Executive committees are beneficial for nonprofits who need to finish their work quickly and efficiently. Some boards may have difficulty defining the distinction between an executive board and a board.
The executive committee is a group composed of board members, who act as the board’s eyes and ears in between meetings, and are responsible for handling urgent issues. They are typically made up of three to seven members.
The executive committee typically has a vice-chairperson and a secretary. The job of the chairperson is to lead the committee and serve as the voice of the board. The vice-chairperson assists the chairperson with their duties and is able to stand in if needed. The secretary maintains minutes of meetings, a schedule for the committee and makes sure that the 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 advises boards to be cautious about delegating tasks to an executive panel, to avoid creating a negative“two-tier“ power structure where the committee is empowered to make decisions which, under the constitution or statute belong to the board.
Having an executive committee can be helpful for a nonprofit particularly in situations where it’s not feasible for the board to convene in person at short notice to address urgent issues. The executive committee can provide an opportunity for those who are close to the organization via their leadership, to make important decisions in areas such as high-level workplace issues and organisational oversight and development of the board.