Study Break:

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

Comments from Over-Met Committee Constituents

Committees and meetings have gotten a bad name. I think this is primarily because most meeting participants haven't received training about how to behave. That's the purpose of the group discussion section. We'll know what to do and our meetings will work better. For now though, let's take a look at some of the funny, frustrated and yet still printable comments made about meetings and committees.

• Barnett Cocks, "A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled."
• Anonymous, "A camel is a horse designed by a committee."
• Robert Orben, "Sometimes I get the feeling that the two biggest problems in America today are making ends meet-and making meetings end."
• J. K. Galbraith & Robert Frost "Meetings are indispensable when you don't want to do anything."
• Arthur Goldberg, "If Columbus had had an advisory committee he would probably still be at the dock."
• J. B. Hughes, "If Moses had been a committee, the Israelites would still be in Egypt."
• Lord Milverton, "The ideas committee is one with me as chairman, and two other members in bed with flu."
• Harry Chapman, "List of Committee Rules: Never arrive on time: this stamps you as a beginner. Don't say anything until the meeting is over: this stamps you as being wise. Be as vague as possible: this avoids irritating the others. When in doubt suggest a subcommittee be appointed. Be the first to more for adjournment: this will make you popular-it's what everyone is waiting for."

Although committees and meetings have produced many comical remarks, it's important to remember they've also produced The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and The Bible.

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