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'''Secretary''' is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of [[authority]], [[Power (social and political)|power]], or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the organization. The term is derived from the Latin word {{lang|la|secernere}}, "to distinguish" or "to set apart", the passive participle ({{lang|la|secretum}}) meaning "having been set apart", with the eventual connotation of something private or confidential, as with the English word ''secret.'' A {{lang|la|secretarius}} was a person, therefore, overseeing business confidentially, usually for a powerful individual (a king, pope, etc.). | '''Secretary''' is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of [[authority]], [[Power (social and political)|power]], or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the organization. The term is derived from the Latin word {{lang|la|secernere}}, "to distinguish" or "to set apart", the passive participle ({{lang|la|secretum}}) meaning "having been set apart", with the eventual connotation of something private or confidential, as with the English word ''secret.'' A {{lang|la|secretarius}} was a person, therefore, overseeing business confidentially, usually for a powerful individual (a king, pope, etc.). | ||
The official title of the [[party leader|leader]] of most [[communist party|communist]] and [[socialist party|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 of the Communist Party|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 [[President (government title)|presidency]] or [[premier]]ship in order to constitute ''[[de jure]]'' leadership of the state), such as [[China]], [[North Korea]], [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cuba]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Xi's here to stay: China leader tipped to outstay term|url=https:// | The official title of the [[party leader|leader]] of most [[communist party|communist]] and [[socialist party|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 of the Communist Party|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 [[President (government title)|presidency]] or [[premier]]ship in order to constitute ''[[de jure]]'' leadership of the state), such as [[China]], [[North Korea]], [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cuba]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Xi's here to stay: China leader tipped to outstay term|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2016/08/09/opinion/columnists/xis-here-to-stay-china-leader-tipped-to-outstay-term/278886/|newspaper=[[The Manila Times]]|date=9 August 2016|quote="A lot of analysts now see it as a given" that Xi will seek to stay [[Chinese Communist Party|Party]] [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|General Secretary]], the [[China|country]]'s most powerful [[Paramount leader|post]], said Christopher K. Johnson, a former CIA analyst and now China specialist at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.|access-date=28 November 2025|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref> | ||
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".<ref name="Ruthven">J. Otway-Ruthven, ''The King's Secretary and the Signet Office in the XV Century'' (1939), p. 60.</ref> In the fourteenth century, the title became strongly associated with the keeper of the king's [[signet ring|signet]].<ref name="Ruthven"/> 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 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".<ref name="Ruthven">J. Otway-Ruthven, ''The King's Secretary and the Signet Office in the XV Century'' (1939), p. 60.</ref> In the fourteenth century, the title became strongly associated with the keeper of the king's [[signet ring|signet]].<ref name="Ruthven"/> 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 (government)|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 some countries, such as the United States, the term ''secretary'' is used to indicate the holder of a [[cabinet (government)|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'''. A woman holding such an office is often addressed informally as "Madam Secretary". | ||
In a [[club (organization)|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.<ref name="Roberts">''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'', 4th edition, Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago, 1915, pp. 244–247.</ref> 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.<ref name="Roberts"/> | In a [[club (organization)|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.<ref name="Roberts">''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'', 4th edition, Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago, 1915, pp. 244–247.</ref> 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.<ref name="Roberts"/> | ||
Some [[Clerk (legislature)|legislative clerks]] in the upper house of [[State legislature (United States)|United States state legislatures]], among other places, may have the title "secretary" (see also "secretary general", below) | |||
==General secretary== | ==General secretary== | ||
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===Communist Party=== | ===Communist Party=== | ||
{{Main|General Secretary of the Communist Party}} | {{Main|General Secretary of the Communist Party}} | ||
{{Party politics}} | {{Party politics}} | ||
'''General secretary''' or '''first secretary''' is the official title of leaders of most [[Communist party|Communist political parties]]. When a Communist party is the ruling party in a [[communist state]], the general secretary is typically the country's ''[[de facto]]'' leader. Examples include: | |||
'''General secretary''' or '''first secretary''' is the official title of leaders of most [[Communist party|Communist political parties]]. When a Communist party is the ruling party in a | |||
*[[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] | *[[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] | ||
*[[General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam]] | *[[General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam]] | ||
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*[[General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party]] | *[[General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party]] | ||
*[[General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea]] | *[[General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea]] | ||
*[[President of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia|General Secretary of the League of | *[[President of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia|General Secretary of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Lists of political office-holders in East Germany|General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of East Germany]] | ||
*[[List of presidents of Czechoslovakia|General Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia]] | *[[List of presidents of Czechoslovakia|General Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia]] | ||
*[[Party of Labour of Albania|General Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania]] | *[[Party of Labour of Albania|General Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania]] | ||
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*[[Polish United Workers' Party|General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party]] | *[[Polish United Workers' Party|General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party]] | ||
*[[List of heads of state of Bulgaria|General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party]] | *[[List of heads of state of Bulgaria|General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party]] | ||
===Dravidian Party=== | |||
'''General secretary''' is the official title of leaders of most [[Dravidian parties|Dravidian political parties]], that are politically influential in [[Tamil Nadu]] of Southern [[India]]. Examples include: | |||
*[[General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] | |||
*General Secretary of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] | |||
*General Secretary of the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] | |||
*General Secretary of the [[Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam]] | |||
==Secretary-general== | ==Secretary-general== | ||
Examples include: | Examples include: | ||
===International organizations=== | |||
===International | |||
<!-- alphabetized ---> | <!-- alphabetized ---> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|[[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) | |[[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) | ||
|The [[Secretary General of NATO]] is the chief administrative officer of NATO | |The [[Secretary General of NATO]] is the chief administrative officer of NATO. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD) | |[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD) | ||
