Ex officio member

An ex officio member is someone who is part of a group, like a board, committee, or council, simply because they hold another job. The word ex officio comes from Latin and means "from the office." It shows that a person is a member of the group because of the position they already have, not because they were chosen especially for that group.

According to Robert's Rules of Order, being an ex officio member only describes how a person joins the group. Their rights and duties are usually the same as other members, unless the group's rules say something different. This idea focuses on the job the person holds, not who the person is.

There are other ideas that are different from ex officio, such as dual mandate, where one person holds two separate jobs that are not connected, and personal union, when two countries have the same ruler.

For profit and nonprofit use

An ex officio member is someone who is automatically part of a group, like a committee or board, just by holding another job. This idea comes from special rules called bylaws. For example, the bylaws might say that the organization's president is automatically a member of every committee, except the one that picks new leaders.

Political offices

Andorra

The president of the French Republic and the Catholic Bishop of Urgell are automatically appointed Co-Princes of Andorra because of their other roles.

Australia

In Australia, the Liberal–National Coalition is a partnership between two main political groups. The leader of the Liberal Party usually becomes the Leader of the Coalition, and the leader of the National Party becomes the Deputy Leader. When the Coalition wins an election, the Liberal leader often becomes Prime Minister, and the National leader becomes Deputy Prime Minister.

Botswana

In Botswana, the president of Botswana and the Speaker of the National Assembly are automatic members of the National Assembly.

Brazil

In the past, some princes in the Empire of Brazil became members of the Imperial Senate when they turned 25. Today, the president of the Federal Senate is automatically the president of the National Congress, though this role is not officially recognized.

Canada

Judges of the Federal Court are automatically members of the Federal Court of Appeal, and vice versa.

China

The General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party is automatically a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the top decision-making group in the party. The General Secretary has also been the head of the party's military commission since 1989.

Hong Kong

The Executive Council of Hong Kong includes automatic members, known as official members, and other members. These automatic members usually include top government secretaries.

France

Former presidents of France are automatic members of the Conseil constitutionnel for life.

India

The Vice-President of India is automatically the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. The prime minister of India is also automatically the Chairman of NITI Aayog.

Italy

Former presidents of Italy are automatic members for life of the Senate.

North Korea

The General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea is automatically a member of the Presidium of the Politburo, the top decision-making body of the party. The General Secretary is also the head of the party's military commission.

Philippines

In the Philippines, leaders of Congress and their deputies, as well as majority and minority leaders, are automatic members of all committees. Local leaders of youth and village groups also serve as automatic members of provincial, city, and municipal boards.

Russia

The Russian prime minister, leaders of the State Duma and Federation Council, and other top officials are automatic members of the State Council, an advisory body to the head of state. The President of Russia is automatically the chairman of this council and also of the Security Council.

United Kingdom

In the House of Lords, bishops of certain important churches are automatic members and can vote like other members. The prime minister of the United Kingdom is also automatically the First Lord of the Treasury.

Scotland

The Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland automatically serves as the head of Scotland's judiciary, president of the Court of Session, and president of the High Court of Justiciary.

United States

The vice president of the United States can vote in the Senate to break ties. Leaders of the parties in both houses are automatic members of intelligence committees. Many committee chairs in the House of Representatives are also automatic members of subcommittees.

Colorado

In Denver and Broomfield, Colorado, certain appointed officials serve automatically as the county sheriff.

New York City

The Speaker of the New York City Council and its leaders are automatic members of each council committee. Each council member is also an automatic, non-voting member of community boards that include their constituents.

Vietnam

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam is automatically the head of the party's military commission, making them the top leader of the military.

Catholic Church example

Portugal

The Bishop of Coimbra holds the title of the Countship of Arganil because of their job. This title has been kept even after Portugal became a republic.