To overrule – to protest

Introductory Text

Meetings are necessary. No organization of any size can proceed for long with each member acting independently. Meetings are held to discuss business, to explore ideas, and to convey information. A disorganized meeting can waste everyone’s time. An organized meeting can benefit the entire organization.

Text 1: Holding a Meeting

Meetings are often seen as a waste of time, but they are in fact one of a manager’s most useful means of communication, whether with subordinates or colleagues – provided they are conducted effectively. This means having a clear idea of the purpose of the meeting and ensuring that the meeting addresses itself to this purpose.

Preparation is essential. Think out your objectives. Why are you holding the meeting? Is it to convey information? To get information? Is it to solve a problem? To initiate some course of action? Identify the specific items that you want the meeting to consider. Arrange them in sequence in the agenda, allocating a certain amount of time to each, and giving priority to those that are important, rather than those that are merely urgent.

As chairperson you are concerned with two things. One is the subject that is being discussed; the other is the people who are discussing it. The first requires giving attention to appropriate procedures, the second, using your leadership skills.

Dealing with the subject means, primarily, making sure that the discussion remains relevant to the items being discussed and to the overall purpose of the meeting. Begin the meeting by stating its purpose. Everyone should have a clear understanding of why it is being held. As you approach each item on the agenda briefly introduce it, stating what the objective is in discussing it.

Keep the discussion relevant. Don’t allow people to jump ahead to the next item or to go back to points that have already been dealt with. Watch out for repetition, for speakers going off on tangents, for people talking at cross-purposes. As the meeting progresses, make sure that everyone understands what is being talked about and what is being said about it. Where necessary seek clarification from speakers on behalf of others. Provide occasional summaries.

After each item has been discussed, briefly summarize the conclusions that have been reached. At the end of the meeting give an overall summary, relating the final conclusions to the initial statement of the purpose of the meeting.

In dealing with people your main concern is that everyone with a contribution to make, makes it. This means in particular encouraging the silent and controlling the over-talkative.

Begin the meeting on time. Don’t wait for latecomers. When they do arrive briefly tell them what conclusions have been reached. This will bring them up to date and may encourage them to be more punctual in future.

At the beginning the discussion may be slow to get started. You can get it going by asking open-ended questions, addressed to individuals, - John, how does this affect your department?

As the meeting progresses the most effective form of leadership is probably the one that is least obvious. Avoid answering questions. Pass them on to others. In particular, try not to get involved in arguments. Disagreement is very useful for stimulating thought, but it is better if challenges are answered by other participants. If disagreement, however, becomes heated, and becomes a clash of personalities rather than ideas, then refuse it. You can do this by asking each to repeat what the other has said to the other’s satisfaction; or by drawing a neutral participant into the discussion.

Respond positively to suggestions. These are easier to dismiss than facts or opinions but they are essential if new ideas are to be generated. Those who dismiss them should be invited to put forward alternative suggestions.

Draw out the shy, but wait until the discussion has got going. Ask them open-ended questions – “ Brian, what do you feel is the reason for this?” Praise their contributions.

Keep the over-talkative in check, but without putting them down. Pick out one of the points they are making and pass it to someone else for comment – “Changing the schedule, that’s an interesting idea. Ron, what do you think of that?”

Finally, finish the meeting on time. As the end approaches, remind participants that there is a limited amount of time left and encourage speakers to keep their final contributions as brief as possible. By recognizing that participants have other demands on their time you are more likely to get a full attendance at future meetings.

Text 2: Agendas

An agenda informs people attending a meeting of the meeting’s purpose and the business to be covered. Whether the meeting is 30 minutes or a week long, an agenda is designed to make sure the topics that need to be discussed are discussed and any extraneous business is left for another time. By following an agenda closely, the chairperson of a meeting can ensure that the meeting is purposeful and productive.

