I am on the interim committee at church to find and bring before the church an interim pastor. I did not approve of the man that the other two wanted to put before the church. They told me that since they agreed and they were the majority, that they were going to submit his name anyway.

They approached the head deacon, made proper arrangements for a called conference. After the nomination was made and seconded, I asked to be recognized. I stated to the congregation that I had not been in favor of this nomination and that it was not a recommendation of the full committee.

After an orderly recognition of anyone who wished to speak, a secret ballot was taken and counted in front of the room. Our bylaws state that in order to elect anyone, it takes three-fourths of the votes of the ones present. The outcome was only 72%. That was not disputed. But, now, there is talk that some are going to abolish that committee and elect a new one. Can that be done under Robert's Rules of Order? - V.L., Jan. 10, 2000

A: Yes, the committee can be abolished if the committee is ad hoc and not a standing committee. From what you write, I believe your interim committee is ad hoc (i.e., it no longer exists after it completes its job); that after a pastor is elected, the committee disolves.

The motion to abolish a committee before it completes its task is called Discharge a Committee. It requires a second, is debatable, and requires either (a) a two-thirds vote; (b) a majority vote, previous notice having been given; or (c) a majority vote of the entire membership.

If Discharge is adopted, the task returns to the assembly, which may then re-commit it to another committee. (See RONR Section 35.)