ABSTRACT
A meeting arranged to conduct business, which may be called a committee or, for example, a board, council, panel, study group or working party, is part of a hierarchical organisation. Each committee reports to some higher committee or to a parent body; and most committees are expected to make decisions, take actions that progress the affairs of the organisation, and make recommendations. That is to say, they have both executive and advisory functions. To be effective a committee must have clear terms of reference, well organised meetings and good documentation.
