Executive Committee
The Business Dictionary defines the executive committee as a “group of directors appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the board of directors. Typically, it consists of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, executive director, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.”
The executive committee is composed of senior-level executives and board officers. The organization’s bylaws spell out exactly who serves on the executive committee. Typically, all of the officers of the board are invited to serve on the executive committee, along with the corporation’s President or CEO.
Meetings of the Executive Committee
In most cases, the executive committee meets more frequently than the board. More frequent meetings make it easier for them to move faster when necessary. The schedule for executive committee meetings varies as much as corporations do. Executive committees may meet monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or on an as-needed basis.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Committee
Boards will outline the specific duties and responsibilities of the executive committee, which vary according to the needs of CSGA, in the bylaws. Following is a description of many of the common duties and responsibilities of executive committees.
Providing Organizational Direction and Acting on Behalf of the Board
Executive committee provides organizational direction for the Chairperson (CEO) and the full board. Committee members help the CEO and board members to establish items for board meeting agendas.
As noted earlier, executive committees usually have the power to act on behalf of the full board in emergency situations. The bylaws will outline any limitations in their power based on the committee’s defined purpose.
Executive committees usually conduct research relative to investment, risk and industry trends, so that they can actively participate in strategic planning and advise the board on pertinent business matters. Along with the full board, the executive committee should be monitoring and evaluating progress toward the company’s strategic goals and initiatives and making periodic and timely presentations to the full board on progress.
Providing Organizational Oversight
Executive committee members have many oversight duties. They are responsible for overseeing the daily implementation of board policies and making sure that the board is establishing and maintaining good governance practices. These activities include overseeing the company’s policies on ethics, security guidelines, quality management, human resources and regulations. Oversight duties also include overseeing ad hoc committees that work on policy development by making sure that they complete their objectives. Discussions of the executive committee should be encapsulated in their minutes, which they should present to the full board in a timely manner.
Executive committees also have a role in forming and sunsetting committees and task forces. It’s normally considered best practice for executive committees to assess their committees and committee chairs every three years to make sure that committees are productive and necessary. Evaluations should include making sure that all board members serve on at least one committee.
Managing High-Level Workplace Issues of a Serious Nature
Every corporation has a designated chain of command. As a normal course of action, managers handle any workplace matters. However, serious issues may reach the board. In these types of situations, the executive committee hears matters first and decides which issues stop there and which require moving up to the board level.
Communication and Board Development
To some degree, the executive committee also enhances communication between the board, committees and staff. Members of the executive committee are often the glue that facilitates cohesiveness by keeping everyone in the loop with alignment and decision-making.
The executive committee also takes the lead on issues such as board development, mentoring and conducting annual board member evaluations.
Boards of directors usually have jam-packed agendas. The work of the executive committee helps to streamline many of the activities that the board needs to address, which makes the board work more efficiently.
Executive Committee | Senior-level Executives | Organization's Bylaws
Learn more about the Cyber Security Global Alliance Executive Committee, composed of senior-level executives and board officers. Discover the organization's bylaws and the members who serve on the committee, including the corporation's CEO, Kenrick Bagnall.