Q.Explain the powers and duties of the Chairman of a co-operative society.

The chairman (president) is the head of the society and leader of the managing committee, and his best-known function is to preside over its meetings.

The chairman — also called the president — is the head of a co-operative society and the leader of its managing committee. He is elected or appointed by the committee from among its members, subject to the Act and bye-laws, and holds office for the term laid down. His role combines the functions of presiding over meetings with the wider responsibility of providing leadership to the society.

His most visible function is to preside over meetings. The chairman presides over the meetings of the managing committee and over the general meetings of the society. In this capacity he conducts the proceedings in an orderly way according to the agenda, maintains discipline and decorum in the meeting, allows members a fair opportunity to speak, and puts resolutions to the vote and declares the result. Where the bye-laws so provide, in the case of an equality of votes on a question the chairman has a casting (second) vote, by which the tie is broken and the matter decided. After a meeting, once the minutes are confirmed at the next meeting, the chairman signs them, and he often signs important documents, agreements, cheques, and correspondence on behalf of the society, jointly with the secretary or treasurer as the bye-laws require.

Beyond presiding, the chairman provides overall leadership and guidance to the society. He sees to it that the decisions of the committee and of the general body are duly carried out; he guides and co-ordinates the work of the other office-bearers and the staff; and he represents the society on important occasions and in its dealings with outside authorities, including the Registrar and the financing banks. The bye-laws may empower him to sanction urgent expenditure or to take urgent decisions in an emergency, subject to later confirmation by the committee, within the limits laid down. …