Parliamentary Officers

Parliamentary Law Officers

Introduction to Parliamentary Officers

The officers of a deliberative assembly include a presiding officer, who may be called the chairperson, speaker, president, or moderator; and a secretary or clerk. The presiding officer, whose office at a meeting is called the chair, must be fair in the exercise of authority. Because the presiding officer has the power of recognition, that is, of deciding which member is entitled to speak, he or she must be impartial and permit the presentation of opposing views. It is the duty of the chairperson to call the meeting to order, to see that motions are properly made, to preserve order and enforce rules of procedure, and to decide questions of order subject to the right of appeal by the whole assembly. If the presiding officer is a member of the organization, he or she may participate in debate, but he or she should relinquish the chair and ask another member to preside temporarily while doing so. In addition, he or she may vote to make or break a tie.

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Parliamentary Officers in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Parliamentary Officers