What describes an ad hoc committee?

• A. A standing committee with ongoing duties
• B. One-time issue with a specific time frame
• C. A committee that handles elections
• D. A subcommittee of the board with permanent membership

Answer: (B)

An ad hoc committee is a temporary group formed to handle a specific issue or task and is dissolved once that work is finished. The emphasis is on a defined purpose and a fixed end date or milestone, not on ongoing duties. This distinguishes it from standing committees, which exist continuously to manage recurring or long-term responsibilities.

Think through typical board decisions: if the board needs to study a new policy, investigate a particular concern, or plan a one-time project, it might charter an ad hoc committee to focus on that assignment. The committee works within a limited scope and reports back to the board, and once its objective is met, it is often sunset and its duties end. The membership can be temporary, changing with each new ad hoc assignment, unlike a subcommittee with permanent members that implies an enduring structure.