Is president the same as chairman?

Answer 1

In a general sense, the words 'president' and (ahem) 'chairperson' are similar. Their roles are overlapping, but the terms are not exactly synonymous. Although neither of the two words has a precise meaning that is distinct from the other, 'chairperson' suggests a more limited role than does 'president.' Many organizations have presidents, and in this context an organization can be anything from a local community association to a multi-national corporation. The president of an organization is usually the chief executive officer of that organization. If an organization has a comprehensive constitution, the duties of each executive member are usually listed in some detail. Usually, one of the duties of a president is to act as chairperson of the organization's meetings, but the term 'president' often implies ongoing responsibilities within the organization. In large organizations, the president might even be a full-time employee performing his or her presidential responsibilities. The role of a chairperson is usually limited to meetings. A chairperson is someone who coordinates whatever discussions are carried on at a particular meeting. That person often introduces both the agenda items and the speakers, or at least acknowledges the order in which people speak. S/he makes decisions as to whether or when a particular issue will be discussed. There are several generally recognized 'Rules of Order' to guide a chairperson, the most common being Roberts' Rules of Order. A person can act as the chairperson of a meeting on a one-time-only basis. With respect to the word 'President' when it is used in reference to a country's head of state, the term takes on political and governmental overtones. In this context, the word is usually capitalized. The duties and responsibilities of a President are complex, and could include acting as chairperson of certain committees, but not necessarily so. Such matters are often spelled out in detail, either in the country's constitution or other important documents.