Lesson 5 Business

Business English

Meetings

How to plan and hold a meeting



What is a Meeting?

A meeting is a gathering or two or more people to discuss matters of mutual concern and to take or implement any necessary decisions relating to these matters.

A meeting is duly constituted
* when the meeting is properly convened by an authorised person, the notice and agenda having been sent to the members within the time limit prescribed by the constitution
* a quorum is present
* the correct person acts as chairperson
* the chairperson is properly appointed according to the rules of the organisation.


RECOMMENDED LEARNING
Lesson 5 Idiomatic:

.

Use the Browser Return Arrow to come back to this page after selecting Grammar or Idiomatic Expressions.


HOMEWORK:

Do the knowledge test and email it for marking before the next period. Just enter the question number next to the correct answer at the top of the selection sheet.

RECOMMENDED EXERCISES
3. Idiomatic Expressions : do the Multiple Choice exercises.

 Outline

 
 

Minutes of a Meeting

About
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

The company is considering opening a new factory.
At a meeting this is discussed and there are two main opinions:
One group wants to expand the existing factory in Germany,
The other group wants to open a factory in India because it will be cheaper to manufacture the clothing there.

Slide 1
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

After a heated discussion the meeting is in its final stages.

MR James

MR James

MR James

It seems to be clear that the best option will be to expand our existing facilities in Germany.

MR Grey

MR Grey

MR Grey

No, Mister Chairman, I do not agree with that opinion.
That is a stupid idea.

Slide 2
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

A heated discussion takes place.

Miss Smith

Miss Smith

Miss Smith

Mister Chairman, these discussions lead nowhere.
I propose that we put this matter to a vote.

Mr Grey

Mr Grey

Mr Grey

I agree, mister Chairman, and would like to propose that we expand our factory in Germany.

Slide 3
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

There is a sudden silence.
Miss Cagney raises her hand.

Miss Cagney

Miss Cagney

Miss Cagney

I'll second the proposal.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Ladies and gentleman, we have a proposal.
It has been seconded by miss Cagney.
The proposal is for expanding our existing facilities here in Germany.
Do I have a counter proposal?

Slide 4
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

Mister Willard makes a counter proposal.

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

Yes, Mister Chairman.
I'd like to propose investigating the possibility of opening a new factory in India after we have looked at our financial situation.

Miss Rudolph

Miss Rudolph

Miss Rudolph

Mister chairman, the counter proposal is not clear.
Could the previous speaker please rephrase his proposal.

Slide 5
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Mister Willard, please rephrase your proposal, and please make it short.

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

Yes Mister Chairman.
I would like to propose that we open a new factory in India.

Slide 6
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Thank you Mister Willard. Loud and clear.
Does anyone second this proposal?

Miss Rudolph

Miss Rudolph

Miss Rudolph

I do, Mister Chairman.

Slide 7
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

The chairman reads the proposals and mister Willard cheers for India.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

We have two proposals on the table.
One for expanding our existing facilities in Germany, the other for opening a new factory in India.

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

Yes, India.

Slide 8
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

The chairman puts the matter to a vote.
The members of the meeting raise their hands and the chairman counts the votes.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Let us vote by a raise of hands.
First to the counter proposal.
Who is for opening a new factory in India?

Miss Jones

Miss Jones

Miss Jones

Eleven votes, Mister Chairman.
Eleven for India.

Slide 9
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Now to the original proposal.
Who would rather expand our existing facilities here in Germany?
Please raise your hands.

Miss Jones

Miss Jones

Miss Jones

Oh no! Eleven for Germany and eleven for India.
We have a tie.

Slide 10
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

Everyone starts talking at the same time.
Some 'Boos' are heard.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

That means I have the final say.

Mr Grey

Mr Grey

Mr Grey

The casting vote.
And we all know where you stand.

Slide 11
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

.

Miss Rudolph

Miss Rudolph

Miss Rudolph

Very disappointed
That's not fair!

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Smiles
Well, I'm for Germany.
Quality counts. And we can't guarantee that in India.

Slide 12
Meetings

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

ABOUT:

The members express their displeasure and start arguing.
The chairman hits with his gavel on the desk.

Chairman

Chairman

Chairman

Order! Order please!
Please calm down. We can talk later about the details.
I herewith close the meeting.

Mr Grey

Mr Grey

Mr Grey

Annoyed
That means India is off the table.
Damn!

