1. Read the following fax message and underline uses of the gerund. Then classify them according to use in the table below.

Subject of a verb	Object of a verb	After a preposition

Gorliz & Zimmerman

11436 S.B.Drive,Auckland 46032

Telephone(1) 503 786432, Fax (1) 503786333

Fax to: Peter Anderson

Accounts Dept

From: Harriet Gorman

Dear Peter

Re: Harawi Project 2001

On checking the above file we find that you are correct in thinking the cost estimates for the coming year are excessive. We regret that in calculating labor costs some errors appeared in our analysis. We are presently repeating the study which involves reviewing all the figures.

Working in partnership with Harris & Co is proving very useful and we are sure that there will be many benefits. We look forward to having a joint meeting soon. We are also involved in calculating costs for the following year and will let you know as soon as they are finished.

We must meet soon, otherwise we risk not having everything ready for the MD in June, but it’s not worth fixing a date today, as I don’t yet know my movements for the rest of this month.

Best wishes,

Harriet

Harriet

2. Find in Parts 1-4 all the Gerunds. Identify the function of the Gerund in each sentence.

3. Talk about your work or studies. Use the Gerund.

current projects your responsibilities (use ‘be responsible for’) recent successes (use ‘succeed in’)

likes, dislikes recent suggestions (use ‘suggest’) the future (use ‘look forward to’)

Final Discussion

1. Think of any benefits or advantages of committees. Your partner will think of the disadvantages of committees. Give your arguments in favour of your idea and ground your point of view.

2. According to the minutes of the meeting draft its agenda. Use the sample from Supplement 2.

3. Project work 1.

Invent a company. Conduct all the necessary startup activities. Use information from Part 1. (consult the article “Legal Requirements…” from Unit 1.)

4. Project work 2. What are the most important issues of the company that Board of Directors’ terms of reference cover? Use the experience of the world famous companies.

UNIT 4

BOARD of DIRECTORS JOB DESCRIPTION

Starting up

1. A) What is job description? Define it, characterize its aim and content.

b) Read the following definitions of ‘job description’ and find out which of them are the clearest and aptest. Compare them with your own. Explain your choice.

1. a summary of objectives of a job, the type of work, the responsibilities of the job, the necessary skills, the working conditions, and the relationship of the job to other functions.

2. a written statement of what the job-holder actually does, how he or she does it, and under what conditions the job is performed.

3. It not only describes job activities, but sets out the job in terms of its vital, and potentially most productive, responsibilities. The key tasks indicated here have definite performance standards against which they can be measured over a period of time(usually one year). These standards should express satisfactory performance and they are usually expressed in terms of end-results as in the following formula:

4. k ey tasks performance standards control data