FOCUS TODAY - September 2003

Beware Those One-Person Committees

(Reprinted from the December 1993 Private Club Advisor)

It can be convenient when one club member is interested enough to handle year after year what otherwise would be a committee function:  club-sponsored tours to other countries, annual tournaments or other special events.

We know of cases where such responsibilities originally were assigned to committees but eventually came under the control of strong individual committee members.  Even in a club where the bylaws require a committee consisting of a specific number of members, one member can dominate.  Perhaps he eventually has become the only committee member appointed.  Perhaps there are other committee members, but in name only. 

What if the member could no longer do the job?  What if he had become so “set in his ways” that he refused to follow your suggestions or instructions?  What if other members started questioning the propriety of one person’s control of a club activity, particularly if club funds were involved?

While the one-person committee may seem convenient, it soon can become inconvenient.  If your club has such a committee, perhaps it is time to expand it tactfully to three or four other persons (or the number specified by the bylaws).  If feelings are an issue, you could explain that other members are eager to serve on the committee, that you want to relieve him of some of the burden, that you want to adhere to the bylaws, etc.