Fundarstjóri

Fundarstjóri is the presiding officer of a meeting or assembly in Icelandic usage. The person holding the role is responsible for ensuring orderly proceedings, guiding the agenda, and upholding the rules of order.

In practice, the fundarstjóri opens the meeting, presents the agenda, manages the discussion by recognizing speakers, enforcing time limits, and ruling on procedural questions. The chair ensures that debate remains courteous and that all participants have an opportunity to speak. The fundarstjóri oversees the voting process, announces results, and coordinates with the secretary (fundarskrifari) who records the minutes. The presiding officer generally refrains from discussing substantive issues, except as required by the rules, and in many organizations may vote only to break ties or as otherwise permitted by the bylaws.

Selection and term: The fundarstjóri is usually elected by the assembly or appointed by the organization for the duration of a particular meeting or for a specified period. In formal bodies such as boards, councils, or associations, the chair is often a designated officer.

Context: The role is found in a range of settings, including clubs, associations, cooperatives, municipal or organizational committees, and conferences. The exact powers and procedures of the fundarstjóri are determined by the organization's bylaws or standing orders, and may mirror or adapt aspects of parliamentary procedure.

See also: chairperson, moderator, parliamentary procedure, minutes, secretary.