How do you lead board committees and task forces?

1 Define the purpose and scope

Before you form a board committee or task force, you need to define its purpose and scope. What is the specific problem or opportunity that the committee or task force will address? What are the expected outcomes and deliverables? How will the committee or task force align with the board's strategic plan and priorities? How long will the committee or task force last? What are the roles and responsibilities of the members and the chair? Answering these questions will help you establish a clear and realistic mandate for the committee or task force, as well as a timeline and budget.

2 Recruit and orient members

Once you have defined the purpose and scope of the committee or task force, you need to recruit and orient members. You want to select members who have the relevant skills, knowledge, experience, and interest in the topic, as well as a commitment to the board's mission and values. You also want to ensure diversity and inclusion in terms of perspectives, backgrounds, and identities. You can recruit members from within the board, from the staff, from the donors, from the beneficiaries, or from the community, depending on the nature and scope of the committee or task force. You also need to orient the members by providing them with the committee or task force charter, the board policies and procedures, the relevant documents and data, and the expectations and norms of conduct.

3 Plan and conduct meetings

The next step is to plan and conduct meetings for the committee or task force. You need to schedule meetings in advance, prepare agendas, distribute materials, and invite guests as needed. You also need to facilitate the meetings by setting the tone, managing the time, encouraging participation, resolving conflicts, summarizing decisions, and assigning action items. You need to follow up after the meetings by sending minutes, tracking progress, providing feedback, and communicating with the board and other stakeholders. You need to ensure that the meetings are productive, collaborative, and respectful, and that they adhere to the committee or task force mandate and goals.

4 Monitor and evaluate performance

The final step is to monitor and evaluate the performance of the committee or task force. You need to measure the results and impact of the committee or task force's work, as well as the process and satisfaction of the members. You need to use quantitative and qualitative indicators, such as outputs, outcomes, milestones, feedback, surveys, and testimonials. You need to report the findings and recommendations to the board and other stakeholders, and celebrate the achievements and lessons learned. You also need to review and revise the committee or task force's mandate, structure, and membership as needed, or dissolve it when it has completed its task.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?