Committees

Committee Procedures

• Standing committees: These are established in the bylaws and have a continuous existence. These committees either have their duties assigned to them by the assembly or find them listed in the bylaws.
• Special (ad hoc or select) committees: These are established as the need arises and cease to exist either on completion of their assigned task or after making their final report.
• Committee of the whole: This is a device in which the full assembly acts as a committee to consider a motion. The rules of debate are relaxed, and members may speak in debate as often as they are able to obtain the floor. This device is usually used for large assemblies (100+ members).
• Informal consideration: Best suited for small groups, this simply removes the normal limitations on speaking in debate. The presiding officer remains in the chair, and the secretary includes in the minutes the results of any votes taken during informal consideration.

Methods of Appointing Committees

• Election by ballot: Members make nominations using any method of nomination, and a majority vote elects.
• Nominations from the floor (open nominations) with viva voce election: If the assembly nominates the same number of members as positions to be filled, the chair declares that these nominees become the committee. If members propose more nominations than positions to be filled, the assembly votes on the candidates in the order of their nomination.
• Nominations by the chair with a confirmation vote by the assembly: The assembly may wish not only to take advantage of the chair’s knowledge and judgment but also to retain the power to veto nominations. The chair names the candidates and then asks, “Shall these persons constitute the committee?” Any member may move to strike out the name of a proposed member. If the assembly approves striking a name by majority vote, the chair proposes an alternate name.
• Appointment by the chair: The assembly does not vote on appointees unless they include nonmembers.
• Appointment of the committee chairman by the chair: If the chair or presiding officer of the assembly has the power to appoint committees, the first person he or she names to the committee is the chairman. This person serves as chairman unless it is specifically stated that the committee will elect its own chairman.
• Appointment of the committee chairman by the assembly or executive board: If an assembly or executive board (i.e., not the chair) adopts a motion to name a committee, the body has the power to name a chairman. If an assembly does not designate a chairman when appointing a committee, the committee members have the right to elect a chairman.
• Appointment by adoption of a motion naming members of the committee: An assembly may use this method to appoint special committees.

Committee Reports

• Reports may be made orally and/or submitted in writing.
• A committee’s report may also contain a resolution, which should be introduced by the committee chair­man or reporting member. No second is required.