President (corporate title)

Originally, the term president was used to designate someone who presided over a meeting, and was used in the same way that foreman or overseer is used now (the term is still used in that sense today).[4][5] It has now also come to mean "chief officer" in terms of administrative or executive duties.

President presiding over the AGM of a small volunteer organization. President sitting at the left of table in the background.

In addition to administrative or executive duties in organizations, a president has the duties of presiding over meetings.[6] Such duties at meetings include:

• calling the meeting to order
• determining if a quorum is present
• announcing the items on the order of business or agenda as they come up
• recognition of members to have the floor
• enforcing the rules of the group
• putting all questions (motions) to a vote
• adjourning the meeting

While presiding, a president remains impartial and does not interrupt speakers if a speaker has the floor and is following the rules of the group.[7] In committees or small boards, the president votes along with the other members. However, in assemblies or larger boards, the president should vote only when it can affect the result.[8] At a meeting, the president only has one vote (i.e. the president cannot vote twice and cannot override the decision of the group unless the organization has specifically given the president such authority).[9]

The powers of the president vary widely across organizations. In some organizations the president has the authority to hire staff and make financial decisions, while in others the president only makes recommendations to a board of directors, and still others the president has no executive powers and is mainly a spokesperson for the organization. The amount of power given to the president depends on the type of organization, its structure, and the rules it has created for itself.[10]

If the president exceeds the given authority, engages in misconduct, or fails to perform the duties, the president may face disciplinary procedures. Such procedures may include censure, suspension, or removal from office. The rules of the particular organization would provide details on who can perform these disciplinary procedures and the extent that they can be done.[11] Usually, whoever appointed or elected the president has the power to discipline this officer.

Some organizations may have a position of President-elect in addition to the position of President. Generally the membership of the organization elects a president-elect and when the term of the president-elect is complete, that person automatically becomes president.[12]

Some organizations may have a position of immediate past president in addition to the position of president.[13][14][15] In those organizations, when the term of the president is complete, that person automatically fills the position of immediate past president. The organization can have such a position only if the bylaws provide it.[16] The duties of such a position would also have to be provided in the bylaws.[16]

• Bennett, Nathan; Stephen A. Miles (2006). Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-5166-8.
• National Association of Parliamentarians, Education Committee (1993). Spotlight on You the President. Independence, MO: National Association of Parliamentarians. ISBN 1-884048-15-3.