5 Modes of Gameplay

Set Up

"Settle in" time: when people take their places, miniatures and dice and "gaming provisions" are distributed, introductions of players are made (for new people and such)
Character Updates: if characters leveled up or acquired important new items at the end of the last session or between games, this is the time for the party to be updated
"Previously on . . ." : story recap - one person recounts what happened last session

This is also any point when the DM is informing the players where they are, what they are doing, how they got there, etc.

Exploration

When the PCs are moving through a dungeon, ruin, forest or other such location new to the PCs
Exploration mode is where the Team Leader comes in. (Team Leader to be explained in future email on Rotating Jobs)
Narrative focused, lead-in to many encounters and challenges. A good portion of a gaming session

Conversation

The most in-character part of the game. Social interaction amongst party members and (mostly) NPCs
Information gathering largely, sometimes part of a Skill Challenge
Appropriate time to speak in your character's voice

Encounter

Combat and Non-Combat
Usually get 2-4 in during a gaming session (our goal will be at least 3)
Time for initiative, attack roles, and XP gaining!

Passing Time

What I like to call "downtime" which will progress something like the following (to keep the game rolling)
- DM explains what happened, what is going to happen next (before and after the Passing Time)
- DM asks each player, in turn, what they are doing during the downtime - usually like one thing they want to accomplish
- DM summarizes results, with die rolls as needed
- rinse and repeat the above as necessary (within a certain time frame)