Any agenda must include the date of the meeting. The agenda for a short in-house meeting may simply list numbered topics to be discussed. The agenda for a longer meeting, such as a sales conference or stockholder’s meeting, may be broken down into days and hours and include sites of individual sessions. Samples of each kind of agenda appear below.

1. Agenda for meeting of management committee to be held at 9:30 prompt in Room 208 on Tuesday 20^th March.

Papers attached

1. Matters arising from minutes 1-3

2^nd February meeting

2. Sales performance Jan/Feb:

Prospects March

i. UK sales 4-5

ii. Ex-UK sales Schumann report*

3. Production Report

i. Jan and Feb performance Verbal report

4. Financial Report

i. Profit and loss accounts 6-9

Jan and Feb

ii. Working capital *

5. Data Processing Improvement *

Program

6. Any other business -

* to be presented at the meeting

2. Meeting of the County Democratic Committee

May 12, 1995 7:30 P. M.

1. Review and amend minutes.

2. Seat new members.

3. Hear report of highway subcommittee.

4. Vote on proposal to hold caucus

Summer Sales Conference

Boca Raton, July 8-9

Thursday, July 8

8-10 A. M. Working Breakfast Cafeteria

10-11 A. M. President’s Greeting Hall A

11 A. M. – Noon Regional Managers’ Meeting Oyster Room

Noon-1 P. M. Luncheon Hall B

1 P. M.-3 P.M. Exhibits Main Floor

7 P. M. Dinner Dance Ballroom

Friday, July 9

8-9 A. M. Working Breakfast Cafeteria

9-11 A. M. Regional Meetings Rooms C-D

11 A. M. – Noon Break

Noon-1 P. M. Luncheon Hall B

1 P. M.-3 P. M. “Making the Pitch” Hall A

panel discussion

Greg Lawford, chair

3 P. M.-5 P. M. Regional Workshops Rooms C-D

Text 3: Minutes of a Meeting

The minutes of a meeting are a written record of the business discussed and transacted at the meeting. Some companies tape record their meetings, and the tapes are transcribed and summarized. Most meetings, however, rely on a single person to record all events and decisions. If that person is you, follow these rules.

· Read the agenda before the meeting and keep it with you to serve as a guide.

· Make sure you know the names of all people who might speak. If someone speaks whose name you do not know, find out that person’s name before the meeting adjourns.

· Sit close to the chairperson so that you are near the center of business.

· Use outline form or number of headings – whatever is most natural to you. Don’t be afraid to mark up your notes with arrows and underlines if they help you organize your thoughts.

· Remember that the most important things to record are (1) those items on the agenda, (2) any major decisions or resolutions made by the attendees, and (3) the date and site of any future meeting. Formal resolutions should be recorded word for word.

Soon after the meeting adjourns, transcribe your notes into a first draft. Organize the draft by topic or time sequence, whichever seems more logical. If the draft must be approved by the chairperson or by your supervisor, take it to him or her as soon as possible. Make any changes and complete a final draft. Give it to the chairperson or your supervisor for signing, and distribute the minutes to whoever should receive them. Be sure to include anyone who was absent from the meeting on your distribution list. Keep a copy of the minutes on file, clipped to the agenda and any handouts for that meeting. Samples of minutes appear below.

Minutes of a Meeting of the County Democratic Committee

May 12, 1995 7:30 P. M.

Attending were Dahila Abrams (chairperson), Letitia Adair, Minnie Fin, Gloria Nu, Samuel Powers, Tim Powers, Andrew Quinn, Juanita Rodriguez, Stu Steinmetz, Ju-Lin Tao, and Wendy Watt.

The meeting was called to order at 7:35. Minnie Finn read the minutes from the April 15 meeting, and they were approved unanimously.

NEW MEMBERS

Dahila Abrams proposed the seating of Wendy Watt and Tim Powers. Gloria Nu seconded. The members were approved and seated.

