Glossary
What does “Timekeeper” mean?
The person in a meeting who watches the clock and tells the group when an item’s time is nearly up.
What it means
The person in a meeting who watches the clock and tells the group when an item’s time is nearly up. Separating it from facilitating lets the facilitator focus on the discussion.
An example
“Two minutes left on this item,” says the timekeeper; the group agrees to finish the point and move on, putting the rest in the parking lot.
Not to be confused with: Facilitator
The facilitator runs the whole process; the timekeeper does one job — time — and supports the facilitator.
Where you will see it
In workshops, board and committee meetings, retrospectives and any timeboxed agenda — and in meeting guides that suggest rotating roles so the same person is not always the one watching the clock.
Questions
Does every meeting need a timekeeper?
Not small ones; it helps in long meetings, workshops and any meeting that keeps overrunning.
Should the timekeeper stop people mid-sentence?
No — signal shortly before time is up, and let the group decide whether to continue or move on.
How should a timekeeper signal time?
Agree the signal before the meeting — a hand raised, a message in the chat, a visible countdown — so it is not taken personally when it comes during someone’s point.
Other meeting words
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