Presented by Jason Fossum & Kayley Schoonmaker Ever been confused by what’s happening in a meeting? Are you interested in taking on a leadership role with the MSCSA or currently fulfilling one? If so, you will need to know the basics of running an effective meeting. This will also help in your future career, whether you are the chair of the meeting or not. This workshop will teach you what your job is as the chair of a meeting, but it will also teach you what voting members can do and the way that business is conducted and verdicts reached. We will go through some fun procedure tips, idea sharing, and the chance to participate in a live meeting! Who will be our fearless chair? Come find out!

1. Running an Effective
Meeting
By Jason Fossum

2. Basic principles to remember
Robert’s Rules of Order were created to help groups run
effective meetings.
The rules were designed to:
 Protect the right of the minority to express its opinion.
 Allow the majority to ultimately rule.
 Allow groups to process business as needed in a fair and
orderly manner.
 Be applied only as strictly as needed.

3. Meetings are effective when….
Debate and discussions occurs in an orderly and
respectful manner.
Business is dealt with in a fair and open process.
The minority opinion on issues have had their say.
Your agenda is dealt with efficiently.

4. Role of the Chair
The chair of a meeting has a few key roles:
 Controlling debate
 Unbiased application of the rules
 Maintaining order and adherence to the agenda
 Providing information when necessary
 Understanding how
The chair often holds the key to the effectiveness of a
meeting.
However, individual members have to hold the chair
accountable.

5. Knowing the rules
It’s important that you have a general understanding of
Robert’s Rules.
It is NOT necessary that you know everything.
Don’t be afraid to buy a book and have it with you!
Understanding how to deal with motions will make or
break your meeting.
Know your bylaws!

6. Dealing with motions
Main motions: should address your item of business and
seek to deal with it in some way.
Amendments: will seek to change the main motion in
some manner.
Understanding the most efficient way to deal with these
will make your meetings run amazing!

7. Dealing with motions
Using the logical precedence of motions will help you
work through your business.
You must deal with all amendments before dealing with
the main motion.

8. Commonly used motions
Lay on the Table: allows for temporary set aside of your
main motion.
Postponement: allows for longer term set aside of
debate on the main motion.
Previous Question: allows for the immediate end to
debate on the main motion and forces a vote.
Division: allows for clarification on the result of a voice
vote.
Reconsider: allows for further debate on an issue that
has already been acted upon.

9. Questions?

10. Let’s see it in action!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQW1fEwYZVA
Mock meeting time! Who will be our fearless chair??