An executive committee is an association of board members who have close leadership ties and convene to discuss pressing issues that affect the organization. They make decisions on behalf of the entire board and establish the strategic direction. They also act as a liaison between the board of directors and the CEO. An executive committee is the ideal solution for businesses that have a number of repetitive issues need urgent action on crucial issues, or don’t want to wait until the entire board is able to meet.
A good executive committee will include senior executives and leaders from other committees. The chairperson of the Board is typically also an executive committee. They are the ones who decide on the agenda of the committee and ensure that all activities of the committee and board align with company goals. The person in charge will also serve as the spokesperson for the board, and will appoint committee chairpersons. The number of members on the executive committee may differ from one organization to the next. However, the board’s bylaws should clearly spell out who is a member of the committee. According to research, a committee comprising seven members is the optimal size for optimal decision-making.
The executive committee is in charge of establishing governance procedures making strategic decisions at a high-level and providing oversight to the management. They also take the charge of training for board members and development. Based on the size of the group the committee could meet on a monthly or quarterly, or on a necessary.
While an executive committee is a great tool for many non-profit organizations, it’s certainly not a universal approach to board governance. You may not need an executive committee in the case of a small board or if you’ve got an executive committee that can do well without one.
