IMPACT - Organizing Committees

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IMPACT
A Council Development Project
Leaflet No. 4

Selecting Committees
Cassy Dierking Venters, Continuing Education Specialist

	How productive are extension council committees? Are many made up of the same people? Have projects failed for lack of proper study? Have programs been dropped for lack of needed resources? Is it difficult to get people to serve on committees? Successful committees depend on careful selection, recruitment and orientation.
Selecting Committees	When forming a committee, step one is to consider the kinds of people within and/or outside the council that should be included. Make a list of skills, knowledge, viewpoints and other considerations that should be represented on the committee. Several important considerations: What groups are interested in the activity? What or whom will be affected? Which people have the knowledge or skill needed? Which people have access to the resources to do the job? Are there groups that might develop a greater sense of belonging or commitment to University Extension if they worked on the committee? Is representation needed from different points of view—civic and community groups, ethnic groups, age groups, economic levels? After deciding on the kinds of people that should be on the committee, step two is to select the individuals to fill the roles. Consider: People interested in the issue; People who will communicate with others in the community; People with a positive attitude and enthusiasm; People who are able to work with others; Continuity in committee membership; and Personal interest or technical expertise.
Recruitment	Having decided what kinds of people will be needed and having identified individuals who can fill those roles, step three is recruitment. Individuals are successfully recruited by indicating to them, in specific terms, why they were selected and why their unique combination of knowledge, skills and interests are vital to the success of the group. Steps 1 and 2 should be the basis of your recruitment. If the request is sincere, it will be an offer they won't refuse. An example: The elections committee used the following process in selecting nominees to the council.
Step 1 -- Kinds of People Needed		Step 2 -- Individuals	Step 3 -- Recruitment
One skilled in fund raising One who knows business training needs Service club representatives Local government official Realtor, who knows sites for the new office location Farmer, who is interested in small-farm operations Organization, coordination skills		Barry Smith, local college Julie Smart, Chamber of Commerce Rick Rhodes Carol Sharp, city manager Sally Bright Tom Marlow Wilma Brown	We need your skills in public relations campaigns We need someone who is in touch with local businesses. We need your enthusiasm. We need your knowledge and network with the city. We need your knowledge of the county. We need your knowledge about small farming operations. We need your coordination skills.
	Recruitment should always include information about the time commitment requested. Tell people the number of meetings involved, how long they last, whether work will be needed outside of committee meeting (if so, what it will be) and the length of the term on the committee.

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		Tony DeLong, delongt@missouri.edu County Council Coordinator Last modified: September 22, 2004