Parliamentary Procedure

Committees are created to allow the organization to focus on completing a particular task or goal. Some advantages of a committee are:

• More freedom and time for discussion
• The ability to easily focus attention and effort toward one or a small amount of subjects
• Better use can be made of experts and consultants

The types of committees are as follows:

• Standing Committees - They are a long-term committee tasked with completing duties within a particular field or department
• Special Committees - Know as ad hoc committees, they are appointed to complete a task. They cease to exist after their final report is given
• Committees for Deliberation - They are usually tasked with providing some kind of report or recommendation for action after thorough discussion or investigation
• Committees for Action - They are usually tasked with carrying out a particular task or duty. They would be the committee to carry out the action recommended by the deliberation committee

• Committee Chair - The Chair can be appointed by the President or presiding officer. They may also be a preexisting committee member selected by the committee. They will participate in discussions and delegations made by the committee. Committees do not have to have a Chair. In those cases, the bylaws of an organization will direct the committee how to proceed.

• Committee Members - Members are either appointed or selected by the President or presiding officer. Some organizations will also hold space in meetings for committee appointees to be approved by the organization. In cases where the Chair is selected first, they may be consulted on who might best fit the role of a member of their committee.