A blue ribbon committee is formed when a standard investigation is inadequate due to technicalities or lack of public trust. It consists of recognized experts and retired statesmen known for their expertise and objectivity. They are convened for sensitive issues, scholarship selection, and controversial topics.
Occasionally, an event of such magnitude or sensitivity occurs that a standard investigation would simply be inadequate. There may be too many technicalities to consider, or the general public may not trust examiners to be completely objective or thorough. In situations like this, the authorities may request the formation of a blue ribbon committee. This group usually consists of recognized experts or retired statesmen known for both their expertise and their objectivity. Members are also often selected for their public figures, such as well-known consumer advocate Ralph Nader or illustrious former president Jimmy Carter.
A blue-ribbon committee may not work together any better than other investigative groups, but the experience and reputation of individual members is its real strength. Following the tragic events of 11 September 2001, for example, a call was launched for an objective commission to scrutinize all evidence and reports in order to make recommendations for the future. Since the actions of the current presidential administration were also under scrutiny, the selected jury had to be considered politically impartial. This is why a blue-ribbon commission made up of private experts and former statesmen was convened instead of a collection of active government officials.
However, the work of such a group is not limited to sensitive or general public issues. Colleges and non-profit scholarship providers often convene this type of committee to determine the top recipients of scholarships, national awards, or other honors. By recruiting a broad spectrum of professionals to a blue ribbon committee, it is hoped that a candidate’s specific skills and talents can be adequately assessed by at least one industry expert.
Other organizations may also seek a blue ribbon committee to look into a controversial issue such as mandatory seat belt use on buses or improving internal safety. Ideally, members represent every aspect of the issue at hand and can speak with authority during open discussions. A doctor who serves on such a committee, for example, should be able to present the position of the medical community on seat belt use, while a lawyer on the same committee should present the position of the legal community. These groups work best when all their members are aware of their responsibilities as representatives of their professions.
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