HIGHWAY SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT – ANDREW QUINN

Andrew Quinn reported that Route 13 will, as expected, be diverted for three months while the bridge in the village is repaired. A motion was made and seconded to review the plans with the town supervisor.

CAUCUS

Juanita Rodriguez proposed that we hold our town caucus to vote on nominees for the judgeship and county board members on Thursday, June 12. Sam Powers reminded the committee to call new voters from their registration lists to invite them to the caucus. Ms. Rodriguez’s suggestion was seconded and approved. The caucus will take place Thursday, June 12 at 8 P. M. in Town Hall.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45. Our next meeting will follow the caucus on June 12.

Minnie Finn, Secretary

Minutes of a Meeting to Discuss Factory Extension,

October 10, 1997 3 P. M.

1. Minutes of last meeting held on September 26, at 3 P. M., were approved.

2. The Production Manager reported on his interview with the local Building Inspector, and said that detailed plans of the foundations were required. The architect reported that the plans had been drawn up and sent to the Building Inspector.

3. The Personnel Manager reported on labor available for the new extension, and suggested a program be put in hand to train workers. It was agreed that a training program be started immediately, and that an estimate of the cost be provided by the Personnel Manager.

4. The Production Manager reported that the I. D. C. was granted, provided that the Fuel and Paint Stores were placed in a different position to avoid the danger of fire. The architect’s proposal to rebuild the present Managers’ garage as Fuel and Paint Stores was agreed.

Text 4: At a Meeting

Yesterday the Welfare Committee of the Harper and Grant Company gathered to discuss a number of issues concerning the well being and the health or safety of employees. On this Committee sit representatives of the various departments in the company. A maintenance fitter, Roy Briggs, speaks for the men employees; the women who work on the shop floor are represented by Miss Tappett, and Miss Prince speaks for the clerical staff. The Personnel Manager is the Chairman of the Committee. The Company Secretary, Mr. William Buckhurst, is also a member of the committee, but he was unable to be present yesterday.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Ian Hampden, the Chairman:

“Miss Prince, Miss Tappett, Mr. Briggs… Well, I think everyone’s here, except the Company Secretary, Mr. Buckhurst. I’m afraid he can’t join us this morning because he has to meet the Mayor for the opening of the new factory extension. By the way, we’ll have to be fairly brief if we’re to be down there before eleven. We don’t want to miss the official opening, do we?”

“No, we don’t.”

“Then I declare the meeting open. We have three items on the agenda (order of business) – Reactions from the Staff to the New Canteen, Payments by Cheque, and Any Other Business. Are there any additions or amendments to the proposed agenda?”

“I move we adopt the agenda as it stands.”

“Any objections?”

“None,” said some of those present from their places. “Then the agenda stands,” announced the chairman. “Let’s take the minutes of the last meeting as read, if you agree?” There were murmurs of assent. “Well, the report on the first item on today’s agenda, which arises out of the last meeting, will be made by Miss Tappett. Let me remind you that it was agreed by the Committee to collect reactions from the staff to the new canteen and the new serving counters, which were designed to speed up the rate of service. Shall we adopt any regulations as to procedure?”

Mr. Briggs rose and said,” I move that we set (fix) the time limit for the report at 10 minutes and allow each speaker 5 minutes for discussion (in debate).”

Ms. Prince objected to the proposal. “I move that we do not limit the speaker and that we allow 10 minutes for debate (discussion).”

“Are there any other motions?” asked the chairman.

As no one replied he decided to put the matter to the vote.

“All those in favor of the motion to allow 10 minutes for the report and 5 minutes for debate please raise your hands.” The chairman then counted the show of hands.

“Who is in favor of the second motion (not to fix any time limit for the report and allow 10 minutes for discussion)?”

The majority voted for the first motion and so the chairman gave Ms. Tappett the floor, reminding her that she had only 10 minutes. The chairman then turned to Ms. Prince and asked her to take minutes (of the meeting). Normally, it is Mr. Buckhurst who makes a note of the business discussed, decisions taken and so on. Later, he dictates these notes to his secretary, who then types them. Everyone who was at the meeting will get a copy of the minutes. But as Mr. Buckhurst was absent, Ms. Prince had to take the minutes for him.

