Secretary (title)

Last updated

Secretary is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of authority, power, or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the organization. The term is derived from the Latin word secernere, "to distinguish" or "to set apart", the passive participle (secretum) meaning "having been set apart", with the eventual connotation of something private or confidential, as with the English word secret. A secretarius was a person, therefore, overseeing business confidentially, usually for a powerful individual (a king, pope, etc.).

Contents

The official title of the leader of most communist and socialist political parties is the "General Secretary of the Central Committee" or "First Secretary of the Central Committee". When a communist party is in power, the general secretary is usually the country's de facto leader (though sometimes this leader also holds state-level positions to monopolize power, such as a presidency or premiership in order to constitute de jure leadership of the state), such as China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba. [1]

In England, the term secretarius was used "from the beginning of the thirteenth century in the varying meanings of a confidential clerk, an ambassador, or a member of the king's council". [2] In the fourteenth century, the title became strongly associated with the keeper of the king's signet. [2] From the Renaissance to the late 19th century, men involved in the daily correspondence and the activities of the powerful assumed the title of secretary. With time, like many titles, the term was applied to more and varied functions, leading to compound titles to specify the authority associated with its use, like general secretary or financial secretary.

In some countries, such as the United States, the term secretary is used to indicate the holder of a cabinet-level post. There are a number of popular variations of the title used to indicate that the secretary in question has a high degree of authority, such as general secretary (or, following usage in the Norman language, secretary-general), first secretary, and executive secretary.

In a club or society, the secretary is also considered to be, in most cases, the third person in charge of the organization, after the president/chairman and vice president/vice chairman. [3] In smaller organizations, the secretary typically takes meeting minutes, notifies members of meetings, contacts various persons in relation to the society, administers the day-to-day activities of the organization, and creates the order of business. The secretary of a non-governmental organization or international non-governmental organization can combine the function with that of vice president/vice chairman. [3]

General secretary

General secretary occurs as the title of a ministerial position of authority found in various organizations, such as trade unions, communist and socialist parties, and international non-governmental organizations. Examples include:

Communist Party

General secretary or first secretary is the official title of leaders of most Communist political parties. When a Communist party is the ruling party in a Communist-led one-party state, the general secretary is typically the country's de facto leader. Examples include:

Dravidian Party

General secretary is the official title of leaders of most Dravidian political parties, that are politically influential in Tamil Nadu of Southern India. Examples include:

Secretary-general

Examples include:

International intergovernmental organizations

OrganizationTitle
African Planning Society (APS) Secretary-General of the African Planning Society
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General of ASEAN
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community
Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth Secretary-General is the de facto leader. The secretary-general advises member nations and heads conferences with the Head of the Commonwealth, currently King Charles III.
Council of Europe (COE) Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Council of the European Union Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union
European Commission Secretary-General of the European Commission
European Court of Auditors Secretary-General of the European Court of Auditors
European Economic and Social Committee Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee
INTERPORTPOLICE Secretary General of the INTERPORTPOLICE [4]
League of Nations (19191946) Secretary General of the League of Nations
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)The Secretary General of NATO is the chief administrative officer of NATO.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General of the OECD
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General of the Organization of American States
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Secretary General of the UNASUR
United Nations (UN)The Secretary-General of the United Nations is described as the chief administrative officer and the de facto head of the United Nations. The Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations hires, terminates, and controls all United Nations staff and relief efforts around the World.
Western European Union (WEU) Secretary-General of the Western European Union

First secretary

First secretary is the title of the chief officer or leader in many organizations, and is also a modern diplomatic rank. Examples include:

Executive secretary

Examples include:

Secretary-treasurer

Within many organizations, the title of secretary is combined with that of treasurer. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All India Forward Bloc</span> Political party in India

The All India Forward Bloc (abbr.AIFB) is a left-wing nationalist political party in India. It emerged as a faction within the Indian National Congress in 1939, led by Subhas Chandra Bose. The party re-established as an independent political party after the independence of India. During the 1951–1952 and 1957 Indian general election, the party was known as Forward Bloc (Marxist). It has its main stronghold in West Bengal. The party's current Secretary-General is G. Devarajan. Veteran Indian politicians Sarat Chandra Bose (brother of Subhas Chandra Bose) and Chitta Basu had been the stalwarts of the party in independent India.

