English for professional life

1. THE PHASES OF A MEETING Opening the meeting Noting the attendees and the quorum (Nominating the secretary, Accepting the minutes of the previous meeting) Accepting the agenda Notices Discussing the topics/items Any Other Business (AOB) Deciding on the date of the next meeting Ending the meeting

2. THE ROLES IN A MEETING A chair(person) – leading the discussion A secretary – taking the minutes Attendees (Facilitator – keeps the discussion and decision-making process moving along, not involved in the content of the meeting (Timekeeper – reminds the chair when the time is almost up for an item on the agenda)

3. Good Meetings 1. The purpose of the meeting and the agenda is clear and made know to the participants. 2. Good timing. Start and end on time. 3. The meeting room is big and comfortable. 4. The agenda is the first priority. 5. The Chairman knows how to conduct a meeting. He has good sense of time and measure. 6. The minutes are written down by the appointed secretary.

4. Bad Meetings 1. The agenda is poorly planned. 2. Meetings are not well prepared. 3. Meetings start late. 4. Meetings run out of time. 5. Participants do not follow the agenda. 6. Meetings end with no decisions taken.