Tasks

Clarify and communicate the charge and tasks
Develop goals and plans to accomplish the tasks (including checkpoints to measure progress)
Have members assigned to tasks

Having committee members actively participate in these decisions will foster greater commitment and understanding of the task.

What is the committee's charge? Specifically, some things to clarify include:

Start with the end in mind. What would the ideal deliverable be like (a report, a workshop, a panel discussion or whatever the specific outcome)? How would we know a successful outcome if we saw one?

Work backward - do a step-by-step analysis of all the tasks that would be needed to produce that ideal outcome.
Identify what resources are needed to accomplish the tasks (for example, rooms, an emcee, programming, writing, editorial assistance, statistical analyses, etc.). How can these be obtained? Who will do so?
What skills are necessary to accomplish all the tasks? Are these skills available (and in sufficient quantity) in the committee or will external assistance be needed?
What tasks can be grouped together? What tasks need to be done separately? What things can be pursued simultaneously? What must be done in sequence?
Develop a set of goals to accomplish all this. Goals should be "SMART"
- Specific - clear, easily understood, and pointed (e.g., we will process all approval requests within 2 weeks of receipt)
- Measurable - easily documented or quantifiable
- Accepted - members agree with them
- Realistic - achievable within the scope and resources of the committee
- Time framed - have deadlines associated with them
Prioritize the goals and tasks. What is most crucial? What needs to be done right away?

Set up checkpoints to measure committee and member progress. Think about having some contingency planning in case things go wrong.

Revisit the goals and the plans periodically to make sure they are still appropriate.

Have members assign tasks based on skills, interests, and willingness to do the tasks. Follow the members link for more information.
Have the committee delegate effectively.
- Consider having more experienced committee members take on the more complex tasks and also mentor less experienced members.
- Try to give less experienced members smaller, less complex tasks. If this is not possible, break the task into subtasks and check progress along the way.