Dravida Peravai, is a political party in Puducherry, India. The DP was formed in 1996 by a break-away faction of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The Party claims to be a "Green" party. The present Party General Secretary is N. Nandhivarman. The DP strives to unite Tamils and impart a scientific outlook for the enrichment of Tamil culture. Despite claiming to be "Green" the Party has fought for national projects like the Indian Rivers Inter-link, the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project and the Tenth Degree Canal, an Indo-Thailand joint venture. The DP is concerned about future continental and coastal changes affecting Tamil Nadu and Tamils. The Dravida Peravai supports what they refer to as the "Tamil struggle" in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labour Progressive Federation</span> Political party Labour wing in India

The Labour Progressive Federation is a trade union federation in Tamil Nadu, India. The LPF is politically attached to the ruling Tamil Nadu party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam</span> Indian political party

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a political party active in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was established by Vaiko in 1994 after he left the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The headquarters of the party is called Thayagam, which is located at Rukmini Lakshmipathi Salai, Egmore, Chennai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam</span> Indian political party

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is an Indian regional political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a Dravidian party founded by the former leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Vijayakant (Captain) at Madurai on 14 September 2005. The party was led by its founder until 14 December 2023 from its date of founding. From 14 December 2023, the DMDK is led by Vijayakant's wife Premallatha Vijayakant as general secretary of the party. The party served as the main opposition party in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 27 May 2011 to 21 February 2016. The headquarters of the party is called Captain Aalayam, which is located at Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Koyambedu, Chennai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election</span> Election to the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu

The thirteenth legislative assembly election, of Tamil Nadu was held on 8 May 2006. It was held for all 234 constituencies to elect the government in the state for the following five years. The votes were counted three days later on 11 May 2006 and all the results were out by the end of the day. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led (DMK) front won the elections, with the DMK emerging as the single-largest party with 96 seats, and its leader, M Karunanidhi was sworn in as Chief Minister for a fifth and final term. This election marked the first time the state saw a hung assembly with no party gaining a majority of its own. As a result, DMK formed a minority government with its allies, which is the first in the state since the 1952 election. 13th Assembly was instituted due to this election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. R. Nedunchezhiyan</span> Indian politician (1920–2000)

V. R. Nedunchezhiyan was an Indian politician and writer. Tamil sengunthar He served thrice as the Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He served as a senior cabinet minister under the governments of C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. For his literary contributions, he was also known as "Navalar" or the eloquent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Tamil Nadu</span> Politics related to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu

Politics of Tamil Nadu is the politics related to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. D. Somasundaram</span> Indian politician (1930-2001)

Thiru SD Somasundaram also known as S.D.S., was a political leader and administrator who served as a cabinet minister of the Tamil Nadu state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election</span> Election to the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu

The eleventh legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held on 2 May 1996. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led front won the election and its leader M. Karunanidhi, became the chief minister. This was his fourth term in office. S. Balakrishnan also known as So. Balakrishnan of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), became the Leader of the Opposition. The incumbent All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government was defeated in a landslide manner with its general secretary and outgoing chief minister J. Jayalalithaa losing the election from the Bargur constituency. She became the first Incumbent Chief Minister since M. Bakthavatsalam in 1967 to lose her own constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election</span> Election to the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu

The sixth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held on 10 June 1977. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) won the election, defeating its rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). M. G. Ramachandran, the AIADMK founder and a prominent Tamil film actor, was sworn in as Chief Minister for the first time. The election was a four-cornered contest among the AIADMK, DMK, the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Janata Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election</span> Election to the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu

