Chairperson facts for kids
A chairperson (also called chairman, chairwoman, or just chair) is the person who leads a group, like a company board, a committee, or a meeting. This person is usually chosen by the group members. Their main job is to make sure meetings run smoothly and that the group's work gets done in an organized way.
Sometimes, the chairperson might also be called a president or another title. In other groups, the chairperson and president are different roles. The word "chairman" can be used for any gender, but "chairperson" or "chair" are often preferred because they don't suggest a specific gender. When someone "chairs" an event, it means they are leading it.
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What's in a Name?
There are many names for the person who leads a meeting or group. These include chair, chairperson, chairman, chairwoman, convenor, facilitator, moderator, president, and presiding officer. In a parliament, the leader of the meeting is sometimes called the speaker.
The word chair has been used to mean a position of authority since the 1600s. Some people think the word chairman is not fair because it sounds like it's only for men. Many style guides, like those used for business writing, suggest using chair or chairperson instead.
How We Use the Terms
The word chair can also mean the actual spot where the leader sits or stands. During meetings, the person in charge is said to be "in the chair" and is also called "the chair." When speaking in a meeting, people usually address the leader as "Mr. (or Madam) Chairman (or Chair or Chairperson)" instead of using their name. This helps keep the leader fair and objective.
In old British music hall shows, the chairman was like the master of ceremonies. They would introduce the acts and keep the audience in order. This role became famous on British TV in the 1960s and 1970s with Leonard Sachs on a show called The Good Old Days.
The title "Chairman" became very important in some socialist countries after 1917. Leaders like Vladimir Lenin in Russia were called "Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars" instead of prime minister. In China, Mao Zedong was famously known as "Chairman Mao" because he was the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party.
What Chairpersons Do
Leading Meetings
Besides their other jobs in an organization, chairpersons are in charge of meetings. Their duties include:
- Starting the meeting.
- Checking if enough members are present (this is called a quorum).
- Announcing the topics on the agenda.
- Deciding who gets to speak.
- Making sure everyone follows the group's rules.
- Asking for votes on ideas (motions) after discussions.
- Ending the meeting.
While leading, the chairperson should stay neutral. They shouldn't interrupt someone who is speaking, as long as that person is following the rules. In smaller groups, the chairperson usually votes like everyone else. In larger groups, they might only vote if their vote would change the outcome. A chairperson only gets one vote, just like other members.
Their Power
The amount of power a chairperson has can be very different from one group to another. In some organizations, they can hire staff and make financial decisions. In others, they might only suggest ideas to a board of directors and have no power to make big decisions themselves. In such cases, they mostly act as a spokesperson for the group. The power they have depends on the type of organization and its own rules.
If Things Go Wrong
If a chairperson uses too much power, acts improperly, or doesn't do their job, they can face consequences. These might include being officially criticized (called censure), being temporarily removed (suspension), or even being permanently removed from their position (removal from office). The organization's rules explain who can take these actions. Usually, the group that chose or elected the chairperson also has the power to discipline them.
Chairpersons in Big Companies
There are three main types of chairpersons in large public companies (companies whose shares can be bought and sold by the public).
Chairman and CEO
Sometimes, the chief executive officer (CEO), who is the top manager, also holds the title of chairperson. In these cases, the company's board often chooses an independent board member to be a "lead director." This person helps make sure the board works well and independently.
Executive Chairman
An executive chairperson is a separate role from the CEO. This person has a lot of influence over how the company runs day-to-day. For example, Larry Ellison at Oracle and Steve Case at AOL Time Warner have held this role. At a company like HSBC, the group chair is considered the highest position, even above the chief executive. They lead the board and represent the company in meetings with government officials.
Non-executive Chairman
A non-executive chairperson is also a separate role from the CEO, but unlike an executive chairperson, they don't get involved in the company's daily operations. Many companies around the world have separated these roles, believing it helps the company be run more fairly and openly. The non-executive chairperson's main jobs are usually related to the board itself, such as:
- Leading the board meetings.
- Organizing the board's activities, like setting its yearly plan.
- Checking and reviewing how well the CEO and other board members are doing.
Examples
In the US, it's common for a company to have an executive chairperson (where the same person is both CEO and chairman). This is sometimes called the "American model." In the UK and Canada, it's more common to have a non-executive chairperson, which is sometimes called the "British model." Experts have different opinions on which model is better. More and more, investors want companies with an executive chairperson to also have a strong independent director to offer a different point of view.
Companies that have both an executive chairperson and a CEO include Ford, HSBC, Alphabet Inc., and HP.
Vice-chairperson and Deputy Chairperson
A vice-chairperson or deputy chairperson is a person who helps the chairperson. They step in to lead meetings when the main chairperson is away, or when a topic about the chairperson is being discussed. If both the chairperson and vice-chairperson are absent, the group might choose a chairperson pro tempore to lead just for that one meeting.
In some organizations, there might be many vice-chairpersons but only one deputy chairperson, making the deputy chairperson a higher rank. This type of deputy chairperson usually gives advice but doesn't manage daily operations.
Sometimes, "vice-chairperson" or "deputy chairperson" can also mean an executive who is higher in rank or has more experience than a regular executive vice-president.
See also
- Executive director
- Non-executive director
- Parliamentary procedure in the corporate world
- President (corporate title)
