Every August, Forums ask the same question, do we meet, or do we take the month off?
Here in New York City, it’s almost a running joke: if you want to get your Forum together in August, you better be willing to drive to the Hamptons to do it. For many Forum members with kids in K–12, August is one of the few stretches where the calendar opens up for travel and family time before the school year kicks back in.
So naturally, the question arises, should your Forum meet in August or skip it entirely because it’s so hard to schedule?
When deciding whether to meet in August, don’t focus on convenience. Focus on consistency and continuity which are two important values in a strong Forum.
The power of Forum doesn’t come from any one individual meeting. It comes from the cumulative rhythm, month after month, showing up for each other, staying connected, and reinforcing the container of trust.
So when groups skip August, it might feel harmless. But what actually happens is the momentum slows. Habits weaken. Distance grows. And before you know it, you’re starting September feeling disconnected and rusty.
If it were my Forum, I’d say: Yes, we should meet in August. Even if some people take a miss.
Here’s how to make it work:
- Stick to your rhythm: Even a shorter or lighter agenda meeting maintains continuity.
- Use your misses: Most constitutions allow for two misses a year. August is a great time to cash one in.
- Go fully virtual (but never hybrid): If in-person isn’t practical, switch to Zoom, but only if everyone is virtual. Hybrid meetings (half in the room, half online) almost never work well.
The bottom line? Don’t let a summer schedule unravel the commitment that makes Forum work.
Forum is about showing up, even when it’s inconvenient. For August, take a vote, make a plan, and consider staying consistent. Virtual or in-person, a light-touch meeting is better than none.
And hey, if someone needs to miss? That’s exactly why we build in flexibility. Use it, and keep the group strong.
