How to Chair a Meeting Effectively
How to Chair a Meeting Effectively
Many of you will chair meetings as part of your role and those that don't may in the future or will in someone's absence. Here are some points to remember:
What Makes a Good Chair
Below are some general pointers about what makes a good Chair of a meeting. Some of you will have these skills, possibly without realising them, other will have some but not all. They are things to think about and focus on as you develop your role of a Chair to optimise your abilities and thus the running of the meeting you chair
• An understanding of the issues and topics being discussed
• A personal knowledge of the Committee's members
• Strength of personality and character allowing you to stand your ground and to effectively manage the meeting. Be able to utilise your authority e.g. prevent discussions wandering, prevent those with out anything knew to add repeating the same point, being able to move on when a point is discussed as far as possible etc
• Being a able to sum-up the points made in discussions so before a vote the members know what they being asked to decide on. Requires you having an understanding of the issues and topics being discussed and keenly listening to the discussions.
• Knowing how things should be done i.e. knowing the standing orders and not have to look them up
• The ability to deal with people outside meetings
It is important to get feedback from others about your ability to chair. Ask others what they think your weaknesses are, possibly asking them how the meeting progressed and what weaknesses there were. Look at others Chairing meetings (how about Union Council or other Union meetings)
General Running of Meeting
a) Before meeting starts
• Have an agenda and make sure everyone knows about it (work with the Secretary)
• Send out the agenda and papers so everyone can read them in advance (speak to the Secretary)
• Book a room and make sure it is easily found. Give directions if required and arrange sign
Many of you will chair meetings as part of your role and those that don't may in the future or will in someone's absence. Here are some points to remember:
What Makes a Good Chair
Below are some general pointers about what makes a good Chair of a meeting. Some of you will have these skills, possibly without realising them, other will have some but not all. They are things to think about and focus on as you develop your role of a Chair to optimise your abilities and thus the running of the meeting you chair
• An understanding of the issues and topics being discussed
• A personal knowledge of the Committee's members
• Strength of personality and character allowing you to stand your ground and to effectively manage the meeting. Be able to utilise your authority e.g. prevent discussions wandering, prevent those with out anything knew to add repeating the same point, being able to move on when a point is discussed as far as possible etc
• Being a able to sum-up the points made in discussions so before a vote the members know what they being asked to decide on. Requires you having an understanding of the issues and topics being discussed and keenly listening to the discussions.
• Knowing how things should be done i.e. knowing the standing orders and not have to look them up
• The ability to deal with people outside meetings
It is important to get feedback from others about your ability to chair. Ask others what they think your weaknesses are, possibly asking them how the meeting progressed and what weaknesses there were. Look at others Chairing meetings (how about Union Council or other Union meetings)
General Running of Meeting
a) Before meeting starts
• Have an agenda and make sure everyone knows about it (work with the Secretary)
• Send out the agenda and papers so everyone can read them in advance (speak to the Secretary)
• Book a room and make sure it is easily found. Give directions if required and arrange sign