What is the meaning of ex officio authority?
With the exception of a sole proprietorship, almost every business is governed by a board of directors. The majority of these boards include at least one ex officio member. “Ex officio” is a Latin term meaning “by virtue of office or position.”Defining “Ex Officio”According to Henry M. Robert in “Robert’s Rules of Order,” ex-officio members of boards and committees gain that position by virtue of some other office or position they hold.Member PrivilegesAn ex officio member of a board or committee has the same rights and privileges as any other member, including the right to vote.Business ExamplesOne example in a business setting is the inclusion of a company’s IT director on any company committees that deal with software processes. In another, a president or CEO can be designated an ex officio member of her company’s board of directors.Ex Officio Member AuthorityAn ex officio member of a board automatically is appointed to the board with the same rights to propose items, vote and speak
