The nobility of the Russian Empire was organized into regional [governorate] corporations (societies) , so that each noble family had to be registered in the member rosters of a respective society. Every society regularly held nobility assemblies where the chairman (marshal) and his deputies were elected. The marshal's office (that required a considerable personal wealth to cover representation expenses) was considered very prestigious and coveted: the regional nobility chairmen were personally approved by the emperor, they and their wives were invited to the court, and the post could be very helpful for the further career.
