Characteristics of a Good Chairperson

Volunteer Development Agency Small LogoCharacteristics of a Good Chairperson

This section summarises the skills, qualities and knowledge expected from a good Chairperson on a Management Committee.

Qualities, Skills, Knowledge

A Good Chairperson will:

  • speak clearly and succinctly
  • be sensitive to the feelings of members
  • be impartial and objective
  • start and finish on time
  • be approachable
  • have an understanding of the voluntary/community sector
  • be tactful
  • have knowledge of the organisation's key networks
  • be able to delegate
  • have experience of Management Committee involvement
  • show interest in all members' viewpoints
  • have sound knowledge of the organisation's work
  • have an ability to respect confidences
  • ensure decisions are taken and recorded

Role of Chairperson

Do's and Don'ts
  • Make all members feel valued
  • Be the person who talks most at the meetings
  • Strive for consensus, using his/her casting vote sparingly
  • Allow meetings to become unproductive
  • Plan for the future
  • Allow one or two people to dominate meetings
  • Encourage new faces onto committee
  • Cut people out of discussions
  • Listen to others
  • Make all the decisions
  • Make new members feel welcome
  • Make people feel foolish or useless
  • Allow others to take responsibility
  • Force people to contribute to discussions
  • Keep calm
  • Lose his/her temper
  • Know when to stand down
  • Stay too long


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Volunteer Development Agency
DIY Committee Guide 2005. Please view our copyright statement.
Telephone: 028 9023 6100 | Email: info@volunteering-ni.org

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