What role does a chair typically serve in a meeting?

The role of a chair in a meeting primarily revolves around leading and facilitating the discussion. The chair is responsible for setting the agenda, guiding participants through the meeting, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute, and managing the overall flow of the discussion. This includes keeping the conversation on topic, encouraging participation, and making decisions about the progression of the meeting.

By fulfilling this leadership role, the chair helps to create an environment where all voices can be heard and ensures that the meeting objectives are met. This role is crucial for maintaining order, especially in larger group settings, where discussions could easily veer off course without effective guidance.

While tasks like taking minutes, acting as a committee member, or keeping track of votes might occur in the context of a meeting, they are typically not the primary responsibilities of the chair. Instead, these tasks may be delegated to other participants to allow the chair to focus on facilitating the meeting effectively.