H/t to Jared for drawing my attention to Art. 7, sec. 3 of the Indiana Constitution. Looks like it could use some updating:
Section 3. Chief Justice. The Chief Justice of the State shall be selected by the judicial nominating commission from the members of the Supreme Court and
hethe Chief Justice shall retain that office for a period of five years, subject to reappointment in the same manner, except that a member of the Court may resign the office of Chief Justice without resigning from the Court. During a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice caused by absence, illness, incapacity or resignation all powers and duties of that office shall devolve upon the member of the Supreme Court who is senior in length of service and if equal in length of service the determination shall be by lot until such time as the cause of the vacancy is terminated or the vacancy is filled.The Chief Justice of the State shall appoint such persons as the General Assembly by law may provide for the administration of his office. The Chief Justice shall have prepared and submit to the General Assembly regular reports on the condition of the courts and such other reports as may be requested.
Also:
Section 9. Judicial Nominating Commission. There shall be one judicial nominating commission for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. This commission shall, in addition, be the commission on judicial qualifications for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
The judicial nominating commission shall consist of seven members, a majority of whom shall form a quorum, one of whom shall be the Chief Justice of the State or a Justice of the Supreme Court whom
hethe Chief Justice may designate, who shall act aschairman.chair. Those admitted to the practice of law shall elect three of their number to serve as members of said commission. All elections shall be in such manner as the General Assembly may provide. The Governor shall appoint to the commission three citizens, not admitted to the practice of law. The terms of office and compensation for members of a judicial nominating commission shall be fixed by the General Assembly. No member of a judicial nominating commission other than the Chief Justice orhisthe Chief Justice’s designee shall hold any other salaried public office. No member shall hold an office in a political party or organization. No member of the judicial nominating commission shall be eligible for appointment to a judicial office so long ashethe individual is a member of the commission and for a period of three years thereafter.
There. Fixed. Mostly.
I agree with all but “chairman” as that is a gender neutral term.
Kind of. But kind of not. “Chair” communicates the same meaning without being too stilted. Possibly considered too informal?
I always knew you’d come out as one of those “the Constitution must be amended” folks. I blame the Wabash River water.
Nah. It was my work at the Legislative Services Agency. We amended stuff like it was our job.
Recently ran across the “Chairman” v. “Chair” issue in Robert’s Rules. Chairman, according to Robert is the presiding officer of any group that does not name that person the president. Chair is the person presiding at the meeting at that time, usually but not always the chairman. But, I agree with Doug, and use Chair as the gender neutral label for both.