Often a committee will develop particular characteristics which are not conducive to effective committee work. Committee members may have tendencies to:

Groupthink

When a group is very cohesive, there is the risk of groupthink. This becomes a problem if the committee is agreeing to decisions that will adversely affect consumers. You may find that everyone is getting along so well that you or other committee members do not want conflict, so decisions are agreed to too readily.

Keep it in the back of your mind that groupthink can happen, especially when you are most enjoying committee meetings, because things are running so smoothly! Consciously assess each decision made by the committee. If you decide that decisions may adversely affect consumers then you must voice your concerns.

Work avoidance

Committee members often avoid working on the real issues when the committee is very busy with long agendas. Perhaps time is spent discussing problems which the committee has no scope to change or focusing on trivia and putting the hard issues at the end of the agenda. As with groupthink, this can happen when things seem to be going very well.

Remind committee members of the aims of the committee and its terms of reference. Suggest that the committee take time out to reassess its priorities.

Losing independence

Occasionally you may find that committee members are so enthusiastic about the work of the committee that you find yourself caught up in their enthusiasm. This is not necessarily a problem unless it clouds your consumer perspective and prevents you from voicing problems or concerns.

If you feel that you have lost focus, reassess the purpose of your appointment and your goals. If it becomes a real problem then you need to discuss this issue with your nominating organisation.

Putting people into certain roles

You may find that as a consumer representative you are placed in the role of complainant or opponent; or that the committee places a member in the role of leader and tries to get them to make the committee's decisions for them and to resolve any conflicts; or that one member is made into the committee's scapegoat.

Try to avoid this role stereotyping. It is useful at times to surprise others by agreeing with them and being positive. Beware of the tendency to get one person to do the committee's work and blaming this person if the committee doesn't achieve its objectives

If you notice role casting, point it out to the rest of the committee. Remind committee members that you all must work as a group. The final outcomes are as a group, not as individuals.