Abstract: A telephone conferencing and inquiry handling apparatus and method provide a plurality of incoming calls with access to one or more ongoing or new communications groupings or pools. Apparatus for monitoring the level of voice energy on the incoming lines allows identification of a caller and allows registration of callers' opinions, i.e. votes. Confirmation signals provide a caller with audible feedback that his vote has been recorded. New subscribers, or limited or restricted subscribers, can access the system on a monitor-only basis, in which they can listen to ongoing conversation pools but are unable themselves to speak with other members of the pool.