TOT: being on a committee

Was the selection meeting quorate and what was the vote for B for:against:abstain?

about 9 years ago, I did just that, but slightly more politely. I said "If you want the job back, you can have it." Last year I was in the opposite role and i just walked away.

IMHO it heavily depends on the circumstances...

If B is a willing acceptor of the roll, but wanted guidance and training on how to fulfil it, then "no".

If A has done a sloping shoulder job and dumped the roll on an unsuspecting B, then again it really comes down to B's attitude.

A friend of mine took over a treasurer roll on a committee and found that accounts were kept in a very convoluted way. The previous holder of that office was still active on the committee and insisted the method of internal accounting was kept that way. Needless to say that this advice was ignored and a more common sense approach was adopted. When the accounts were audited the 3rd party auditor commented that it was the first time in a lengthy period that they were understood without hours of to and fro phone calls to clarify items.

Where the committee are all (unpaid) volunteers the previous methods of performing the tasks may not actually be "correct".

There could also be the problem of old and new blood on the committee where the old are resistant to new ideas and ways of running what may be considered as a small business. Again, "we have always done it that way" may not be the correct or best way. I have seen a under used rural communality hall being transformed in terms of usage and meeting ongoing costs with new members on a committee with new ideas.

Thanks for this interesting response.

-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Re: TOT: being on a committee Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:57:51 +0100 From: alan_m snipped-for-privacy@admac.myzen.co.uk>

Reply-To: snipped-for-privacy@admac.myzen.co.uk Organisati> A mate of mine (A) was Secretary of a voluntary association that I

A friend of mine took over a treasurer roll on a committee and found that accounts were kept in a very convoluted way. The previous holder of that office was still active on the committee and insisted the method of internal accounting was kept that way. Needless to say that this advice was ignored and a more common sense approach was adopted. When the accounts were audited the 3rd party auditor commented that it was the first time in a lengthy period that they were understood without hours of to and fro phone calls to clarify items.

Where the committee are all (unpaid) volunteers the previous methods of performing the tasks may not actually be "correct".

There could also be the problem of old and new blood on the committee where the old are resistant to new ideas and ways of running what may be considered as a small business. Again, "we have always done it that way" may not be the correct or best way. I have seen a under used rural communality hall being transformed in terms of usage and meeting ongoing costs with new members on a committee with new ideas.

I totally agree with that thought. Back in the 1990s, I became (by default) a Charity's Hon Treasurer. I said I'd only do the job if I used a computer to keep the records rather paperwork. Shock, Horror, but they needed a treasurer. They did not revert to paper after I left.

It very much depends on any discussion (and agreement) which happened between A and B before that AGM.

If A just sprang this on B _at_ the AGM, then he absolutely should have been, politely but firmly, slapped down.

I could imagine an earlier conversation in which A had said he was willing to give any help and guidance that B might want - which morphed into the "I will supervise" statement following a rush of blood to the head during the AGM.