Slide 13
Meetings
Oral Discussion

Write the final part of the Minutes of the Meeting beginning at where the dialogue started.
Cover what had been said.

Look at the outline of Minutes of a Meeting under Example/Info.
Focus on what was said and give details about the vote.

sich entschuldigen

to apologise

der vorige Sprecher

the previous speaker

einen Vorschlag neu formulieren

to rephrase a proposal

vorschlagen dass das Protokol

propose that the minutes

Vorsitzende

chairperson

mit Hinweis auf

with reference to

es protokolliert haben

to have it noted

Sie hatten Ihre Gelegenheit

you had your turn

das ist nicht akzeptabel

that is not acceptable

letztens

lastly

bitte nehmen Sie zur Kenntnis dass

please note that

um Himmels Willen

for heavens sake

Stimmen dafür

vote for

Besprechungspunkte zur Tagesordnung hinzufügen

to add items to the agenda

to agree with

dem zustimmen

haben Sie daran gedacht

have you considered

der Vorschlag wurde akzeptiert

the motion was carried

erkläre die Versammlung eröffnet

declare the meeting open

eine dumme Idee

a stupid idea

zur Ordnung

on a point of order

Ruhe jetzt!

Order now!

zur Diskussion unter

fir discussion under

Sie wissen nicht wovon Sie reden!

You don't know what you are talking about.

Unterstützung für den Antrag

a secondment for the motion

die Entschuldigung akzeptieren

to accept the apology

ist an der Reihe

has the floor

dem nicht zustimmen

to disagree

ich möchte eine Entschuldigung

I would like an apology

auf einer Entschuldigung bestehen

to demand an apology

die Versammlung beenden

to close the meeting

eine ausschlaggebende Stimme

a casting vote

Wo haben Sie das gehört?

Where have you heard that?

Das ist lächerlich!

That is ridiculous!

erkläre die Versammlung beendet

declare a meeting closed

ein solches Benehmen

such behaviour

laut der Statuten

according to the statutes

Beschlussfähig sein

to have a quorum

Frau Vorsitzende

madam chair

dagegen sein

to be against it

Birds of feather flock together.

Gleich und gleich gesellt sich gern.

ein Gegenvorschlag

a counter proposal

der vorige Redner

the previous speaker

der Vorschlag wurde verworfen

the motion was rejected

es zur Abstimmung bringen

to put the matter to a vote

Sie sind ein Idiot!

You are an idiot!

einstimmiger Beschluss

unanimous decision

dagegen sein

to be against it

das ist nicht relevant

that is not relevant

ich beanstande

I object to

lasst uns darüber abstimmen

let's take a vote

eine erfolgreiche Besprechung

a fruitful discussion

sich nicht entschuldigen

not to apologise

Ach, wirklich!

Really! You don't say!

die Regeln schreiben vor

the procedures prescribe

Ihre Zeit ist vorüber

your time is up

dafür sein

to be for it

Herr Vorsitzender

mister chairman

die Entschuldigung nicht akzeptieren

not to accept the apology

etwas vorschlagen

to propose something

einen gültigen Beschluss fassen

to take a valid decision

ich gebe das Wort an

I give the floor to

Wer hat das gesagt?

Who has said that?

bitte verlassen Sie die Versammlung

please leave the meeting

Punkte zur Besprechung unter Allgemein

points for discussion under general

mneiner Meinung nach

in my opinion

Lesson Vocabulary G/E

Meetings

Vocalulary used in meetings

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1. Herr Vorsitzender

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2. einstimmiger Beschluss

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3. Ruhe jetzt!

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4. dafür sein

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5. erkläre die Versammlung beendet

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6. der vorige Redner

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7. mit Hinweis auf

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8. Vorsitzende

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9. haben Sie daran gedacht

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10. ich möchte eine Entschuldigung

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11. etwas vorschlagen

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12. dagegen sein

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13. Stimmen dafür

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14. ein Gegenvorschlag

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15. der vorige Sprecher

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16. eine dumme Idee

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17. bitte verlassen Sie die Versammlung

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18. Das ist lächerlich!

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19. Sie sind ein Idiot!

