3.Does the Chairperson have to be present at the meeting? No, but then the Trustees must choose a temporary Chairperson for the duration of that meeting. The temporary Chairperson has the same voting rights as a normal Chairperson.
Does the Chairperson chair every meeting held with the committee members or the owners? The Chairperson is entitled to chair every committee meeting or owners’ general meeting unless otherwise decided at such meeting.
Does the Chairperson make all the decisions? It is a common misconception that the Chairperson has carte blanche over decisions of the Scheme. This is not the case as no committee members have the power to make sole decisions. All decisions pertaining to the Scheme are to be discussed amongst the committee members and then decided upon by majority resolution, unless, a specific committee member has been given a mandate on a particular portfolio to make decisions on their own within certain pre-agreed parameters.
As briefly outlined earlier in this newsletter, each committee member, including the chairman, is entitled to one vote. The only instance where the chairman will have one additional vote is if the votes cast by all the committee members result in a deadlock. Therefore, the chairman has no veto right. He does not have the ability to overrule his fellow committee members. The only power he does have is that of tie-breaker and this power is strictly reserved for committee members’ resolutions. When it comes to votes cast by the members to pass ordinary, special or unanimous resolutions the chairman’s vote carries the exact same weight in number as that of any other member.
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Chairing is a key role on any voluntary Management Committee. The Chairperson must ensure that the Management Committee functions properly, that there is full participation during meetings, that all relevant matters are discussed and that effective decisions are made and carried out.
The role of a Chairperson is time consuming, with work between meetings, external representation of the organisation, and work with staff. Chairing a large organisation requires diplomatic and leadership skills of a high level.
Main duties of the chairperson
The responsibilities of a Chairperson can be summarised under five areas:
1. To provide leadership.
The overarching role of the chairperson is to provide leadership, they must be an effective strategist and a good networker.
2. To ensure the Management Committee functions properly.
The Chairperson is responsible for making sure that each meeting is planned effectively, conducted according to the constitution and that matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient manner. The Chairperson must make the most of all his/her committee members, building and leading the team. This also involves regularily reviewing the Committee's performance and identifying and managing the process for renewal of the Committee through recruitment of new members.
3. To ensure the organisation is managed effectively.
The Chairperson must co-ordinate the Committee to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place for the effective management of the organisation.
More on ensuring an effective management committee
4. To provide support and supervision to the chief officer and senior team.
The Chairperson will often be the direct line manager for the chief officer (the most senior staff member).
More on managing the senior staff member
More on supervising the senior staff member
5. To represent the organisation as its figurehead.
The Chairperson may from time to time be called upon to represent the organisation and sometimes be its spokesperson at, for example, functions or meetings.
