How to Control a Meeting - Many Speakers

If you have attended a Board of Directors meeting of The Summit's HOA in the past six months, you have observed chaos. Especially on April 1, so I have been told.

A while back, the HOA President, Danny Trapp,  would open the meeting in a voice so low many didn't even know the meeting was starting. After the Law Enforcement report (often, far too lengthy), he announced a public comment period.  Each speaker was to get two minutes.

But he never used a timer and never cut anyone off, even after 8-10 minutes of rambling.

Here's how to do it and keep control. Appoint a time-keeper. Ask a board member to start the public comment period, so that Danny could pay close attention to what was said. After all,  he's the President.

Ask speakers to line up at the side of the room. Tell them: "Hold up the microphone. State your name and neighborhood, and you'll have two minutes. Contact the office tomorrow for any next steps. Please begin now."

At the end of two minutes, interrupt and thank the speaker. Then say, "Next person, please."

The name and neighborhood of each speaker should be recorded in the Minutes.

Comments, anyone?

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