In further contrast to the president of the United States, presidents of scientific societies are volunteers, working for free at what is sometimes a full-time job. They usually serve a single, one-year term, and rarely run for a second. They don't have to battle Congress, but their power is limited largely to a vote on an elected council or executive committee. And as for perks, well, there's no White House, no Oval Office, no Secret Service, and no Air Force One (though there's often plenty of travel).
There are a few similarities between scientific society presidencies and the highest office in the U.S., however. Just as the nation's chief executive is usually a seasoned politician with high name recognition, it is very unusual for a scientist without a history of service to a society to become president of that society. And just as the first 100 days in office are ...