“Ms. Tappett has the floor for the report on item 1 of the agenda.”

The meeting listened to the speaker very attentively. After she had finished, some of those present had a number of questions to ask. The chairman suggested that the questions be submitted in writing and meanwhile the discussion be continued. As no objections were raised the meeting passed on to the discussion.

After a while Mr. Briggs took the floor and moved that further discussion be closed as everybody had already spoken and there was little time at the Committee’s disposal if they wanted to be present at the official opening. The chairman seconded his motion and no one objected to it. After a vote was taken on this point it was clear that the motion was carried out unanimously. Then the chairman gave the floor to Ms. Tappett for her closing statement (to sum up the discussion). After the statement was over Mr. Briggs proposed that the meeting adopt a resolution which outlined a number of measures to improve the situation with the canteen as there were some complaints, though not serious.

This resolution met with stiff opposition and many amendments were proposed. It was clear that the proposed resolution couldn’t be adopted as it stood. Then the chairman proposed that the committee work out a resolution later that day. This motion was carried out unanimously. The chairman passed on to the second item of the agenda.

“The suggestion was made that all wages in future be paid by cheque instead of in cash. The idea is to avoid drawing large sums of money every week from a bank, with the possible danger of robbery. Mr. Briggs undertook to enquire into this. Now, he has the floor for his report.”

“I made quite extensive enquiries, Mr. Hampden. Some people didn’t object to the idea. They understood the point about safety. But the majority of people, especially the male staff, didn’t want to hear about it. They like to see their money. Most of them asked when they’d have time to go to a bank.”

Ms. Prince remarked that the workers’ wives could draw the money from the bank. Mr. Briggs answered that most men preferred to handle their own money.

“ In my view that is a very old-fashioned attitude,” Ms. Prince retorted.

“Maybe, but that is the majority opinion,” was Mr. Briggs’ reply. The argument grew rather heated and the chairman was forced to call the meeting to order.

“Well, I gather there’s not much point in pursuing this matter, anyway for the time being.” The chairman suggested that the solution to the problem be put off till the meeting of the Management and Personnel; he also added that in his opinion, they should put the matter to the vote so that everybody in the company would know the point of view of the Welfare Committee. The majority of the Committee voted in favor of paying wages in cheque.

“Well,” said the chairman, “ next we come to Any Other Business part, that is to the question of sports facilities, and I’d first like to make a statement about this. As you know, the management is seriously interested in using the area of land beyond the new extension. One suggestion is that some form of sports ground be provided. They ask the Welfare Committee to make recommendations. As a preliminary I think we should put forward our own views on the matter. Roy, perhaps we could start with your opinion.”

Mr. Briggs said that he thought if there was enough money the land should be levelled and made into a football field. The majority of employees are men, and football is their favorite sport. He strongly recommended a football pitch. Miss Prince disagreed with Mr. Briggs saying that there are still a lot of women in the firm and it would be most unfair if the men were given special treatment in that way.

The chairman asked Miss Tappett what she thought about the matter. She would rather like things as they were. Mr. Briggs then proposed that they ask for suggestions from everyone first. Then they could take a ballot. Miss Prince argued that if there were a ballot, the majority would win. She thought that more interest should be taken in minority opinions. The chairman said that the first thing was to get information and asked if Mr. Briggs would like to make himself responsible for getting suggestions from the staff.

The meeting worked out no resolution at that moment because they had to adjourn the meeting due to the official opening of the new factory extension. But the Committee met later that day and drew up a resolution that incorporated all the questions discussed and all the motions made. The wording of all the three paragraphs was worked out carefully and the resolution was prepared to be adopted as the draft (as the basis, in principle) by the next meeting of the management and personnel. After some amendments and additions to the final text of the resolution it will be adopted as a whole.

