Why is this a problem?
Some committees treat long-time members and technical experts as the most important voices.
This can lead to:
- A few people dominating meetings while others stay quiet.
- New members feeling unsure about speaking up or feeling they have to prove themselves before being taken seriously.
- Jargon and insider language making it hard for new members to understand.
- Questions from new members being dismissed instead of answered.
- Non-technical people feeling less valued and pressured to speak like technical experts instead of sharing their real-world knowledge of marginalization or disability.
- Long-time members having more influence, even without formal authority.
- Decisions being made during side conversations instead of openly.
Ways to address the barrier
Empower chairs and facilitators to manage conflict
Actions for Facilitating , Organizing , and Training and knowledge building
Host onboarding meetings before committee work begins
Actions for Preparing for committees
Use inclusive approaches for decision-making
Actions for Facilitating