Executive Committee Vs Board of Directors

The presence of an executive committee can help nonprofits who require their work to be completed quickly and efficiently. Some boards may have difficulty in defining the difference between an executive board and a board.

The executive committee consists of members who are accountable for handling urgent issues and act as the board’s ears and eyes in between meetings. They usually consist of three to seven members.

The executive committee usually has two members: a vice-chairperson and secretary. The job of the chairperson is to lead the committee and be the voice of the board. The vice-chairperson assists the chairperson and also can be their replacement in the event of a need. The secretary keeps meeting minutes and maintains a calendar of committee meetings and ensures https://boardroomsupply.com/the-best-virtual-data-room/ that all committee members have access to committee documents.

While the executive committee is a subcommittee of the board, it is the sole authority to run the business. King advises a board to carefully consider delegating certain functions to an executive panel in order to avoid creating a unwelcome “two-tier” power dynamic where the committee has decision-making power which by statute or constitution are the sole responsibility of the board.

An executive committee could be helpful for a nonprofit particularly in situations where it’s not feasible or even possible for the board to convene in person with a short notice to discuss urgent issues. The executive committee gives leaders who are intimate with the organization via their leadership positions a platform to take important decisions in areas like high-level workplace issues, organizational oversight and Board development.