Class Meetings Learning Curve

Q. I attended your parenting lecture last night. I thought what you had to
say was wonderful. About a 1 1/2 weeks ago, I attended a Saturday workshop which was at the same school by one of your associates. As a result of that workshop, I have started class meetings almost daily. We’ve done compliments and appreciations several times since I understand that is an important building block. But the problem is that a few kids leave during the compliments. They crawl away and either sit at their desk or often sit under a desk. I thought compliments was something they were probably finding a little threatening and did not want to coerce them into staying in the meeting. Today, I tried brainstorming with the students solutions to a class problem. The problem was kids getting hurt on the playground. For this meeting, there were a lot of kids who didn’t want to come. Again, I did not want to insist on it. Exerting that kind of power seems to defeat the whole purpose of the class meeting. But there is no point in having a class meeting if that many kids choose to sit it out. So I think I’m going to try the “Buy In” discussion tomorrow. But what do I do if all but one or two kids agree to have a class meeting? I’ve got a couple of kids who are very argumentative/rebellious. They are part of the reason I think class meeting could be so helpful. Do I tell the class I need everyone’s participation or I’ll continue to one up them and they can simply live with what I say? Or do I let a few kids sit out? Come and go as they please? Tell the kids they can either participate or sit in another classroom? I teach second grade and I am exhausted and hoping to figure this out real soon. Thank you.
Becky