If no committee chair is named, who takes the lead?

• A. The last member named to the committee
• B. The first member named to the committee
• C. The most senior member
• D. The advisor selects

Answer: (B)

The lead is given by a simple, practical default: the first member named to the committee takes the chair role if no chair is specified. This provides an immediate, clear leader to preside over meetings, set agendas, and guide the group through its initial work until the committee can elect a chair or a higher authority designates someone else. It avoids delays and confusion, giving the committee a functional start right away. The other possibilities aren’t standard defaults: the most senior member isn’t automatically the chair under typical procedures, and letting the advisor or the last-named member decide or presume leadership isn’t the usual rule.