A: First, check your bylaws and any special rules of order, for they may prescribe the answer for your organization.

Generally, committees are formed by the motion to Refer or Commit. The motion itself will usually state either (1) who should be on the committee, including the chairman; or, (2) how the committee should be chosen: by election or appointment. If the presiding officer is ordered to appoint the committee, the first member he names is its chairman. If the assembly elects the committee, it can either name the chairman, or the first member named will serve as the acting chairman until the committee elects its own chairman.