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|[[List of Secretaries General of the Western European Union|Secretary-General of the Western European Union]] | |[[List of Secretaries General of the Western European Union|Secretary-General of the Western European Union]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Others === | |||
Some [[Clerk (legislature)|legislative clerks]] also called "secretary general". | |||
== First secretary == | == 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: | '''First secretary''' is the title of the chief officer or leader in many organizations, and is also a modern [[diplomatic rank]]. Examples include: | ||
* Some consumer | * Some [[consumer organization]]s, such as the [[National Consumers League]] | ||
* Some political parties, especially [[Communist party|Communist]] or [[Socialist Party|Socialist Parties]] | * Some political parties, especially [[Communist party|Communist]] or [[Socialist Party|Socialist Parties]] | ||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
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** First Secretary of the [[Communist Party of the Russian Federation]] | ** First Secretary of the [[Communist Party of the Russian Federation]] | ||
** [[First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] | ** [[First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] | ||
*** [[Moscow City Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union | *** [[First Secretary of the Moscow City Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] | ||
** [[First Secretary of the Communist Party of Tajikistan]] | ** [[First Secretary of the Communist Party of Tajikistan]] | ||
** [[First Secretary of the | ** [[First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine]] | ||
** [[First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Vietnam]] | ** [[First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Vietnam]] | ||
* [[First Secretary of State]], a cabinet position in the United Kingdom | * [[First Secretary of State]], a cabinet position in the United Kingdom | ||
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==Executive secretary== | ==Executive secretary== | ||
Examples include: | Examples include: | ||
* [[Commonwealth of Independent States#General Secretary|Executive Secretary (Commonwealth of Independent States)]] | * [[Commonwealth of Independent States#General Secretary|Executive Secretary (Commonwealth of Independent States)]] | ||
* [[Executive Secretary (Philippines)]] | * [[Executive Secretary (Philippines)]] | ||
* [[Executive Secretary for Integral Development]], Organization of American States | * [[Executive Secretary for Integral Development]], Organization of American States | ||
* [[Executive Secretary of the Department of State]] | * [[Executive Secretary of the United States Department of State]] | ||
==Secretary-treasurer== | ==Secretary-treasurer== | ||
Within | Within some organizations, the role of secretary is combined with that of [[treasurer]], under the title of secretary-treasurer.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Role of the Board of Directors {{!}} Ag Decision Maker |url=https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c5-71.html |website=Iowa State University Extension and Outreach |publisher=Iowa State University |access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Cabinet secretary]] / [[department secretary]] | |||
*[[Legal secretary]] | |||
*[[Permanent secretary]] | |||
*[[Secretary]] | |||
*[[Secretary of state]] | |||
*[[Undersecretary]] | *[[Undersecretary]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 13:25, 14 February 2026
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.).
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. A woman holding such an office is often addressed informally as "Madam 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]
Some legislative clerks in the upper house of United States state legislatures, among other places, may have the title "secretary" (see also "secretary general", below)
General secretary[edit | edit source]
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:
- General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress
- General Secretary of the New South Wales Labor Party (Australia)
- Some church organizations, such as the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches
- General Secretary of the Labour Party
Communist Party[edit | edit source]
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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 state, the general secretary is typically the country's de facto leader. Examples include:
- General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba
- General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
- General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea
- General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party
- General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
- General Secretary of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia
- General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of East Germany
- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
- General Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania
- General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party
- General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party
- General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party
- General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party
Dravidian Party[edit | edit source]
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:
- General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
- General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
- General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
- General Secretary of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Secretary-general[edit | edit source]
Examples include:
International organizations[edit | edit source]
Others[edit | edit source]
Some legislative clerks also called "secretary general".
First secretary[edit | edit source]
First secretary is the title of the chief officer or leader in many organizations, and is also a modern diplomatic rank. Examples include:
- Some consumer organizations, such as the National Consumers League
- Some political parties, especially Communist or Socialist Parties
- In Workers' Party and Communist Party organizations:
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan
- First Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party—see Party Committee Secretary
- First Secretary of the Communist Youth League of China
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
- First Secretary of the French Socialist Party
- First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania
- First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Tajikistan
- First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine
- First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Vietnam
- First Secretary of State, a cabinet position in the United Kingdom
- First Secretary for Wales, now First Minister of Wales
- First Secretary of the Admiralty—see Secretary to the Admiralty
- Some trade unions, especially in the United Kingdom
- The General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace, a government agency for the Greek regions of Macedonia and Thrace
Executive secretary[edit | edit source]
Examples include:
- Executive Secretary (Commonwealth of Independent States)
- Executive Secretary (Philippines)
- Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Organization of American States
- Executive Secretary of the United States Department of State
Secretary-treasurer[edit | edit source]
Within some organizations, the role of secretary is combined with that of treasurer, under the title of secretary-treasurer.[5]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Cabinet secretary / department secretary
- Legal secretary
- Permanent secretary
- Secretary
- Secretary of state
- Undersecretary
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Xi's here to stay: China leader tipped to outstay term". The Manila Times. Agence France-Presse. August 9, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
"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.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J. Otway-Ruthven, The King's Secretary and the Signet Office in the XV Century (1939), p. 60.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 4th edition, Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago, 1915, pp. 244–247.
- ↑ "Interportpolice". Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ↑ "The Role of the Board of Directors | Ag Decision Maker". Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University. Retrieved February 14, 2025.