Voorzitter

Voorzitter is the Dutch term for the person who presides over meetings and governing bodies. Common translations include chairperson or chair. The term is used in corporate boards, non-profit associations, clubs, and political assemblies in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders).

A voorzitter leads meetings, sets and enforces the agenda, moderates discussion, ensures fair procedure, and represents the organization in external affairs. The role is typically non-executive; the executive management, when present, operates separately. In many organizations the chair also holds a casting vote and coordinates committees, commissions, or working groups.

Appointment and term vary: the voorzitter is usually elected or appointed by the members or governing body for a set term, often with the possibility of reappointment. A vice-voorzitter or deputy may assist and stand in during absences. In some organizations the chair has additional duties related to governance, such as overseeing compliance or chairing the board’s deliberations.

In different contexts there are variants: bestuursvoorzitter (chair of the board), raadsvoorzitter (chair of the council), and, in government bodies, titles like voorzitter van de Tweede Kamer. The chair’s duties and authority depend on statutes and bylaws specific to the organization or institution.

Etymology: the word combines voor (before) and zitter (sitter), referring to someone who sits before others to lead. The form voorzitter is generally gender-neutral; voorzitster is rare or dated. The term contrasts with executive roles such as algemeen directeur or CEO, which denote management rather than presiding over meetings.