Female Chair?

[Guest Sherry W]

What is the proper reference for a female chair of a board?  Should she be referred to as Chairman, Chairperson, etc?

[Rev Ed]

Chairperson?  It is ultimately up to the organization (with some input from the lady) to decide.  Madame Chairman works, as does Madame Chairperson. 

[Guest Sherry W]

I'm thinking more of when she is addressed in the minutes.  Such as Chairman Smith announced the next board meeting......and when she signs the minutes - Betty A. Smith, Chairman...

[Josh Martin]

What is the proper reference for a female chair of a board?  Should she be referred to as Chairman, Chairperson, etc?

 

"Chairman" is the preferred term in RONR for a presiding officer with no other title (regardless of gender), but some alternatives such as "chairperson" or "chair" have become increasingly common and are used in many organizations. It's really up to the customs of your organization (and I agree that the personal preferences of the presiding officer should be considered as well).

[g40]

"Chair" is the term/title that I see being used more frequently. An organization where I am a Board member and an officer has a section in the Bylaws listing titles used by various officials, and our bylaws say "Chair" or "Chairman".

[rthib]

Chairmen is correct.

Chairmen does not refer to a gender but a species.

Thus the society of dogs playing poker has a chairdog even it is lassie,

The smurfs have a chairsmurf even if smurfette is elected

[Josh Martin]

Chairmen is correct.

Chairmen does not refer to a gender but a species.

 

"A person presiding at a meeting who has no regular title or whose position is only temporary is addressed as "Mr. [or Madam] Chairman" by long-established usage. Several variations of this form—such as "chairperson" or "chair"—are now frequently encountered, however, and may be in use as the general practice in particular assemblies." (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 23)