5.7.1. The Chairperson

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