committee member / assessor
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committee member
A person who is a member of a committee, court, or board but does not chair it. Beisitzer generally have voting rights and support the chairperson.
Bei der mündlichen Prüfung saßen neben dem Prüfer noch zwei Beisitzer.
At the oral exam, two committee members sat alongside the examiner.
passenger
An outdated term for a person who sits next to someone, especially next to the driver in a carriage or vehicle.
Der Kutscher wies dem adligen Herrn den Platz des Beisitzers zu.
The coachman assigned the noble gentleman the passenger's seat.
The word is made up of 'bei' (near/next to) and 'sitzen' (to sit). A 'Beisitzer' is literally a person who 'sits next to' someone, for example next to a chairperson or judge.
Das Gericht bestand aus einem Richter und zwei Beisitzern.
The court consisted of one judge and two assessors.
The meaning as a person who sits next to the driver is outdated today and is now used only in historical contexts. In modern usage, it almost always means a member of a committee or board.
In alten Romanen liest man manchmal vom Kutscher und seinem Beisitzer.
In old novels, you sometimes read about the coachman and his passenger.
The word is used mainly in official contexts. Typical examples are 'Beisitzer bei einer Prüfung' (committee member at an exam), 'Beisitzer in einem Ausschuss' (member of a committee), or 'Beisitzer im Vorstand' (board member) of an association.
Für die Wahl wurden drei Beisitzer ernannt, die die Stimmen auszählten.
Three committee members were appointed for the election to count the votes.
advisory board
The Beirat is an entire advisory body, whereas the Beisitzer is an individual person on a committee, court, or board who does not chair it. When referring to the advisory group, use Beirat; for a non-chairing member, use Beisitzer.
Der Beisitzer unterstützt den Vorsitzenden bei wichtigen Entscheidungen.
The committee member supports the chairperson with important decisions.
Der Beirat berät den Vorstand bei wichtigen Entscheidungen.
The advisory board advises the board of directors on important decisions.
