Hi Mr Canfield,

We do have an advisory committee here at the University of Waterloo 
Language Lab (Ontario Canada).

We deal with four main departments covering ten language groups.  The 
advisory committee is made up of one rep from each of the four main 
departments.  The Associate Dean of Computing for the Arts Faculty 
chairs the committee and I (the Lab director) attend and give a full 
briefing to members.

No extra expenses are incurred (unless you count coffee and doughnuts).

It is rather informal and suggestions from committee members are 
acted upon as quickly as possible.
We have not come across major blockages in our proceedings so have 
not had to determine limitations of authority or the like.

Members can report back to departments as they see fit but there is 
still communication between the chair and myself at other times or 
between myself and department members who are not on the committee.

Hope this helps,

Todd M-Taylor

Todd Marshall-Taylor
Language Computing Consultant
University of Waterloo
(519) 888-4567 ext. 2774