

You can also use brainstorming to narrow down ideas before coming to an official council/chapter vote. If you've brainstormed a large list of service projects, set up a small, informal committee to look at the list, determine a top 3 - 5 (based on certain criteria the council/chapter sets, such as time, location, need filled, number of volunteers needed, etc...), then present those to the entire council/chapter to make a final decision.

Brainstorming can get tiresome and ideas can run low, so here are some ways to liven up the think-tank and keep ideas flowing...

• Bring a bag of cheap candy to pass out (tootsie-rolls) for each contribution
• Allow students to have some freedom. Some people think better when listening to music, drawing, dancing, or sitting on the floor!
• Write each person's name next to their idea. Whoever's idea is used, they get a special small prize at the end
• Have people move around the room and change seats to alter their visual stimulation
• Open a dictionary and have a student randomly flip to a page and read the first word they see or point to. See if it prompts any ideas (if nothing, they'll get a laugh out of it probably)
• Start talking about something unrelated to the brainstorming session at hand, then come back to it. Sometimes when we focus so hard on thinking of something specific, we have a hard time thinking outside of the lines. Giving the brain a jumpstart might help.
• Have coloring books on hand! Sometimes, a little creativity coloring can be just what someone needs to relax and be imaginative.
• Invite students from outside the group to join in the discussion. Invite students in that aren't on council or in your chapter. They bring new insight.

Brainstorming can be a great beginning of the year exercise, yet often, schools are tied to homecomings and chapter inductions in the fall. Get over the winter blues with a fun brainstorming session. You can use the ideas throughout the rest of the school year and into the fall of next year!