Committee Chair Responsibilities

In addition to specific roles required by the activities of individual committees, chairs of EDUCAUSE committees are expected to guide their committees and work with staff to develop necessary work plans and meeting agendas. Chairs should

Approve reports of committee meetings before their distribution
Report to the committee on decisions of the Board or of executive staff that affect the committee's work
Where appropriate, guide the committee in proposing new activities and service that will further the mission and goals of the association
Where appropriate, make policy recommendations to the president for transmission to the Board

Structuring the Meeting

With the help of the staff liaison, provide an agenda sheet with the beginning and ending times for the meeting, meeting location, a list of committee members, and the agenda of topics.
Sequence agenda items thoughtfully. Start the meeting with topics that will unify the committee, and with topics that will require mental energy, creativity, and clear thinking. Do not put difficult topics back-to-back. Make the first few topics after lunch quick-action items. Build in breaks at logical places (at least every two hours). End with topics that should unify the committee.
Provide at least minimal written background information for each agenda item.
Indicate whether the item is for discussion only or if action is expected.
Identify the person who is presenting each item.

Facilitating the Meeting

The committee belongs to the association, not to the chair: the chair's primary role is as facilitator.
Guide, mediate, probe, and stimulate discussion. Monitor talkative members and draw out silent ones.
Encourage a clash of ideas, but not of personalities. If emotions run high over a difficult issue, return the floor to a neutral person, seek a purely factual answer, or take a break.
Keep discussions on track; periodically re-state the issue and the goal of the discussion.
In moving toward a decision, call on the least senior or vocal members first to express their views. Discussions tend to close down after senior members express strong views.
Seek consensus; unanimity is not required.
Announce the results of actions taken and explain the follow-up to be taken and by whom.
Close the meeting by noting achievements
Following adjournment, meet briefly with the staff liaison to agree on follow-up actions and locus of responsibility.

Written Report of Committee Meeting

Include the date, time, and place of the meeting. Note the name of the chair, members present and absent, and other key people in attendance.
Note all formal motions and report on passage or defeat
Note all decisions reached, including motions passed and follow-up actions to be taken, with deadlines for implementation
Include brief summary of discussions. Do not attribute comments to members except possibly where formal motions are introduced.
Provide information on the time and place of the next meeting
Meeting reports should be prepared as soon as possible (and within 30 days) after the meeting. They may be shared with the committee with a request that members contact the chair or staff liaison if errors are noted.

Member Committees Advisory Committees Program Committees Committee Guidelines Committee Chair Responsibilities Committee Member Responsibilities Staff Support		Committee Chair Responsibilities In addition to specific roles required by the activities of individual committees, chairs of EDUCAUSE committees are expected to guide their committees and work with staff to develop necessary work plans and meeting agendas. Chairs should Approve reports of committee meetings before their distribution Report to the committee on decisions of the Board or of executive staff that affect the committee's work Where appropriate, guide the committee in proposing new activities and service that will further the mission and goals of the association Where appropriate, make policy recommendations to the president for transmission to the Board Structuring the Meeting With the help of the staff liaison, provide an agenda sheet with the beginning and ending times for the meeting, meeting location, a list of committee members, and the agenda of topics. Sequence agenda items thoughtfully. Start the meeting with topics that will unify the committee, and with topics that will require mental energy, creativity, and clear thinking. Do not put difficult topics back-to-back. Make the first few topics after lunch quick-action items. Build in breaks at logical places (at least every two hours). End with topics that should unify the committee. Provide at least minimal written background information for each agenda item. Indicate whether the item is for discussion only or if action is expected. Identify the person who is presenting each item. Facilitating the Meeting The committee belongs to the association, not to the chair: the chair's primary role is as facilitator. Guide, mediate, probe, and stimulate discussion. Monitor talkative members and draw out silent ones. Encourage a clash of ideas, but not of personalities. If emotions run high over a difficult issue, return the floor to a neutral person, seek a purely factual answer, or take a break. Keep discussions on track; periodically re-state the issue and the goal of the discussion. In moving toward a decision, call on the least senior or vocal members first to express their views. Discussions tend to close down after senior members express strong views. Seek consensus; unanimity is not required. Announce the results of actions taken and explain the follow-up to be taken and by whom. Close the meeting by noting achievements Following adjournment, meet briefly with the staff liaison to agree on follow-up actions and locus of responsibility. Written Report of Committee Meeting Include the date, time, and place of the meeting. Note the name of the chair, members present and absent, and other key people in attendance. Note all formal motions and report on passage or defeat Note all decisions reached, including motions passed and follow-up actions to be taken, with deadlines for implementation Include brief summary of discussions. Do not attribute comments to members except possibly where formal motions are introduced. Provide information on the time and place of the next meeting Meeting reports should be prepared as soon as possible (and within 30 days) after the meeting. They may be shared with the committee with a request that members contact the chair or staff liaison if errors are noted.
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