The Chairperson is responsible for directing business and conducting the meeting, allowing the Chairperson relative power and authority.
An effective chairperson will:
- Familiar with the standing orders of the Club or Branch and relaxed and tolerant if and when required to act on them
- Be unbiased and impartial
- Good listener and able to keep the meeting on track, ensuring it starts and finishes on time
- Refers items to a working group for a report at the next meeting if a decision is unlikely to be made at the present point in time
Roles of the Chairperson:
- Prepares and reviews agenda in conjunction with the secretary
- Identifies who wishes to speak and indicates when they may
- Ability to delegate tasks to other members
- Prepare the agenda in conjunction with the secretary
- Decides when discussions should be ended
- Does not usually get involved in discussions unless their opinion is specifically sought and should summarise the issue being discussed so that a decision may be made
Being a Great Chairperson:
A highly effective chair plays a pivotal role in leading their board/committee/panel, shaping organisational culture and ensuring robust governance. While the chair is first among equals and holds the same voting power as other directors, they carry additional responsibilities for board leadership, meeting effectiveness and stakeholder relationships. The following principles outline what makes a great chair, based on best practice guidance.
Lead as First Among Equals
A great chair understands that leadership is based on influence not authority; they have more responsibility but not more power and must work collaboratively with all directors/officers/members. Effective chairs create a safe, respectful environment where all voices are heard, enabling better decision making and stronger board cohesion.
Demonstrate Strong Ethical Governance
A Chair’s role entails modelling high ethical standards, integrity and due diligence to help ensure all members acts honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the organisation, upholding fiduciary duties such as acting for a proper purpose and avoiding conflicts of interest. The Chair also supports a governance culture where decisions are well reasoned, transparent and aligned with organisational purpose.
Maintain Strategic Focus
Effective chairs continually guide the board to look ahead and ask, “Where to from here?” They help translate the organisation’s mission into clear strategic priorities and ensure progress against long term goals; ICDA notes that the ability to look ahead with clarity is a “priceless talent” for Chairs.
Ensure High Quality Meetings
Great chairs run purposeful, well-structured board meetings that enable productive discussion and informed decisions. Key practices include:
- Setting clear and timely agendas
- Staying neutral to facilitate balanced debate
- Ensuring all members, including those from diverse backgrounds, can participate
- Managing dominant voices and keeping discussions on track
- Knowing when to close discussion and move items to resolution
Build Effective Working Relationships
The chair plays a central role in board CEO relations, acting as a key liaison while maintaining a strictly non-executive, non-operational role. External responsibilities include ensuring the CEO brings necessary matters to the board and maintaining a positive, accountable relationship focused on organisational performance. Strong interpersonal skills, good listening, and the ability to synthesise diverse perspectives are consistently identified as essential traits for Chairs.
Commit to the Time Requirements
Chairs invest significantly more time than other directors, often two to three times more, according to ICDA. This includes preparing agendas, engaging with the CEO, staying abreast of strategic and risk issues, and providing informal leadership outside meetings.
Uphold Good Governance Structures and Processes
Great chairs ensure the board has the right foundations, appropriate composition, fit for purpose governance documents and clarity of roles. The importance of this is highlighted below:
- Maintaining a balanced board with diverse skills
- Ensuring proper induction and ongoing training
- Supporting effective committees
- Reviewing governance documents regularly
The structural elements listed above enable the board to operate efficiently and responsibly.
Foster Continuous Improvement
Strong Chairs encourage regular board evaluation and skills development, as they draw on training and tools to support ongoing improvement in board performance, culture and capability.
Promote Accountability and Transparency
Chairs play a vital role in ensuring accountability to stakeholders and in communicating decisions effectively. Australian governance guidance emphasises the Chair’s role in ensuring:
- Clear reporting
- Compliance with regulatory obligations
- Alignment with the organisation’s stated purpose and values
These practices support trust and legitimacy across the organisation and community.
Model Confident and Inclusive Leadership
Above all, a great Chair leads with confidence, calmness and fairness. Effective chairs create environments where people feel safe to contribute, which leads to better decisions and stronger community confidence; the chair’s behaviour sets the tone for board culture, meeting professionalism and ethical conduct.
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