Text 5: At a Trade Union Meeting

Trade union meetings are always public. That means anyone can attend. Meetings with restricted admission (attendance) are called closed meetings. That means they are held behind closed doors. A closed meeting of a committee or other body is sometimes called a private session. A newspaper report in its account of such a meeting will state that “the committee met in private”.

Now here is an account of an electrician trade union meeting held at the shop floor in keeping with Trade Rules to elect a new shop steward.

All the members of the union were delegates with full rights. (At party congresses or (A. E.) conventions there are also delegates with advisory vote, that is with voice but no vote.).

The meeting had originally been scheduled for Tuesday but had to be postponed because the required quorum had not been present.

Jack Green was in the chair (was presiding).

“Ladies and gentlemen! According to standing regulations we are to elect a new shop steward. According to the Rules of Procedure each candidate must be discussed (considered) individually. Voting is by secret ballot. Are there any questions?”

“No, I move that we proceed to nominate and discuss the candidates.”

“Any objections? None! Carried!”

Mr. Fielding then asked for the floor. “I nominate Mr. Green. He has been our shop steward for 3 years and as such, he has a very good record. All this time he has been at the day-to-day level of representation between the company and the union. He is recognized by the Management and respected by the union members. I am sure he will justify our trust.”

After a sufficient number of candidates had been nominated someone got up and said:

“I move that nominations be closed.”

“Are there any objections?” the chairman asked.

“None.”

“As there are no objections the motion is carried.”

The 5 nominees on the list came up in turn and answered all the questions that the meeting put to them. These were chiefly about their background and experience in trade union activities.

All the nominees but one were left on the secret ballot list. Miss Van Dyke challenged Mr. McFergusson on account of his ambitions to get more personal power. The challenge aroused a heated discussion and the chairman had to call the meeting to order.

“Order! Order!” the chairman called out several times.

The majority was in favor of withdrawing the name from the list, and after a show of hands a decision was taken to this effect. The chairman then announced, “We shall have to elect a committee to take the ballot (to count the vote). Are there any motions (proposals, suggestions)?”

I move we elect a 3-person committee (a committee of 3), someone called out.

“Any other motions?”

“None.”

When the ballot committee had been elected one of the delegates raised his hand:

“Point of order! I move that a new chairman be elected since the present chairman is one of the candidates.”

When that issue was settled the conference was adjourned for one hour. The adjournment was necessary to type the ballots and to prepare the ballot boxes for voting.

In an hour’s time the delegates were invited to vote. The voter was given a ballot with the names of the nominees (candidates). As there were five names on the list one was expected to cross 4 names out. Then each voter came up to the ballot box, which had been carefully sealed, and dropped his ballot into a slit in the top. In twenty minutes the voting was over.

After the ballots had been counted Mrs. McBride took the floor to report on behalf of the Ballot Committee.

“The count of votes conducted by us has given the following results. Out of 120 ballots cast 2 have been declared not valid (invalid). The reasons for our decision in each case have been given in our report. The following results were recorded: Mr. Green – 116 for… etc.

Therefore, by a majority of votes Mr. Green is elected shop steward. I submit the report of the Ballot Committee together with the ballots to the chairman.”

As the count was not challenged and there were no further questions the meeting was closed.

Essential Vocabulary

Meeting - собрание

To hold (to have) a meeting – проводить собрание

To adjourn a meeting – распустить собрание

To resume a meeting – возобновить собрание (после перерыва)

To postpone (put off) a meeting – перенести/ отложить собрание

To cancel a meeting – отменить собрание

To open/close a meeting – открыть/ закрыть собрание

A public meeting – открытое, публичное собрание

A meeting behind closed doors – закрытое собрание

A meeting in camera (a private session) – закрытое собрание

(на котором имеют право присутствовать только члены

организации)

A meeting to maintain contact – собрание для поддержания связи

(со смежными организациями, между филиалами и проч.)

