EIGHT ESSENTIALS OF

1. Make committee appointments on the basis of indicated interest
and capacity for leadership and initiative.

In general, each individual in this world can find the time
to do the thing he really wants to do. Prior to appointing
the committees the president-elect should ascertain the in-
terests of the members. Every committee appointment should
be based on an indicated willingness on the part of the
individual to work on the committee.

2. Provide each committee with definite instructions.

Merely appointing a committee and then “turning it
loose to sink or swim” will seldom produce a maximum
of committee efficiency. It is the responsibility of the
president and board to see that each committee chairman
has a thorough understanding of the functions of his com-
mittee. Helpful material for each standard committee of a
Rotary club is available upon request from the secretariat
of Rotary International.

3. Have committees meet regularly—starting and stopping on
time.

A meeting is called. The new committee member is all
pepped up to attend the meeting and to contribute some-
thing. If the chairman is not present a few minutes before
the appointed hour and if the meeting is not called at
the time scheduled, he is. wasting just so much time. If,
furthermore, after the meeting is called, the committee
just sits around and doesn’t do very much, he is wasting
‘more time. He begins to think he might utilize his time
to better advantage. Therefore, there should be a regular
time for the standing committees to meet; the chairman
should be present several minutes before the appointed
hour; he should call the meeting exactly on time and then
proceed in a businesslike way to the work of the com-
mittee.

4. Have the committee function according to an efficient and
prearranged plan of procedure.

It is important that each committee have something definite
to do each time it meets. It should proceed to do it with
regularity and efficiency. The president may assist by out-
lining, from time to time, certain things he would like to
have discussed and reported by the committee.

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