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Our committees are the essential,
functional units of our organization. In order for them to fulfill this role
effectively, each committee, its chair, and its members do the following:
Each committee has:
A specific function, clearly defined and understood by all
members.
- An effective chair, who starts and ends meetings on time,
keeps to the agenda, sets the tone and pace of meetings, makes sure that all members
participate and none dominate, summarizes conclusions and actions to be taken by whom
before the next meeting. An effective logistics person, who prepares agendas,
provides needed data, reports or other material necessary to clarify issues and who
prepares minutes or committee actions.
- An agenda specifying what is to be accomplished at each
meeting, what decisions are needed and what items need discussion.
- Members who attend all meetings, read advance material
provided and participate actively in discussions.
Committee chairs are expected to:
- In advance of meetings decide on an agenda, develop
and review background material and ensure both are mailed several days before meeting.
- Start and end meetings on time.
- Keep the group on the subject and control discussion so that
all items receive sufficient time.
- Encourage participation and ensure equal access to group
time by involving usually silent members and controlling members who tend to dominate.
Committee members are expected to:
- Attend all meetings, arrive on time and plan to spend the
time required to stay to the end.
- Do necessary 'homework', read advance material, review
agenda and consider items to be discussed in advance of meeting.
- Ask questions if something isn't fully understood: the
only 'dumb' question is the one that isn't asked.
- Share responsibility with the chair and other members for
getting the work done, accomplishing objectives and ensuring good use of everyone's time.
During the next year, this committee will be expected to:
- Develop its own work plan to implement its area of
responsibility, allocating work equitably among all committee members.
- Produce written summaries on a regular basis to update other
members on the activities of the committee.
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