A brainstorming meeting – «мозговой штурм/атака»

(собрание, на котором выдвигаются и обсуждаются идеи)

A decision-making meeting – собрание по принятию решения

A discussion meeting – дискуссионное собрание

An information meeting – информационное собрание

A negotiating meeting – собрание по ведению переговоров

A planning meeting – собрание по планированию

(рабочее собрание, на котором планируется работа предприятия)

A problem-solving meeting – собрание по решению проблем

Agenda – повестка дня

An item on (in) the agenda – пункт/ вопрос на повестке дня

The agenda as it stands – предлагаемая повестка дня

The agenda stands – (предлагаемая) повестка дня принята

An addition to the agenda – дополнение к повестке дня

An amendment to the agenda – изменение повестки дня

To adopt an agenda – принять повестку дня

Chair – президиум, председатель

Chair moves – президиум считает

A chairperson (chairman) - председатель

To elect (a) chairperson (He was elected chairman) выбрать

председателя (обычно без артикля после пассива)

To call to order – призывать к порядку

To move, to suggest, to propose - предлагать

Regulations as to procedure – порядок ведения и регламент

собрания

Standing regulations (rules) постоянно действующие правила

Debate - прения

Discussion - обсуждение

To move that + Subjunctive Mood or Gerund - предлагать

To suggest that + Subjunctive Mood or Gerund - предлагать

To propose that + Subjunctive Mood - предлагать

A motion, suggestion, proposal - предложение

To make a motion – выдвигать предложение

To second a motion – поддерживать предложение

To carry a motion (the motion was carried, was sustained)-

принять предложение (предложение было принято)

To reject (to turn down, to vote down) a motion –

отклонить предложение (в порядке голосования)

To put forward a proposal – выдвинуть предложение

To vote (on a motion) – голосовать (по предложению)

To vote for/against a motion – голосовать за/ против предложения

A voter – голосующий, избиратель

Vote - голосование

To vote by show of hands – голосовать поднятием рук

To vote by secret ballot – голосовать тайным голосованием

To take a ballot – провести (тайное) голосование

Roll-call vote – поименное голосование

Card vote – голосование мандатами

Casting vote – решающий голос (председателя при подсчете

голосов)

Ballot – избирательный бюллетень

Ballot box – избирательная урна

To cast a ballot – опустить бюллетень в урну, отдать голос

To vote one by one (separately, point by point) – голосовать по

пунктам

To put a matter to the vote – ставить вопрос на голосование

To be in favor of – быть за

To be against – быть против

To abstain from vote/voting – воздержаться от голосования

“Carried” – «Принято!» (возглас председателя после подсчета

голосов)

“Overruled” – «Отклонено!» (возглас председателя после

подсчета голосов)

A speaker - докладчик; выступающий

To set (fix) time limit for sth at…minutes – установить регламент

для докладчика в столько-то минут)

Minutes - протокол

A minute-book – книга протоколов

To take the minutes of a meeting – вести протокол собрания

To take the minutes of the last meeting as read – считать, что

протокол предыдущего собрания прослушан. Согласно

существующей процедуре, протокол предыдущего собрания

зачитывается, если не все участники получили его заранее. Если

протокол есть у всех, то в целях экономии

времени произносится данная фраза)

Matters arising from minutes of (date) meeting – вопросы,

вытекающие из протокола предыдущего собрания

To approve the minutes of the last meeting – одобрить

протокол предыдущего собрания

To circulate the minutes of a previous meeting – разослать

участникам протокол предыдущего собрания

To record word for word – записывать слово в слово

Attendees at the meeting - присутствующие

Absentees from the meeting - отсутствующие

Any Other Business (Miscellaneous) – разное (пункт повестки)

To give the floor to – предоставлять слово

To have/take the floor on (item 2 of the agenda) – брать слово по

To hold the floor – держать речь

To deny the floor – лишить слова

To yield the floor – уступить слово (право на выступление)

