Since 2013, I have had the pleasure and privilege of sitting on a variety of advisory committees.
I have done so and continue to do so on committees of various departments of the Canadian Government along with some departments of the Ontario Provincial Government and various high profile companies.
For whereas I applaud the well meaning mission of almost all of these committees, I am often left to wonder how affective can these committees really be.
For at the end of the day, it is all about the power of listening.
In my humble opinion, the power of any advisory committee lies in its ability to first be listened to by upper management.
Next for upper management to truly consider and respect the opinions, suggestions, and feedback of said committees, and finally for all of this to be carried out in a tangent way.
For any advisory committee to be able to make a difference, there must first be meaningful engagement and communication between committee and company or department.
Next a complete buy-in that the advice being offered by the committee is relevant, believable, and realistic.
Finally for company/department to be able to have the ability to act on recommendations being offered.
Yes! There is a place for advisory committees in our landscape.
However no! these committees will not be successful if they are only in existence in order to satisfy some set of regulations that are being set out in an Act where
Companies and departments are being mandated to establish advisory committees.
There is definitely a place for advisory committees as long as they have the ability to influence policies, attitudes, and processes.
Advisory committees are one of the most affective ways to bring consumer groups and companies and departments together.
They should be viewed as being able to find and keep their hands on the pulses of consumer groups.
Their size should be appropriately kept to being able to be manageable.
They should be made up of both individuals who meaningfully represent consumer groups for and of persons with disabilities.
Finally great care should be taken to have a balance of representatives from both organizations and agencies for and of persons with disabilities
Additionally, to include persons within companies and departments who can be considered to be influencers.
I would further offer that advisory committees should not contain reps from agencies and organizations for persons with disabilities that are only there to gather information and that are only there to represent the welfare of said organizations and agencies.
Let us remember that at the end of the day the most important thing is for us to focus on what is best for the person on the street and not for the department, agency, or organization.
My final thoughts?
More listening is needed. More commitment is also needed.
We cannot move forward unless these 2 issues are addressed but most importantly?
Members need to be appropriately compensated for their time and expertise!
Just my two cents for today.
Image = An empty conference room with an empty meeting table. I thought it did a good job of speaking to the uselessness of advisory committees if they’re not given real power to enact change, like the chairs might as well all be empty otherwise. Alternatively, it can be seen as an invitation to come fill the empty seats!
To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit http://www.donnajodhan.com.