How to chair a strata meeting: a practical guide for presidents
A good chair makes a two-hour meeting take one. None of it requires a law degree or a copy of Robert's Rules. It requires an agenda, a few habits and the confidence to move things along.
Last reviewed November 10, 2026, against the current Strata Property Act, Strata Property Regulation and Standard Bylaws on BC Laws.
The short answer
At a BC strata general meeting, the president chairs, or the vice president if the president is unwilling or unable, and failing both the eligible voters elect a chair (Standard Bylaw 25). The chair's job is to follow the agenda, make sure every motion is stated clearly before the vote, call the vote, and announce the result so it can be recorded. Under the Standard Bylaws the president may cast a second, deciding vote to break a tie, except in a strata with only two lots.
Who chairs
For annual and special general meetings, Standard Bylaw 25 is explicit: the president, then the vice president, then a person elected by the eligible voters present in person or by proxy, chosen from those at the meeting. Some stratas ask their strata manager or a lawyer to chair a difficult meeting. Under the Standard Bylaws that requires the president and vice president to step aside and the meeting to elect the person.
For council meetings, the Standard Bylaws do not name a chair. By custom the president chairs and the vice president fills in. The chair of a council meeting is a voting member like any other.
Before the meeting
- Send the agenda early, with the documents people need to read.
- Put a time against each item. Thirty minutes of new business for a routine meeting is plenty.
- Know the motions. Draft the wording of expected motions in advance. See motion wording examples.
- Check quorum arithmetic before the day. For council, Standard Bylaw 16 sets quorum by council size. For general meetings, see quorum rules.
- Decide how you will count votes and who will count them.
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Running the meeting
- Call to order on time and state that quorum is present.
- Approve the agenda. This is the chair's best tool. Once the agenda is approved, anything off it can wait for next time.
- Take items in order. Introduce each item in a sentence, invite the report or discussion, then ask for a motion.
- One speaker at a time, through the chair. Invite those who have not spoken before allowing second turns.
- State the motion in full before the vote, or have the secretary read it back.
- Call the vote: in favour, opposed, abstentions.
- Announce the result with the count.
- Summarise the action: who will do what by when.
- Close by confirming the next meeting date and the time of termination.
Motions and votes
At council meetings, decisions are made by a majority of the council members present (Standard Bylaw 18), and the results of all votes must be recorded in the minutes. At general meetings, voting is by show of voting cards unless an eligible voter requests a precise count, in which case the chair decides whether it is by show of cards, roll call, secret ballot or another method. A secret ballot must be held if an eligible voter requests one (Standard Bylaw 27). The chair must announce the outcome of each vote, including the numbers for and against if a precise count was requested.
Tie votes. Under Standard Bylaws 18 and 27, the president (or at a general meeting the vice president, if the president is absent or unable or unwilling to vote) may break a tie by casting a second, deciding vote. This does not apply in a strata plan with only two lots. A tie that is not broken means the motion is defeated.
Abstentions are not counted in a majority or 3/4 vote at a general meeting, because those thresholds are measured against votes cast. See the vote calculator.
Phrases that work
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Discussion is circling | "I think we have heard the main points. Is someone prepared to make a motion?" |
| Someone is off topic | "That is a fair point for new business. Let us finish this item first." |
| Two people are arguing | "Please address your comments to the chair." |
| A motion is unclear | "Before we vote, let me read the motion so the minutes are accurate." |
| Time is running out | "We have five minutes left on this item. Shall we vote or table it to next month?" |
| An observer interrupts at council | "Observers are welcome to listen. Council will take questions at the end." |
Owners and observers
Owners may attend council meetings as observers (Standard Bylaw 17). Observers do not have a right to speak, though many councils allow a short owners' forum at the start or end. At general meetings, people who are not eligible voters may speak only if the chair permits (Standard Bylaw 26). When a meeting becomes heated, see dealing with disruptive owners.
Staying neutral
At a general meeting the chair is also an owner with a vote and a view. It is good practice to chair impartially: explain the resolution, let both sides speak, and avoid arguing the case from the chair. If the president wants to speak strongly for or against a resolution, the vice president can take the chair for that item.
Questions councils and owners ask
Who chairs a strata AGM in BC?
The president of council. If the president is unwilling or unable, the vice president. If neither chairs, the eligible voters present elect a chair.
Can the strata manager chair the AGM?
Only if the president and vice president do not chair and the eligible voters elect the manager as chair, or if your bylaws provide for it.
Does the chair get a vote?
Yes, if the chair is an eligible voter or council member. Under the Standard Bylaws the president may also cast a second vote to break a tie.
Does a strata meeting have to follow Robert's Rules?
No. The Act and Standard Bylaws set the rules that matter. See Robert's Rules and strata meetings.
Can the chair refuse to accept a motion?
The chair can rule a motion out of order if it is contrary to the Act or bylaws or was not properly noticed. Record the ruling in the minutes.
Chair the meeting. We will write it up.
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This page is general information for BC strata corporations, not legal advice. Your strata's own filed bylaws may differ from the Standard Bylaws. See the current text of the Strata Property Act and the Strata Property Regulation on BC Laws.
Related guides
President Duties
AGM Order of Business
Motions and Amendments
Robert's Rules and Strata Meetings
Disruptive Owners at Meetings
Secret Ballots and Voting Cards