A closing statement – заключительное слово

To submit questions in writing – подавать вопросы в письмен-

ном виде

A resolution – решение собрания, резолюция

A resolution as it stands – предлагаемая резолюция

A resolution as the draft/as the basis/in principle – резолюция,

решение, принятое за основу

A resolution as a whole – решение, резолюция в целом

A draft resolution – проект резолюции

Wording of – редакция текста (Cf.: editorial office –

редакция газеты; editing- редактирование текста)

To change/alter the wording of – менять редакцию текста

A paragraph – абзац текста; параграф резолюции

To cross out/strike out/delete a paragraph – вычеркивать абзац

To put in the paragraph in the text – вставлять абзац

To substitute for – заменять (что-то чем-то)

A majority - большинство

An overwhelming majority – подавляющее большинство

A simple majority – простое большинство

An absolute majority – абсолютное большинство

A minority - меньшинство

A strong minority – представительное меньшинство

A small/insignificant/narrow/tiny – незначительное меньшинство

A stiff opposition – значительное число возражающих

A different/dissenting opinion – особое мнение

To nominate – выдвигать кандидатуры

A nominee - кандидатура

A delegate - делегат

A delegate with full rights – полноправный делегат (с правом

голосовать)

A delegate with voice but no vote (with advisory vote only) –

делегат с совещательным голосом

A delegate to a conference – делегат конференции

To schedule a conference – назначить проведение конференции

To raise quorum - набрать кворум

The quorum isn’t present – кворума нет

To challenge – заявить отвод

To have a good (bad, notorious) record – иметь хорошее (плохое,

грязное) прошлое, репутацию, автобиографию

Point of order – слово по порядку ведения собрания

Point of Information – слово для справки

Unanimously – единогласно

Additional Vocabulary

Caucus – рабочее собрание членов политической партии (АЕ)

A shop steward – цеховой староста (в британских профсоюзах)

