Body corporate chairman runs meetings

THE PRESCRIBED management rules for bodies corporate are clear on the procedures and duties of a chairman, but it is important to remember that a chairman has no “special powers” in the day-to-day running of the scheme.

The chairman is a normal trustee of the body corporate and his main role is to run proceedings at meetings.

The only time the chairman has power over any other trustee is when there is a deadlock at a trustee meeting, when the chairman will have the deciding or casting vote, says Michael Bauer, the general manager of IHFM property management company.

“The chairman would be elected at the start of the first meeting of trustees after that year’s annual meeting and will hold office until the end of the next annual meeting.

“In PMR 19, allowance is made for the removal of a chairperson by the trustees at a trustee meeting or by the body corporate at a special meeting once notice has been given to all that it is the trustees’ intention. A new chairperson must be elected if this does happen, or if the elected chair chooses to resign. A new chairperson must then be elected for the remainder of the period, according to PMR 20.

“According to PMR 21, it is also possible that if the chairperson vacates his position during a meeting or for some reason cannot be present, the trustees can choose another chairperson for that meeting, who will have the same rights during voting as the permanent chairperson.”