Re people joining committees

[Claustrophobiclown]

I'm on two different committees and both have issues with people putting their names forward to join and then never having the time to get involved or even attend committee meetings. The Chair of one Committee has just had to ask a couple of people to step down as they haven't come to any meetings this year. One was okay about it, but the other is going around muttering about us being 'cliquey', 'not wanting anyone with a different view'. This simply isn't true. But any time we suggest dates for a meeting she's working late, or has to bring her kids swimming or collect her husband from somewhere. Fair enough, she's busy but then why take up a place on a committee. She's also never free to help out with any activities;. Basically she's no help but still has to be emailed about everything, giving a vote on things etc. So she's costing us time.

AIBU to think you should have the sense to only join a Committee if you can genuinely engage and contribute?

AIBU to think you should have the sense to only join a Committee if you can genuinely engage and contribute? I agree, in most circumstances. I think some people join committees for stoke their own ego, or because it looks good on CVs. I'm on a board of trustees for a charity, and we have members who do nothing, never turn up etc. We usually boot them off at the annual AGM, as long as we have someone more willing to step up.

However, sometimes it's helpful to have an extra committee member, even if they do nothing. I know of a parish councillor who has been on the council for 20 years, never does a thing, comes to some, not all, meetings but then abstains from any votes, and is always complaining that she has no time for this. I truly don't know why she is on the council. BUT the parish council does struggle to have enough members to meet the minimum requirements, so having her there (as frustrating as she is) does help.

Unfortunately there isn’t often a queue of people wanting to take on these roles, especially for smaller charities or organisations.

Use Doodle Polls to set times for meetings.
Hold some meetings online and some in person. Allow people to dial in by phone.
Vary the timing of meetings - the same slots won’t be convenient every time, for everyone.
Ask her which dates she could make and then put those dates forward for others

But even reading and commenting on emails is giving an input, so if she is doing that then she is still contributing.

It’s difficult but that’s the way of committees.

What can be worse is someone who does turn up, agrees to do work and then fails to do so but hangs on to the promise at every meeting.