A P r i m e r f o r P r e s i d i n g Off i c e r s , P a r t 1
Control of In-Person and Electronic Meetings By Carl Nohr, PRP
What does “control of a meeting” mean? To control something means having the power to influence behavior, and exercising it. Presiding officers have this power, and must exercise it on behalf of the organization—never in their own interest. A good presiding officer recognizes that the ultimate authority rests with the members of an assembly. The duty of the chair to control a meeting is not an opportunity to impose their will, but rather an opportunity to serve the needs of the members. Rules of order are based on mainlining the rights of individual members while respecting the right of the majority to decide. The role of the presiding officer is to manage effective majority decision making, while ensuring that all members are treated fairly by adherence to the rules of order. Why control a meeting? Organizations are created to accomplish objectives. To do so, rules
and the ability to enforce them are needed. Good control of a meeting using rules is essential for the business of the assembly to be conducted in a fair and efficient manner. The presiding officer sets the tone in a meeting. In addition to being competent, confident, and collegial, an effective chair will convey an attitude of service to the members. This recognizes the parliamentary principle that while the assembly has elected or appointed the presiding officer, nearly all his or her rulings may be appealed from, returning the final decision to the assembly.1 Wise
This article reviews informal control of meetings and electronic meetings. Part 2 will appear in National Parliamentarian, Vol. 82, No. 2, Winter 2021, and address formal control of meetings by presiding officers.
1 RONR (11th ed.), p. 255, l. 26 – p. 256. l. 3 www.parliamentarians.org
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