metacommittee

A metacommittee is a governing body composed to oversee and coordinate a set of subcommittees within a larger organization. The term signals that the committee operates at a meta level, focusing on policy, strategy, and cross-cutting issues rather than day-to-day operations.

Its primary purposes include aligning subcommittee work with the organization's strategic objectives, avoiding duplication of effort, standardizing procedures, and allocating resources across committees. It may also set overarching risk management, compliance, and reporting requirements.

Typical composition includes senior executives or board members, the chairs or vice-chairs of the subordinate committees, and occasionally independent experts or external advisors. Members are appointed by the board or executive leadership and serve fixed terms. The metacommittee can be advisory or empowered with decision-making authority depending on the organization's governance framework.

In relation to other bodies, the metacommittee reports to the board of directors or to an executive committee and may oversee the performance of subcommittees through dashboards, key performance indicators, and regular portfolio reviews. It may approve budgets for cross-cutting initiatives and resolve inter-committee conflicts.

Operating practices often include scheduled meetings, formal charters, standardized reporting formats, and a secretariat to maintain records. The metacommittee coordinates calendars, ensures alignment of cycles, and facilitates communication among subcommittees.

In organizations where used, the metacommittee can improve coherence and accountability but may also introduce additional layers of governance and potential delays if not designed with clear authority and streamlined processes.