Roles of chairperson and participants in a meeting
Role of the chairperson
Three Fundamental Meeting Stages
A basic meeting structure that has proven helpful in overcoming potential meeting pitfalls includes these 3 deep-seated stages:
Preparing for the meeting
Conducting the meeting
Evaluating the meeting
PREPARING FOR THE MEETING
When it comes to meetings, the expression, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," rings true. An hour or two of preparation can save several hours spent at meetings each month.
Responsibilities of the Chairperson before the meeting
Schedules meeting
Prepares the agenda
Clarifies roles and responsibilities
CONDUCTING THE MEETING
Responsibilities of the Chairperson during the meeting:
Start the meeting on time
Clarify roles and responsibilities
Establish ground rules and guidelines
Participate as a team member
Follow the agenda and keeps the meeting focused on agenda items
Retain the power to stop what’s happening and change the format
Push for accountability
Summarise key decisions and actions
Record recommendations and allocate responsibilities for specific tasks
Make the most of talent present - ask questions to draw out people with talent and experience
Allow time to hear experts’ (if present) points of view but allocate time with clear directions, for example, "We have five minutes to hear the technical reasons
Close the meeting on time and on a positive, appreciative and graceful mode
EVALUATING THE MEETING
Improve each meeting - aim to make each meeting better than the last by analysing what it achieved.
Carry out the "post mortem" when you can still remember deails of what happened.
Get informal, objective feedback from the participants the meeting and make a note to correct any inadequacies.
Follow up on agreed commitments - if you want action taken make sure it is perfectly clear who is responsible to carry out the tasks recommended by the meeting.
An agreed commitment is necessary as to who does what, by when. This should be confirmed in writing and is best done in the minutes and again in a follow up reminder to the person who has agreed to take on a task.
Participant Role
Prepare for the meeting topics Once the agenda is received each participant is responsible for fully preparing documentation, notes, questions, ideas.
every participant is responsible for voicing the need for additional information or clarification.
Participate Contribute ideas, voice concerns, and professionally challenge quick decisions.
Listen carefully.
• Check the time Provided the agenda is posted.
• Check jargon Depending on the meeting type and attendees.
• Stay on track Most times when a meeting gets off track.
• Check motivation before speaking Keep discussions on the issue.
Don’t comment just to be heard.
• Keep your calendar up-to-date It is imperative to meeting organizers that your calendar is current.
Contribute items to meeting agenda
• Contribute during meetings in team discussions, brainstorming, strategic planning, and special projects
• Undertake assigned special project tasks
• Read meeting minutes and project plans to keep up to date with important team.
• Agenda Contributor
• Discussion Contributor
• Brainstorming Contributor