The Role of a President

The duties of the President commence prior to the meeting. The President should ensure that members have been advised of the meeting; that a detailed agenda has been prepared; that the meeting venue is booked and prepared; that both old and new members are greeted and made welcome and that the meeting opens at the stated time.

Once the meeting is open some of the President's duties may be briefly stated to be:-

• To decide that a quorum is present.
• To preserve the order of the meeting.
• To be impartial.
• To conform to the rules of procedure.
• To ensure that members are aware of the minutes of the previous meeting.
• To obtain confirmation of the minutes and to sign them.
• To announce business in accordance with the agenda.
• To give firm rulings.
• To guide along relevant lines to assist the discussion.
• To give all members the opportunity to speak but also to confine speakers to the matters under discussion.
• To put to the vote motions and amendments and to announce the result.
• To determine points of order.
• To provide explanations to those in doubt about procedure or subject matter under discussion.
• To introduce guest speakers and to arrange for movers of votes of thanks.
• To ensure that the objects of the meeting are carried out.
• To establish the next meeting date and to close the meeting formally.

It can be seen that it is important that the President be conversant with the Constitution, the Rules of Debate and the accepted procedures for the conduct of meetings.

The President should also prepare for each meeting before the meeting

BE FAIR - BE FIRM - BE FRIENDLY