The chairperson of a committee is supposed to encourage everyone to reach a common goal.The task can seem a bit daunting if you are just starting out.With a few preparations and a little experience under your belt, you'll be leading committees with ease.
Step 1: You should consult your organization's rules on committees.
Organizations with rules in place for how committees should be run include universities and nonprofits.Before you start, you should review the rules thoroughly.Ask someone in authority where the rules can be found if you can't find them on the website.
Step 2: The purpose of the committee needs to be focused on.
If the committee is brand new, you need to make sure it is focused properly.A specific goal is the best way to focus your committee.A committee may be formed to assess how a product is doing.The primary goal of the committee is to achieve that.Think about if the committee will be advising or implementing solutions.You need to be clear about how much authority the committee will have.The main organization should make the decision, but you should give your opinion before the meeting.Work with the organization or the boss who wants the committee to make the decisions.
Step 3: Make sure you are knowledgeable.
You are probably the committee chair because you are knowledgeable in the area.Continue doing your homework.You need to study each piece of your committee's work in order to be a leader.When solutions are brought to the table, you can decide if they will work or not.
Step 4: Discuss with the previous chair.
The old chair should give you information about the committee and what your role should be.Information about individual members of the committee can be provided by him or her.The committee's main policies, meetings, and what the committee has been doing in the past year should be given to you by the old chair.
Step 5: You can create criteria.
From above, look at your goals and tasks.List the skills that are needed to fulfill the goals.If your primary goal is to raise money, you need people who are good at organizing, can connect with other people, and are creative.
Step 6: Good relations should be established with old members.
The committee will have members if it is already established.It doesn't mean that everyone should stay on the committee.Consider which members best fit the goal of the committee.If you feel that members are not contributing to the main goal, you may need to ask them to step down.If you are running a volunteer committee, you must be careful.Good will need to be maintained with your volunteers.
Step 7: To select new members, use your criteria.
You need to make sure you are appointing people who are right for the job.Establishing the main goals and tasks of the committee can help you find good members.Before asking an employee or volunteer to join a committee, consider their skills.Your goals should be helped by the person's skills.Ask around if you don't know who they are.Recommendations can land you many new members.
Step 8: Take the seat in front of you.
It's appropriate for you to take a head seat in the room you are in.You are establishing that you are the leader by taking the head seat.If you want to establish a more informal setting, you might sit in the middle of the group.Though it may cut down on your authority, it will make you more personable.
Step 9: The rules should be set upfront.
Explain how the committee will be run.If you have specific rules about how an idea will be brought up, now is the time to give them out.The rules should be given to your members in a handout.Robert's Rules of Orders Newly Revised are used for very formal committees.Rules for how committees are run are provided.People coming late to the meetings, not being prepared, or taking over a meeting can be included in the rules you can establish.
Step 10: Make sure the purpose is clear.
The purpose of the committee is already established for you.Your members need to know what the purpose is.In the first meeting, go over the purpose.You should be clear about what time and ideas each member should contribute to.The purpose of writing is to help guide your members during their time on the committee.
Step 11: Make sure the rules are followed.
Once rules and consequences are in place, you have to make sure they are followed.That means following through with consequences that are fair and just.When someone is breaking the rules, it pays to be diplomatic.If you all agree that no one can talk for more than 10 minutes with the exception of special presentations, you need to step in.John, you need to be quiet now.You are over time.You could thank John for the information.I know you have more to say, but I think you could send an email to all of our committee members to make sure we cover all the items on our agenda today.
Step 12: It's always a good idea to have a written agenda.
Agendas help meetings focus on a few main ideas.The agenda needs to be appropriate.You need to make sure that you have enough time to give attention to each item on the agenda.You will have to skip over some items if you have too much on it.The agenda should be handed out a day or two before the meeting.Before the meeting, make sure each person knows what they are responsible for.
Step 13: Someone should be able to take minutes.
Someone needs to take minutes at every meeting if the committee doesn't have an established secretary.You can refer back to when you want to know what happened at the meeting.
Step 14: It is important to communicate often.
Make sure to keep in touch with your members after your first meeting.You can offer regular updates on meeting times and synopses.As new information becomes available, you will need to provide updates.
Step 15: The committee should be above your agenda.
It's important that your personal agenda doesn't come before the committee.You place more importance on the committee succeeding in its goals than you do on your own.
Step 16: Encouraging creativity is something that should be encouraged.
One way to encourage creativity is to build up members rather than tear them down.If you constantly berate members in front of the group for their ideas, they will stop volunteering.It's important to make the committee a place where you can accept new ideas even if they seem strange at first.
Step 17: New members can be gained.
You will need to recruit more members as old members leave the committee.When you started with the committee, you provided them with an orientation that covered the rules and focus of the group.Help the new person figure out how to get along with the committee.
Step 18: Don't forget to be thankful.
Sometimes members don't need to be on a committee because they are volunteering.As you run your committee, be sure to give thanks in writing and in person for what they do to make it a success.