Committees are the workhorses of the Board. At the direction of the Board, committees research issues and make recommendations. This means the scarce time for Board meetings is put to good use. Committees also allow you to bring expertise from the community into the work of the Board. Follow these guidelines to make committees effective agents of the Board.
- Determine what type of committee you want:
- Ongoing
- Nature and structure determined by the Board and included as either policy or Board procedures
- Accountable to the Board
- Deal with Board or executive functions (for example, program, personnel, finance, community relations)
- Short or long term
- Authorized by the Board or a Standing Committee
- Assists a standing committee with a specific task
- Accountable to the committee
- Term-definite
- Authorized by the Board
- Assists the Board with a specific task
- Accountable to the Board
- Determine authority you want to give the Committee:
- Advisory—provides information and may make recommendations to the Board
- Agency—may act on behalf of the Board within limits set by the Board; the Board votes to support the actions of the committee by motion in a public meeting.
- Set the Terms of Reference for the Committee. This is a statement of the mandate given to each committee, including the type and authority. See the Committee Terms of Reference Checklist for a list of everything you need to include in each committee’s Terms of Reference and this sample Terms of Reference.
| Type | Characteristics |
| Standing |
|
| Sub-committee |
|
| Ad Hoc |
|
