Convenor

Convenor is a term used to describe a person who convenes a meeting, committee, or conference. The convenor is typically responsible for initiating the gathering, coordinating its agenda, and guiding its organizational process. Depending on the organization, the convenor may also preside over discussions, but the role is not universally synonymous with that of a chair.

Spelling variants include convenor and convener; the latter is more common in American English, while both forms appear in international usage. Some organizations distinguish convenor as the organizer and convener as the presiding officer, though usage varies by locale.

Core duties typically include setting or approving the agenda, selecting participants, arranging the venue or digital platform, coordinating preparations, and ensuring minutes and action items are produced. In larger contexts such as conferences, the convenor may lead planning committees, assign tasks, secure speakers, and manage communications with attendees.

Contextual notes: In Scotland, the term convener is the standard title for the presiding member of a committee, particularly in the parliamentary system; elsewhere, convenor may be used for the organizer role. The exact authority of a convenor is often defined by the group's charter or by-laws.

Origin: the word derives from convenire, Latin for "to come together."

See also: chair, facilitator, organizer.