In Defense of Committees By Patricia E. McDougle, PRP
Often maligned, rarely understood. Criticizing committees is a popular topic of conversation whenever members congregate to chat about the organization. Benjamin Franklin is reported to have said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain and most fools do.”1 Criticisms of committees may include: • There is too much meaningless discussion—minutes are kept, and hours are wasted. • A question can be studied for weeks, even months, and the committee does not reach a conclusion. • The committee’s report may summarize and justify its methods and activities with few, if any recommendations, leaving the value of the committee undeterminable.
• Another criticism is that committees can go on forever. “We have always had a [fill in the blank] Committee. Our bylaws require it.” Times and circumstances change; and the purpose of that long-ago-established committee may no longer be relevant. Do committees deserve such a reputation? Regardless of the critics, committees are an integral part of organized societies. The business of an organization is far too complex and varied for individuals working alone, or for a small group like a board of directors, to manage. Multiple groups of people working throughout the organization are most often required to accomplish its mission. The National Association of Parliamentarians® (NAP) is an
1 https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=fool+criticize. www.parliamentarians.org
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