Patent ID: 8160912

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving, via at least one of a server computer and a client electronic device, an indication of a meeting being scheduled between a plurality of attendees, wherein at least one of the attendees is designated a moderator of the meeting; monitoring, via at least one of the server computer and the client electronic device, the actions of the designated moderator to determine if the designated moderator is capable of performing one or more moderator responsibilities associated with being the designated moderator, including determining, at least one of: how long it has been since the designated moderator has logged in to their computer system, how long it has been since the designated moderator has accessed their email account, how long it has been since the designated moderator has logged into their instant messaging account, and how long it has been since the designated moderator has checked their voice mail; in response to determining that the designated moderator is incapable of performing the one or more moderator responsibilities, designating, via at least one of the server computer and the client electronic device, an alternate moderator chosen from the plurality of attendees; and in response to determining that the designated moderator is again capable of performing the one or more moderator responsibilities, undesignating the alternate moderator and redesignating the designated moderator.