Why is this a problem?
Committee work often takes more time than people think. This can become too much for people to manage, leading to fatigue and distress. It can be especially hard for people with disabilities, who may have changing energy levels, caregiving responsibilities, or need more time because of access needs.
Many members experience:
- Too many meetings
- Tasks that take longer than planned, like reading, writing, or editing
- Pressure to do both technical work and advocate for underrepresented communities
Ways to address the barrier
Be flexible with meeting time and timelines
Action for Facilitating , Preparing for committees , and Organizing
Ensure all documents are accessible
Action for Documents
Help with information management
Action for Workload and Facilitating
Plan for regular check-ins with new members
Action for Preparing for committees
Set clear and realistic timelines for reviews, drafts, or revisions
Action for Workload