This factsheet provides general information on the committee position of ‘Chairperson’.
Who is the Chairperson?
The chairperson’s role is responsible for presiding over (or ‘chairing’) meetings, ensuring they are conducted smoothly, fairly and in accordance with relevant legislation (link).
What does it mean to ‘chair’ a meeting?
In formal meetings (such as a committee meeting or AGM), the chair is responsible for driving the meeting content. The chair leads preparation of the meeting agenda, opens the meeting, and works to keep the conversation focused, engaging, and balanced.
What are the Chairperson’s responsibilities?
The chairperson must ‘chair’ all general meetings (link) and strata committee meetings (link) they attend and make determinations as to quorums (link) and procedural matters at meetings
When chairing a general meeting , the chairperson’s duties include:
- ruling a motion out of order if
-it is unlawful or unenforceable
-it conflicts with a by-law
-the substance of the motion was not included in the agenda for the meeting - declaring the results of votes on motions at the meeting
• confirming that each ballot paper is the vote of a person who has the right to vote in the election (where a ballot for a committee position is needed)
• declaring the result of an election for a committee position.
If the chairperson rules a motion out of order, they must give reasons and give the meeting the chance to overturn their decision.
What if the Chairperson is unable to attend a meeting?
If the chairperson is not able to attend a meeting, the voters who are there can choose another person to chair that meeting.
Is the Chairperson in charge?
The chairperson does not have more authority than anyone else on the committee.
