The chairperson's job is to direct the meeting. He or she decides whose turn it is to speak, when to move on to a new topic, and when to take votes. Families can select a chairperson at the end of each meeting to be responsible for the next meeting. Chairpersons can be chosen in a number of ways, for example, in alphabetical order, by age, etc. What is important is that each family member takes turns being the chairperson.
Families can also choose a secretary for each meeting.
The role of the secretary is to write down all decisions made at each meeting, and all topics discussed. Family members selected for this position should be limited to those who are able to write. Family meetings should be used to teach problem solving skills to children. For each problem, families should begin by trying to clearly define exactly what the problem is. Then they should try to generate a list of possible solutions.