Three Types of Committees or Task Forces May Be Used

Board Statutory Committees

The board of directors establishes board statutory committees. The chairs of those committees regularly report on their activities to the board. They are mandated to deal with responsibilities outlined in the bylaws or enabling legislation of the organization, for example, member discipline, member ethics, board nominations, or the audit of the NPO. These committees are always chaired by a board director and can be compromised of both directors and non-directors. They are ongoing and provide written reports at each board of directors’ meeting. 

Policy Task Forces

Policy task forces are established by the board of directors and regularly report their activities to the board. A board director always chairs them, comprises members of the board itself, and is mandated to examine and develop recommendations on board policy matters. These task forces have a limited time horizon, a defined “sunset” clause in their mandate. They must provide written reports for each board of directors’ meeting until their task is completed.

CEO Working Committees

CEO working committees are established by the CEO and report to the CEO. They are mandated to deal with operational or management matters, such as administering the organization’s conferences, professional development programs, or fundraising. 

The CEO appoints the chair of a CEO working committee. It may be either a staff member or a volunteer. The committee can comprise staff, directors, or non-directors. 

Its composition is entirely at the discretion of the CEO. It is essential for directors saving on CEO working committees to recognize that in this committee capacity, they are not serving primarily as directors of the organization but serving at the request of the CEO. Reports on the activities of CEO working committees are provided at each board meeting through the CEO Report.