Thoughts on committees

'Thoughts on committees' by Aubrey Hill

Oh what a pity, another committee has messed it up again

And safeguarding measures that give me no pleasure are driving me insane.

Whatever I do – in a moment or two – we’re back in square one again.

Every time a plan is tried, it goes straight down the drain.

Everyone present is ever so pleasant; you’d think a result would be sure

But as time marches on some cracking appears, often too deep for a cure.

The only thing for it, to sooth hurting feelings, is start all over again.

So, have some tea and a biscuit or three – and try to forget it’s in vain.

So notes are taken and minutes are read, and nobody says what they mean,

And the old status quo is recovered quite soon without upsetting the team

(which will make up the bulk of the next business meeting) it’s almost becoming obscene.

So, here’s to the committee that does what it should

and talks of the tree instead of the wood.

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Comments

You sound exasperated, Aubrey, and it’s easy to recognise the features that can bring that about. 

I wonder if there might usefully be classes for Quakers in how to avoid the pitfalls that arise in some interpretations of ‘business methods’? 

Clive

By Clive & Carole on 20th November 2016 - 18:40

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