Committees save the full board valuable time by presenting committee reports that outline key issues and recommendations for deliberation by the full board.
Committee work in between board meetings is very important. It's often referred to as the engine that drives effective boards. Here's why:
- Deeper Dives: Board meetings themselves can be crammed with agenda items. Committees allow for focused discussions and deeper dives into specific topics before they reach the full board.
- Preparation and Recommendations: Committees research, analyze information, and develop recommendations for the board. This saves board meeting time and ensures well-considered decisions.
- Expertise and Engagement: Committees leverage the specific skills and knowledge of board members. This not only makes use of their strengths but also keeps them engaged between meetings.
- Efficiency and Productivity: By handling preparatory work, committees free up board meetings for strategic discussions and decision-making, leading to a more efficient and productive board.
Small boards sometimes choose to do most tasks as a “committee of the whole,”. This is a good strategy only for very young organizations. During the initial founding of the school, the founding board often needs to meet as a “committee of the whole,” but once your charter has been granted, it is essential to form committees, have clear committee work plans, and ensure that committees do substantive work in between meetings.
Committee Operations
Committees should operate with good governance practices, using agendas, taking minutes, and tracking progress. BoardOnTrack provides tools to streamline committee work and ensure communication and transparency.
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