How to Organize a Committee

What will you do when work, an organization to which you belong, a school group, or a parent organization has asked you to form a committee? Here's how to choose the people you would like to ask to serve with you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knowledge of the people in your group
• Telephone numbers of all the members
• Paper and pen

1. On your paper list the people who have qualifications which suit the committee you are forming. List most qualified to least qualified.
   After their names, enter their phone number and a place to enter their decision. Call more people than you will need and ask them to think about it.
   Tell them you will call back for their decision.
   Some may tell you they will help you if you do not get enough volunteers. Note that next to their name.

2. Wait two days before you call back for a decision. This gives them time to see if they will have the time and if there will be no conflicts in their schedule. List their answers. If they say no, tell them you have several others to call, but if you are short, would they reconsider? If they say no, don't plead. Write "no" after their name.

3. Once you have gone through the list twice, if you are still lacking enough committee members, then call those who agreed to reconsider. Hopefully, this will complete your committee. Never plead, but you can state the benefits of their membership. For instance, they will have input into this very important issue.

4. Once your committee is formed, you should set a first meeting date, so you can complete your project within the required time.

Tips & Warnings

• Some committees are strictly volunteer. Hands raised form the committee. As committee head, you still need to know each individuals strengths and weaknesses in relationship to the subject of your committee. This makes it easier to assign projects to people who will get the job done. Also, be aware of personality conflicts between any two and keep them in separate functions.
• Leading a committee is not easy. You are dealing with diverse personalities and opinions. It is your job to develop a harmonious group. Keep your lead. Sometimes it is necessary to say something like, this is interesting, but it doesn't have much to do with what we are meeting about, so let's get back on topic. You are the captain of the ship and it will either sail or not sail under your direction.