When the bylaws say the president is an ex-officio member of all committees, what does this mean?

The provision that the president is an ex-officio member of all committees means that the president has the right to participate in the activities and meetings of those committees but is not required to do so. This status allows the president to be involved in discussions and decisions if necessary but does not impose an obligation to attend every meeting. Therefore, the president can choose to participate based on the relevance of the topic being discussed or other commitments. This role is often designed to ensure that the president remains informed and connected with the various functions of the organization without the pressures of mandatory attendance.