What are duties of chair person - Health & Beauty

Haha don't believe that other answer.

However the chairperson has to:-

work with the Secretary to book the premises (if any) and make sure there is enough furniture, tea and biscuits (if any), sound system (ditto)

- again with the secretary, to call for agenda items via email or however, then distribute copies of the agenda at the door or earlier

- call the meeting to order and explain briefly how it will work; eg agenda FIRST then general business

- the MOST important function

- keep order in the meeting as follows

- first ask for an endorsement, with mover and seconder, of the previous minutes. If not forthcoming, that becomes the first agenda item for debate. CONTINUALLY ask the meeting for a fix-up motion about it, with seconder, don't let them just rave on about what they don't like.

- enforce direction of questions to the chair only, in order, WITHOUT the audience shouting out and making aggressive interjections. Make a note of major questions for the minutes, everyone has a voice in the RIGHT way.

- take note of who has hands up to ask a question next. Make sure the meek do not get shouted down.

- name disruptive persons, but as a LAST resort - "John Smith, I name you as being disruptive and disorderly. You will be named in the minutes."

- keep the debate ON topic, especially when going thru the agenda

- if time is limited, allow finite time to a topic after advising the meeting, and then GAG IT on time. Advise that it can be continued by email or at next meeting.

- again, many attendees at meetings just want to shout and rave on, but the CHAIR decides how much. It is good chairman technique to ask them what is their motion to put from the floor, and do they have a seconder? They have a right to speak, but then put them in or out with a vote. Quick show of hands are, well, quick, and the chair can then say "Your motion is defeated, NEXT item now."

The best chair I saw was in Prep School parents' meetings, where there was an amazing assortment of idiots and demagogues. He enforced his functional authority very well. He said "You've elected me chairman. You didn't want the job yourself. Now sit down and I'll point to you when it is your turn". He was an air-traffic controller, probably significant.