What's the purpose of board committees?

Summary:

Board committees provide organized, focused means for members to achieve goals and address issues.

The Free Management Library explains the typical purpose of board committees and how they are carried out. See
http://www.mapnp.org/library/boards/brdcmtte.htm#anchor486505

Some state statutes set standards for how board committees may be formed, what sorts of actions they can take, and who can serve on them. Importantly, a board cannot delegate it's authority (or responsibility) to a committee without following very careful procedures. Boards that want a committee to take charge of any significant element of the board's work need to pay attention to these issues to make sure that the work of the committee can stand scrutiny and challenge.