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20. es zur Abstimmung bringen

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21. mneiner Meinung nach

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22. um Himmels Willen

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23. sich entschuldigen

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24. es protokolliert haben

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25. ein solches Benehmen

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26. das ist nicht akzeptabel

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27. einen gültigen Beschluss fassen

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28. ich gebe das Wort an

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29. vorschlagen dass das Protokol

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30. eine ausschlaggebende Stimme

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31. der Vorschlag wurde akzeptiert

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32. die Entschuldigung nicht akzeptieren

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33. das ist nicht relevant

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34. ist an der Reihe

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35. auf einer Entschuldigung bestehen

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36. erkläre die Versammlung eröffnet

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37. zur Ordnung

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38. die Regeln schreiben vor

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39. die Versammlung beenden

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40. dem nicht zustimmen

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41. einen Vorschlag neu formulieren

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42. Ihre Zeit ist vorüber

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43. Ach, wirklich!

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44. eine erfolgreiche Besprechung

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45. Sie wissen nicht wovon Sie reden!

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46. Wo haben Sie das gehört?

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47. Frau Vorsitzende

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48. Besprechungspunkte zur Tagesordnung hinzufügen

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49. laut der Statuten

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50. Punkte zur Besprechung unter Allgemein

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51. die Entschuldigung akzeptieren

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52. zur Diskussion unter

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53. letztens

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54. dagegen sein

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Category: Proverbs

55. Birds of feather flock together.

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56. Sie hatten Ihre Gelegenheit

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57. sich nicht entschuldigen

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58. bitte nehmen Sie zur Kenntnis dass

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59. lasst uns darüber abstimmen

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60. der Vorschlag wurde verworfen

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61. Beschlussfähig sein

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62. ich beanstande

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63. to agree with

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64. Wer hat das gesagt?

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65. Unterstützung für den Antrag

Your score is

Category: Business Vocabulary

Meetings

Idiomatic Expressions

Meetings

Vocabulary

1 / 22

Category: Idiomatic Expressions

1. You want say that the factory should be established in India.

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

2. When you want to speak to the person who is in charge of the meeting (a man - mister Jones), you say:

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

3. You are in charge of the meeting. When the meeting begins, you say:

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

4. You do not agree with what the person has said.

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

5. What do we call the list of items to be discussed at a meeting?

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

6. You do not agree with the decision taken at the meeting and want it to be recorded in the Minutes of the Meeting.

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7. What does one call a further proposal on the same topic at a meeting?

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8. When you want to speak to the person in charge of a meeting (Mrs. Brown, woman) you say:

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9. When would you use the phrase: "Really, you don't say!"

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10. What do we call the person in charge of a meeting (male or female)?

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11. When you say something in a different way in order to make it clearer,

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12. Someone has said something at the meeting just before you and you support that idea.

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

13. You want to say that according to what you think.....

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14. If everyone agrees, then it is ..........................  .

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15. What does "a secondment" mean?

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16. What do you call the items to be discussed at the current meeting which were noted in the Minutes of the previous meeting?

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17. What does a "fruitful discussion" mean?

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Category: Idiomatic Expressions

18. What is a "casting vote"?

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19. Someone insults you. The person has to say he/she is sorry.

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20. Everyone talks and there is total chaos at the meeting. What does the chairperson say?

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21. What is a "quorum"?

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22. You are in charge of a meeting and want to say that Mr. Brown can speak now.

Your score is

Test Yourself

  1. What is a Meeting?
  2. What are the requirements for a meeting to be properly constituted?

Choose the correct answer from the list below:

committee / addendum / secretary / proposer / affiliate / point of order/ ad hoc / constitution / guillotine / minutes / chairperson / verbatim / adjournment / casting vote / status quo / consensus / attendance register / ballot / agenda / motion / co-opt / second / amendment / resolution / quorum / proxy / treasurer

  1. A proposal or suggestion at a meeting.
  2. Someone who offers a motion.
  3. One in support of a motion.
  4. An accepted motion.
  5. An accurate record of things discussed.
  6. Postponement of a meeting.
  7. The rules governing an organisation.
  8. To reach an agreement.
  9. The minimum number of members who must be present at a meeting.
  10. In addition.
  11. The person responsible for administrative duties.
  12. The person who leads the proceedings.
  13. The member in charge of the finances.
  14. The list of topics to be discussed.
  15. A secret vote on paper.
  16. IIf a person is authorised to vote on behalf of someone else.
  17. A committee which is elected for specific purpose.
  18. The position as is – no change.
  19. The second vote of the chairperson to avoid a deadlock.
  20. Word for word.
  21. A list of members present at a meeting.
  22. A group of persons with a specific task.
  23. When limited time is allowed for discussion.
  24. Informing the chairperson that the discussion is outside the parameter of the topic.

Hallo

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