​Successful committee meetings that run smoothly usually have a chairperson who: 
 

• Prepares and circulates a draft agenda before the meeting so that members can prepare themselves to discuss what is on the agenda, 
   

• Gets the Committee to agree on the draft agenda - review, revise and reorder the agenda as necessary, 
   

• Ensures that the agreed agenda is followed in an orderly manner, 
   

• Gives Committee members equal opportunity to put forward their point of view, 
   

• Clarifies members' views and the facts they rely upon when necessary, 
   

• Ensures the Committee focuses on resolving problems and steps in if the meeting is side tracked by irrelevant issues, 
   

• Identifies any points of disagreement and works for consensus, and 
   

• Ensures there are clear outcomes for each agenda item covering what will be done, who will do it and by when. 
   

NOTE: A chairperson guides and facilitates the meeting so that the Committee agrees on what actions they will take and what recommendations should be made to management.