Boilerplate Bylaws language for a couple of committees?

A few comments:

* First off, my community's experience with committees was not positive, although I know that other communities have used them successfully. Our issues were due mainly to lack of relevant knowledge or experience, poor judgement, hidden agendas, and personality issues (unwillingness to work at the direction of the board, attempts to expand the mission of the committee without authorization). Your mileage may vary.

* I recommend making committees optional/ad hoc rather than required by the bylaws. This will give you some flexibility to bring in skills when needed but not force the board to spend time managing unneeded groups (or ones that have gone off the rails and refuse to get back on them).

* Managing committees takes time. Think about whether a committee is needed at all. To use your examples, think about whether the Welcome and Social Committees could be combined. A Finance Committee could be very useful, though, even if your Treasurer knows his way around a budget.

* Think about whether the committee would need a budget, and who would keep an eye on their expenditures. Don't assume the money would be spent responsibly.

* Many communities require that every committee have at least one board member on it. This helps with oversight but does nothing for saving time.

* Know your community. In mine, the people with relevant skills are apathetic and would not volunteer for anything. The ones who volunteer mostly fall into the groups I mentioned in my first point, coupled with boundless enthusiasm - not a good combination. Also keep in mind that your current crop of willing and capable folks may not always be available. Don't paint yourself into a corner with this.

* My bylaws only require a Nominating Committee, which is a complete waste of time since owners can self-nominate and may be illegal in some states. All others are ad hoc, and our language does not specify any particular type of committee.

I look at my bylaws. Committees are not mentioned at all, with the exception of the Nominating Committee that is discussed in the article dealing with the Board of Directors and Officers.

The only other items that would be related are: 1) the right to name additional Officers; and 2) the right to delegate duties as needed (this latter is worded sort of backwards; ie, "nothing contained herein shall be construed so as to preclude the Association from delegating duties and responsibilities to persons, firms or corporations of its choice").

In many bylaws, the naming (or establishing) of a committee is one of the rights of the president, as needed.

Wow, Geno; anarchy!

Calif Corporations Codes makes the Board not the prez responsible to appoint, disband, etc., committees. So do our Bylaws.

That can happen and creates way more problems for boards than a lack of committees. Committee need to be well-controlled and we have had some good ones.

Right now, one of our directors wants to start 3 ad hoc committees. One expired at the annual mtg before "Mel" was on the Board. Now he wants to revive it. He also wants a "Sidewalk Committee" for the sidewalks that surround our city block high HOA. Two sides off the walks were painted and have been repainted by our staff. It's a black & light gray pattern that's in the 'hood, and which the City required the developer to do. We are responsible. One bid is basically to refinish it is for $150.000!

A third is an ad hoc "Hallway Beautification Committee" to replace our twin towers' carpeting, wallpaper & ceiling lights. We do have the funds and “Mel” has pretty good
taste.

Too much for one inexperienced director who likes to do things on his own. I sense chaos emerging. So will try to have pretty tight ad hoc charters on all three.