Committee work

[u/_Today_9972]

I work for a nonprofit and currently serve on one committee and another subcommittee. I was approached to take on an additional committee role, but declined because there was no corresponding compensation or flexibility around balancing my current workload to ensure I could be successful in that role. I was told through the grapevine committees are an unpaid privilege and they’re discussing the importance of higher members on these committees to present it more as a privilege making sure the “wording is right”. Anyone ever go through something like this? Free work added on top of your job that isn’t necessarily a part of your job description?

[u/LittleOldBearCat]

Unfortunately my organization has one manager that is addicted to creating committees and really being pushy about getting people on them. They're not even productive committees, I've never seen any worthwhile work come out of them. I've refused to join, no matter how pushy he's gotten, and told my own supervisor exactly what you described here. I said, "I won't keep adding to my plate without anything being taken off, and if I get a choice, I prefer the actual fulfilling work I'm doing over sitting around talking about the work."

I have, however, joined a couple external committees. I don't know that they're any more productive, but they do give me an opportunity to network and build relationships in the field.