Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

late Anglo-Norman French ''committe'', ''committee'' past participle, substituted for French ''commis'', < ''commettre'' to commit v.: [[compare]] [[words]] like ''appellee'', in which the suffix reproduces French é of the past participle of 1st conj.; also trustee.

late Anglo-Norman French ''committe'', ''committee'' past participle, substituted for French ''commis'', < ''commettre'' to commit v.: [[compare]] [[words]] like ''appellee'', in which the suffix reproduces French é of the past participle of 1st conj.; also trustee.

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1archaic : a [[person]] to whom a charge or [[trust]] is [[committed]]

*1archaic : a [[person]] to whom a charge or [[trust]] is [[committed]]

*2a : a [[body]] of [[persons]] [[delegated]] to consider, investigate, take [[action]] on, or report on some matter; especially : a [[group]] of fellow [[legislators]] chosen by a legislative body to give [[consideration]] to legislative matters.

*2a : a [[body]] of [[persons]] [[delegated]] to consider, investigate, take [[action]] on, or report on some matter; especially : a [[group]] of fellow [[legislators]] chosen by a legislative body to give [[consideration]] to legislative matters.

==Description==

==Description==

A '''committee''' (or "commission") is a [[type]] of small [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliberative_assembly deliberative assembly] that is usually [[intended]] to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when [[organized]] so that [[action]] on committee requires a [[vote]] by all its entitled [[members]], is called the "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_of_the_Whole Committee of the Whole]". Committees often serve several [[different]] [[functions]]:

A '''committee''' (or "commission") is a [[type]] of small [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliberative_assembly deliberative assembly] that is usually [[intended]] to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when [[organized]] so that [[action]] on committee requires a [[vote]] by all its entitled [[members]], is called the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_of_the_Whole Committee of the Whole]". Committees often serve several [[different]] [[functions]]:

* ''Governance'': in [[organizations]] considered too large for all the members to [[participate]] in [[decisions]] affecting the organization as a [[whole]], a committee (such as a Board of Directors or "Executive Committee") is given the [[power]] to make [[decisions]], spend [[money]], or take [[actions]]. Some or all such [[powers]] may be [[limited]] or effectively unlimited. For example of the later case, the Board of directors can frequently enter into binding [[contracts]] and make [[decisions]] which once taken or made, can't be taken back or undone under the [[law]].

* ''Governance'': in [[organizations]] considered too large for all the members to [[participate]] in [[decisions]] affecting the organization as a [[whole]], a committee (such as a Board of Directors or "Executive Committee") is given the [[power]] to make [[decisions]], spend [[money]], or take [[actions]]. Some or all such [[powers]] may be [[limited]] or effectively unlimited. For example of the later case, the Board of directors can frequently enter into binding [[contracts]] and make [[decisions]] which once taken or made, can't be taken back or undone under the [[law]].

* ''Research and recommendations'': committees are often formed to do [[research]] and make recommendations on a [[potential]] or planned project or change. For example, an [[organization]] considering a major capital [[investment]] might create a temporary working committee of several people to review options and make recommendations to upper management or the Board of Directors. Such committees are typically dissolved after issuing recommendations (often in the form of a final report).

* ''Research and recommendations'': committees are often formed to do [[research]] and make recommendations on a [[potential]] or planned project or change. For example, an [[organization]] considering a major capital [[investment]] might create a temporary working committee of several people to review options and make recommendations to upper management or the Board of Directors. Such committees are typically dissolved after issuing recommendations (often in the form of a final report).

* ''Project management'': while it is generally considered poor [[management]] to give operational [[responsibility]] to a committee to actually manage a project, this is not unknown. The [[problem]] is that no single [[person]] can be held accountable for poor [[performance]] of the committee, particularly if the chairperson of the committee is seen as a [[facilitator]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee]

* ''Project management'': while it is generally considered poor [[management]] to give operational [[responsibility]] to a committee to actually manage a project, this is not unknown. The [[problem]] is that no single [[person]] can be held accountable for poor [[performance]] of the committee, particularly if the chairperson of the committee is seen as a [[facilitator]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee]

[[Category: Law]]

[[Category: Law]]

[[Category: Political Science]]

[[Category: Political Science]]