The fifth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held in March 1971, resulting in a re-election victory for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had first won under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai in 1967. The main opposition was the Indian National Congress (Organisation) led by K. Kamaraj, while the Indian National Congress (Indira) faction aligned with the DMK. This election marked the first victory for M. Karunanidhi as DMK leader, who assumed office as Chief Minister after Annadurai’s death. Karunanidhi, supported by M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in a leadership dispute with V. R. Nedunchezhiyan, secured his position with MGR and Vai. Balasundaram’s instrumental backing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1957 Madras State Legislative Assembly election</span>

The second legislative assembly election to the Madras state was held on 31 March 1957. This was the first election held after the linguistic reorganisation of Madras State in 1956. Indian National Congress and its leader, K. Kamaraj won the election and defeated their rival, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In 1954, due to the resignation of C. Rajagopalachari, for his controversial Kula Kalvi Thittam, the leadership of Congress was contested between K. Kamaraj, and C. Subramaniam. Eventually, K. Kamaraj, won the support of the party, was elected leader and chief minister of Madras State in 1954. In a surprise move, he appointed both M. Bhaktavatsalam and C. Subramaniam, to his cabinet, allowing great unity amongst the Congress that ruled the state of Madras, for the next decade. This election saw future DMK leaders M. Karunanidhi and K. Anbazhagan win their first MLA seats in the legislative assembly.

By-elections to nine state assembly constituencies were held in Tamil Nadu, in four separate phases. The election for Thirumangalam was held on 9 January and for Bargur, Thondamuthur, Ilaiyangudi, Cumbum, and Srivaikuntam constituencies on 18 August. Also, the election took place for Vandavasi and Tiruchendur constituency on 19 December 2009 and finally for Pennagaram constituency on 27 March 2010. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) defeated All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Thirumangalam in the first phase and kept the winning momentum in the following general election.

Sathyavani Muthu was an Indian politician and influential leader from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister. She began her political career as a member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, began her own party, Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam and later joined the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In late 1990s, she again joined in DMK.

In Indian politics, the Third Front refers to temporary alliances which began in 1989 among smaller parties to offer a third option to Indian voters. These alliances arose to challenge the Indian National Congress (INC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu</span> Elections in Tamil Nadu

The 2014 Indian general elections for Tamil Nadu's 39 seats in the 16th Lok Sabha were held on 24 April 2014. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by its general secretary J. Jayalalithaa won a spectacular victory, taking 37 of the 39 seats. The total electors in the state of Tamil Nadu for the election was 55,114,867 and 73.74% of voters exercised their right to do so. The results of the elections were declared on 16 May 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Tamil Nadu Assembly</span>

The fifth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held in March 1971. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was re-elected, after its first victory under the leadership of C N Annadurai in 1967. This was the first time M. Karunanidhi, contested as the leader of DMK party won the election, since he assumed Chief Ministership for the first time, after the death of C N Annadurai. Karunanidhi had emerged successfully in the leadership crisis with other party leaders M. G. Ramachandran, and Nedunchezhiyan, which ensued after the death of C. N. Annadurai. The main opposition party in the election was Indian National Congress (Organisation) led by K. Kamaraj, whereas the Indian National Congress (Indira) faction aligned with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. This was the last election that had only 2 major parties in Tamilnadu. After the election, MGR was slowly cornered out of DMK, and finally he formed AIADMK, which has since then been the close equal of DMK.

The DMK-led Alliance was an Indian regional political party alliance in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry led by the Dravidian party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founded by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu C. N. Annadurai in 1967.

References

  1. "Xi's here to stay: China leader tipped to outstay term". Yahoo! News . August 9, 2016. "A lot of analysts now see it as a given" that Xi will seek to stay Party General Secretary, the country's most powerful post, said Christopher K. Johnson, a former CIA analyst and now China specialist at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.
  2. 1 2 J. Otway-Ruthven, The King's Secretary and the Signet Office in the XV Century (1939), p. 60.
  3. 1 2 Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 4th edition, Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago, 1915, pp. 244–247.
  4. "Interportpolice". Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  5. "Secretary and Treasurer definition".