What is the primary role of the Chair in a meeting?

The primary role of the Chair in a meeting is to lead the meeting. This includes facilitating discussions, managing the flow of the meeting, and ensuring that all participants have an opportunity to contribute. A strong Chair maintains order, adheres to the agenda, and guides the group in reaching decisions. The Chair is also responsible for interpreting the rules of parliamentary procedure, thus ensuring the meeting runs smoothly and efficiently. This leadership role is crucial for achieving the objectives of the meeting and fostering a productive environment for all attendees.

While preparing the meeting agenda, keeping minutes, and reporting financial status are important tasks, they can be delegated to other members of the committee or organization. The Chair's primary focus is to engage with the members actively and to oversee the overall direction and decisions made during the meeting.