6) Assume control. If you find yourself in a meeting without an agenda walk out. If you must stay, prepare an agenda in meeting. Collect a list of issues, identify most important, and work on that. When you finish, if time remains, select next most important issue. Note: you can use a meeting without an agenda to recruit help for your projects.

7) Focus on issue. Avoid stories, jokes, and unrelated issues. Although entertaining, these waste time, distract focus, and mislead others. Save fun for social occasions where it will be appreciated.

8) Be selective. Invite only those who can contribute to achieving your goals for meeting. Crowds of observers and supporters bog down progress in a meeting.

9) Budget time. No one would spend $1000 on a 10¢ pencil, but they often spend 40 employee hours on trivia. Budget time in proportion to value of issue. For example, you could say, "I want a decision on this in 10 minutes. That means we'll evaluate it for next 9 minutes, followed by a vote."

10) Use structured activities in your meetings. These process tools keep you in control while you ensure equitable participation and systematic progress toward results.

Easy Commute Between Newport News & Richmond New Kent County is 212 square miles and is bounded to north by Pamunkey and York Rivers, and Chicahominy River to south. It is only 15 miles to downtown Richmond, and 45 miles to Newport News.

Native American Heritage in New Kent County New Kent County was also home to two Native American tribes: Pamunky and Mattaponi. Both have reservations in New Kent County area, and during festivals are open to public. The Mattaponi Indian Reservation was created from land which belonged to tribe by an act of Virginia General Assembly in 1658, and is one of oldest reservations in country. The Chicahominy tribe also inhabited New Kent County area at one time, and nearby Chicahominy River still bears their name.

Rural Area Rich in Agriculture Yet this agriculturally rich area of Virginia remains true to its colonial heritage, with farming as a way of life. According to www.newkent.net: “New Kent has 64 farms and 16,392 acres of farmland. Nearly 30 residents call farming their principal occupation. Half of farms have cattle, and a few have laying hens. In addition, County had 3,329 acres of corn, 2,919 acres of wheat, 5,041 acres of soybeans and 578 acres of hay in 1997, according to most recent government statistics.”

A Mix of Rural Serenity and Urban Convenience For those who wish to retire in Virginia, New Kent County can provide right mix of peace and quiet and urban convenience to keep life interesting. With working farms in surrounding area, a pleasant slow paced environment permeates area. Bounded by scenic borders such as Chicahominy, York and Pamunkey Rivers, New Kent is a place of natural beauty. Scattered along river are authentic and replicated colonial plantation homes that testify to New Kent County’s enduring quality of attractiveness to colonial settler and modern day retiree.