Open Meeting Act. There is no law requiring that committees hold open meetings or post agendas. The Open Meeting Act applies only to meetings of the board. Most committees are advisory in nature and deliver their recommendations to the board of directors in open meetings where members can hear the committee's recommendations.

Decision-Making Committees. Even though not required by statute, committees with decision-making authority, such as architectural committees (except for those under developer control), should give notice to the membership and post agendas and allow members to attend.

Directors on Committees. If a majority of directors were to serve on a committee (such as Finance Committee) and that committee heard, discussed, or deliberated on any item of business that was within the authority of the board, the committee meeting would meet the definition of a "board meeting." Civ. Code §1363.05(k). Such meetings would require notice to the membership and posting of an agenda.

Committee Reports. Unless committee reports cover executive session topics, all oral reports by committees to the board should be given in open session so members can hear the reports.

Setting the Agenda. The objectives of the committee are set by the board but committee agendas are set by the committee chair. Boards should not micromanage their committees nor should individual directors interfere with the committee's work. If the board is unhappy with how a committee is being chaired, it can appoint someone else to head the committee.