Who Are Your Officers?
Every group or organization needs at least two officers: a presiding officer and a secretary or clerk. Most groups need more. Larger groups, especially those that do service in the community, may have more officers and committees than other, smaller groups do.
Customary Offices
Most groups will have a chair or president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. Larger groups may also have a corresponding secretary. Depending on the size and purpose of your organization, you may also have directors, trustees, or managers who sit on an executive board; a historian; a librarian; a curator; a chaplain; a sergeant-at-arms; a doorkeeper; honorary officers; or even a parliamentarian. Some groups, particularly those that are governing bodies, even have an attorney.
Officer Qualifications, Please?
The duties and responsibilities of officers may differ widely among other groups and organizations. Particular groups have particular needs for officers — everything from specific experience and knowledge to personality traits — to make them run efficiently.
After all, who wants a president who has the personality of a tyrant, however qualified she is for the presidency? Especially if it's a club where people come to have a good time! Likewise, a group that is dedicated to community service may need someone savvy with grant writing to accomplish its goals.
ESSENTIAL
Officers have the same rights as members do to make motions, debate those motions, and vote. The only exception is the president, who is required to be impartial, and therefore has restricted rights in the group.
Do your bylaws state that there are qualifications for officers? Many do. There may be requirements that a candidate be a member for a certain length of time before becoming an officer. Some groups that handle large amounts of money require that prospective treasurers be subject to a criminal background check and be bonded.
