Read Meetings in English for Free Online Page A

packaging“. We've already heard everyone's views on this topic, so could we move straight to a show of hands for cardboard? That's six. Thank you. For the minutes, that's a majority decision in favour of cardboard.
Useful phrases
Could we make a yes or no decision on this item? Could all those in favour please raise their hands?
Could we have a show of hands for going ahead with the measure, please?
Am I right in saying that we've decided in favour of/ against this move?
So we have decided to commission Union Brozers with the catering for the event.
Is it okay with everybody to bring the launch forward by two weeks?
It would certainly be wrong to rush into a decision. Could we leave this until another time?
Useful vocabulary
    to opt for: sich entscheiden für
    majority decision: Mehrheitsentscheidung
    show of hands: per Handzeichen
    Closing the meeting
    Initiating further action
    Before the meeting closes, all the „to dos“ should be allocated. In the closing remarks, the chairperson or participants may also wish to discuss the date and time for the next meeting, when the minutes will be available or the date by which a decision should be made.
    Example: allocating follow-up tasks
    Chair: Jo has kindly offered to follow this up with the shipping department. Can you do this before next week's meeting, Jo?
    Jo: Yes, no problem.
    Chair: Great. Can somebody volunteer to contact the supplier before next week? David? Thank you. We're almost out of time, but does anyone have any last questions before we finish? No? Well, so we can finish the meeting. Thank you all for coming and for your input. I wish David a safe flight back to Brussels.
Useful phrases
We need somebody to contact the supplier. Ian, could you do this for us?
Tina has offered to file the application. How long do you think this process will take, Tina?
Could you follow this up for us, please?
Thanks for volunteering to do this, Marina. Do you think this will be possible in time for next week's meeting?
Georg, when will you be able to email out today's minutes to everyone?
Betty, do you think you could get back to us on that tomorrow by email?
We'll meet again on the first of next month.
I'll send out a group email with the minutes tomorrow.
Can we fix the date for the next meeting, please?
So, the next meeting will be on next Tuesday.
What about the following Wednesday? How is that for everyone?
    Bringing the meeting to a close
    There are different reasons why a meeting comes to an end. Time may have run out or all of the items on the agenda may have been checked off. Some meetings will end earlier than expected and others will run late. Before the chair closes the meeting, he or she will let the participants know the meeting is drawing to a close.
Useful phrases
    Formal meetings
I am officially ending today's meeting. You will receive the minutes within two days.
I declare the meeting closed.
The meeting is adjourned until tomorrow, 8.00 a.m.
    Informal meetings
It looks like we've run out of time.
Before we bring the meeting to a close, does anyone have any other business to discuss?
Well, we're almost out of time for today. Are there any last questions before we finish?
Is there any other business?
I think we've covered everything on the agenda.
As you can all see from the agenda, that was the last item. If no one has anything else to add, then I think we'll wrap this up.
That brings us to the end of the meeting.
Let's call it a day, then.
The meeting is closed.
    Thanking the attendees
    Thanking the participants is usually one of the last remarks. However, even after closing the meeting the chairperson might realise they have forgotten something. There is almost always one last thing to say.
Useful phrases
I'd like to thank you all for coming and I wish you a safe journey back.
Thank you all for your participation.
I'd especially like to thank Karl for coming over from Glasgow.
Oh, before you leave, please make sure you have signed the attendance sheet.
Could I