Who presides over a meeting in the absence of the president?

The individual who presides over a meeting in the absence of the president is typically the vice president. The role of the vice president is to support the president and, when necessary, step in to lead meetings or take on other responsibilities if the president cannot fulfill those duties. This ensures that the organization continues to operate smoothly and that meetings can proceed without disruption.

The other roles, such as the secretary and treasurer, while important, do not typically assume the presiding position unless directly designated to do so by the organization's bylaws or specific circumstances arise. The president-elect usually serves in a preparatory role, getting ready to assume the presidency in the future, but is not typically the one to lead meetings in the absence of the elected president. Thus, the vice president is the most suitable choice for fulfilling the role of leading the meeting when the president is unavailable.