To talk cross- purposes – говорить о противоположном

To go off on tangents – неожиданно сменить тему разговора,

говорить об одном и вдруг заговорить о другом

Handout – текст заявления для печати

Welfare Committee – орган, примерно соответствующий

месткому

Shop floor - цех

Clerical staff – канцелярские/конторские служащие

EXERCISES

I. Answer the questions:

1. Why are meetings necessary? 2. What are they held for? 3. What is the difference between an organized meeting and a disorganized one? 4. What are meetings often seen as? 5. What are meetings in fact? On what condition? 6. What do the words “conducted effectively” mean? 7. What’s essential? What should the coordinator identify? In what way should the problems be arranged? Which items should be given priority? 8. What is the chairperson concerned with? 9. What should the chairperson give attention to? What skills should s/he use? 10. Why is it necessary to keep the discussion relevant to the items being discussed and to the overall purpose of the meeting? 11. What is not allowed for the participants at the meeting? What should the chairperson do after each item has been discussed? At the end of the meeting? 12. Who is responsible for contributions from the speakers? How should the chairperson make sure that everyone with a contribution to make makes it? 13. Why is a meeting to be always held on time? 14. What is the best way of getting a meeting going from the very beginning? How should questions be addressed? 15. Which is the most effective form of leadership? 16. Which is the best way of treating questions addressed to the chairperson? 17. When must disagreement be refused? What is the way of doing it? 18. What is essential if new ideas are to be generated? 19. How should the shy be encouraged? How should the over-talkative be treated? What is likely to be the best way of getting a full attendance at future meetings? 20. What does an agenda inform people about? How is it designed? 21. What can the chairperson of a meeting ensure by following an agenda closely? 22.What must any agenda include? 23. What may the agenda for a short in-house meeting list? 24. What kind of agenda may be broken into days and hours? What may this agenda include as well? 25. What is called “the minutes of a meeting”? 26. In which way do some companies keep the minutes of their meetings? 27. Who do most meetings rely on to record all events and decisions? 28. What are the rules for the most successful minutes keeping? 29. How should the minutes recorded at the meeting be transcribed? How many drafts should be completed? 30. Who must have a copy of the minutes? Where should a copy of the minutes be kept? 31. What was the purpose of the Welfare Committee meeting? 32. Who represents the men employees on the Committee? 33. Who represents the women working on the shop floor? Who speaks for the clerical staff? 34. Who is the Chairman of the Committee? 35. Which member of the Committee was unable to be present at the meeting? Why? 36. What items were there on the agenda? 37. Were there any additions or amendments to the agenda or was it adopted as it stood? 38. Who made the report on the first item? 39. What regulations as to procedure were adopted? 40. Did the majority or minority vote for the first motion? 41. What was the second item on the agenda? 42. Who made the report? 43. What kind of suggestion was made? Why was it made? Did all the employees second the suggestion? Who was against it? Why? 44. Why was the chairman forced to call the meeting to order? 45. What did the chairman suggest concerning the solution to the problem? 46. What was the A. O. B. part about? 47. What was Mr. Briggs’ opinion on the item? 48. Did Miss Prince agree with his point of view? What about Miss Tappett’s opinion? 49. How was the problem with the sports facilities solved? 50. Was any resolution worked out at the meeting? 51. What kind of resolution was drawn up later that day? 50. When will the resolution be adopted as a whole? 51. Are trade union meetings closed or public? 52. What was the purpose of the trade union meeting described in the text? 53. What kinds of delegates were present at the meeting? 54. How many nominees were there on the list? 55. What questions were they asked? 56. How was the secret ballot taken? 57. Who was elected shop steward?

II. Give Russian equivalents to the following:

Agenda; an item on the agenda; addition; amendment; agenda as it stands; to adopt an agenda; a chairperson; a speaker; regulations as to procedure; debate; to debate; a motion; to object to; to second a motion; to put a matter to the vote; to vote; by show of hands; to take ballot; to vote down a motion; minutes; matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting; overrule; a closing statement; the chair moves; resolution; to adjourn; to pass on to the next item; to abstain from voting; A. O. B.; carried; majority(simple, overwhelming); minority (strong, small, insignificant); to resume; a draft copy; wording; to delete; a roll-call vote; a delegate with full rights; an advisory vote; a meeting in camera; a private session; a brainstorming meeting; unanimously.

III. Give English equivalents to the following:

Открытое (закрытое) собрание; совещательный голос; внести дополнения и изменения; поставить вопрос на голосование; предложение; выдвинуть предложение; поддержать предложение; отклонить предложение; заключительное слово; повестка дня; предлагаемая повестка дня; регламент и порядок ведения собрания; протокол ведения собрания; вести протокол собрания; открытое голосование поднятием рук; поименное голосование; тайное голосование; делегат с правом голоса; повестка дня принята; разное; значительное число возражающих; предложение было принято; кандидатура; подавляющее (простое) большинство; воздержаться от голосования; книга протоколов; быть за/против; выступать, брать слово; составлять документ; возобновлять собрание; отменять собрание; набрать кворум; переходить к следующему вопросу; правила процедуры; проект решения собрания (3); решение собрания в целом; редакция текста; вычеркнуть слово; заменить слово; изменить.

IV. Match the synonyms:

To move – to replace

To discuss – to meet again

To disagree – to make up

To adjourn – to make a speech

To set a time limit – to change

To resume – to put off

To alter - to fix a time limit

To overrule – to protest

To object to – to dissent

To substitute - to debate

To take the floor – to repeal, to revoke

To draw up – to propose, to suggest

V. Match the antonyms:

Carried – to be against

To object to – to take part in

To alter – to be in favor of

Show of hands – card vote

To observe – to conceal

To delete a word – to ignore

To adjourn – to keep (retain)

To reveal – to start (begin)

Дата добавления: 2015-10-24