the first questions is:  are you employed by a working board or a business
board:  if its working, of course they want to be on the committee - who
wouldn't?  if they're business board - they'll be comfortable with (or
should be) with staff helping make the recommendations.
 
i commmend you for wanting to include other stakeholders in the process.
 
i'm working for an organization that wants to control what exhibits are
chosen from the top and then convince the community its really good stuff.
bad idea if you ask me :) the old model of 'build it and they will come,'
which certainly relates to the thread of not having the expected or desired
attendance.
 
most important when building the committee is to have clear and meaningful
roles defined for your members. otherwise, the good people you attract
aren't likely to stay for long.
 
finally, one thing the committee ought to put at the top of its list of 'to
do' is to set the policy on how exhibits should be chosen:  what criteria do
they need to meet? from whom are suggestions solicited?  what amount of
variance from the agreed-to criteria will be allowed?  this policy can then
be approved by the full board (as it should be, no matter the exhibit
committee).  it helps when the ground rules are clear.  at least that's the
experience i've not had to suggest to me what i would have liked to have
seen. and when its tied to mission by policy it makes the decision making
process much easier.
 
i also commend cedar on the recommendation to have a fluid advisory
committee, once policy is established....
 

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