An executive committee can be beneficial for nonprofits boardroomsupply.com who need to achieve their goals quickly and efficiently. However, some boards might struggle to decide between an executive committee and the board of directors.

The executive committee is comprised of members who handle urgent issues and acting as the board’s ears and eyes between meetings. They usually consist of 3-7 members.

Typically the executive committee consists of a chairperson and vice-chairperson, as well as an administrator. The job of the chairperson is to lead the committee and be the voice of the board. The vice-chairperson is a support person for the chairperson and can stand in for them should they need to. The secretary keeps meeting minutes, maintains a committee calendar and ensures that all members have access to committee documents.

The executive committee is a part of the board but still has the power to govern the business. King suggests that boards must carefully consider the delegation of its duties to an executive committee so that it doesn’t result in an unwelcome “two-tier” power situation in which the committee has the power to make decisions that, by constitution and/or statute, should belong to the board.

An executive committee is a useful tool for non-profits, particularly when it’s not feasible or practical for the board to meet in person to discuss urgent matters. The executive committee provides an opportunity for leaders who are close to the organization via their leadership, to make decisions in key areas like high-level workplace issues, organizational oversight and development of the board.