The person who presides over a meeting has several specific
responsibilities:
Begin the meeting on time; be certain a quorum is present.
Announce in proper sequence business to come before a general
assembly.
Recognize members who are entitled to the floor.
State, put to vote and announce results of votes on questions
that legitimately come before the assembly.
Protect the assembly from obviously frivolous motions by
refusing to recognize them.
Enforce rules of debate, order and decorum within the
assembly.
Expedite business, but respect all rights of members.
Decide all questions of order, subject to appeal. If in doubt,
the presiding officer may submit questions to the assembly for
decision.
Respond to inquiries of members concerning parliamentary
procedure or factual information bearing on the business of the
assembly.
When necessary, authenticate by signature minutes, orders,
legislation, etc.
Declare the meeting adjourned when the assembly so votes or at
the time prescribed, or if an emergency affects the safety of the
assembly.
Announce the results of an election or vote.
Turn the chair over to a vice-president or other temporary
occupant during the assembly's consideration of:
a motion in which the presiding officer wishes to take part in
debate (this should be done only on rare occasions).
A motion referring to the presiding officer in a capacity not
shared with others.
A motion that commends or censures the presiding officer alone
or with other members. The presiding officer should remain in chair
for a motion to elect officers, delegates or committees, even if
he/she is included.
Vote when her/his vote, in a voice vote, will affect the result
(to make or break a tie).