Board committees, when used, will operate so as to minimally interfere with the wholeness of the Board's job and so as never to interfere with delegation of authority from the Board to the President. Committees will be used sparingly.
- Board committees are to help the Board do its job, not to do jobs of the staff. Committees ordinarily will assist the Board by preparing policy alternatives and implications for Board deliberation. Board committees are not to be created by the Board to advise staff.
- Board committees may not speak or act for the Board except when formally given such authority for specific and time-limited purposes. Expectations and authority will be carefully stated in order not to conflict with authority delegated to the President.
- Board committees cannot exercise authority over staff. Because the President works for the full Board, the President is not required to obtain approval of a Board committee before an executive action. In keeping with the Board's broader focus, Board committees will normally not have direct dealings with current staff operations.
- Board committees are to avoid over-identification with organizational parts rather than the whole. Therefore, a Board committee which has helped the Board create policy on some subject will not be used to monitor organizational performance on that same subject.
- This policy applies only to committees, which are formed by Board action, whether or not the committees include non-Board members. It does not apply to committees formed under the authority of the President.
- The Board shall have an Audit Committee, comprised of two trustees, which shall represent the board at the annual audit exit interview.
- Ad hoc committees may be established which have no more than two trustees or members and which have responsibility only within specific directives from the Board and are limited by time.
Historic Information
- Reviewed: October 18, 2023
- Reviewed: 2005-2009
- Revised: August 25, 2004
- Reviewed: December 18, 2002