New Committee Chairs & Member Responsibilities

Consider giving committee chairs this checklist to help your department committees run more effectively.

New Committee Chair Checklist

• Be sure that you have the authority to make decisions about the issues being discussed at the meeting.
• Be aware of the people who need to be consulted/informed, including the Department Chair and the Department Manager/Administrative Staff.
• Start on time.
• Make sure everyone is introduced by name and role.
• List the objectives of the meeting.
• Review the background material.
• Encourage participation by all, which includes talking judiciously and succinctly and listening carefully.
• Assign tasks prior to the start of the meeting, such as note takers and timekeepers.
• Remember that members of a committee are well informed in some areas and not in others.
• Keep the meeting moving and on task.
• Summarize major points during the session.
• Pay attention to interpersonal dynamics that may affect the meeting outcome.
• Talk to the group as a whole. Avoid speaking only to one person for any length of time.
• If energy flags or interest wanes, take a break.
• Solicit opinions and experiences, especially in areas of disagreement.
• If you are losing the group’s attention, ask a question or shift the meeting pace.
• Try to draw out silent members. Direct questions to them or solicit their opinions.
• If someone dominates a meeting, direct thought-provoking questions to them, ask for their cooperation, or give them a special assignment.
• Adjourn on time. If you must run over, ask the group’s permission to do so or solicit their input in how to change the agenda to end on time.
• http://www.ashe.org/chapters/pdfs/handbook/06_committees.pdf

Member Responsibilities at Meeting

• Be prepared
• Report absence in advance
• Listen
• Speak up
• Ask questions
• Consider all options and share views
• Abide by decisions made, whether agreeing or not