Chairing meetings
A good chairperson helps the meeting to run smoothly and efficiently. They will make sure that:
- all the business is discussed
- everyone's views are heard
- clear decisions are reached
- the meeting starts and finishes on time.
Always be thinking about the meeting overall, not just the topic under discussion. This can make it more difficult for you to participate in the discussions.
Always aim to draw a balance between hearing everyone's views and getting through the business.
Never use your position as chair as an opportunity to put forward your views to the exclusion of others, or to dominate the meeting.
No one can do this without the cooperation and agreement of the whole meeting - the chairperson is not a miracle worker.
Everyone can learn how to chair well; it just takes a bit of thought and practice. You will get more confident with experience. Try watching how other people chair meetings and seeing what works and what doesn't.