The differences of council, committee, and commission?

[sky753]

Hello Everyone,

It seems to me that council, committee and commission has a similar meaning of organization!

I would like to know their differences here?

Regards

Sky

[Anglika]

There are a number of possible meanings. Can you provide source citations in which you have met them?

[jlinger]

A council is generally elected, whether it's a student council or a town council. Being elected, it probably has a "term" or a limit of time that it exists before it must go back to the voters.

A committee is usually "struck" - which means that a group, a council or any group, may appoint or call for volunteers to join a smaller group, a sub-group, a committee to discuss a particular smaller issue, and then report back to the main group. Committees may be "standing" which means they exist more or less permanantly, or "ad hoc" meaning their existance will cease when they make their final report.

A commission is usually appointed by a government body. The members aren't usually elected, nor do they generally hold up their hands and volunteer. The responsible party, leader, chairman/woman, simply says, "I'll form a commission to study this" and then does so. A commission has a specific task or research project, and when complete, reports back to the party that appointed it, and then disolves (ceases to exist).

[sky753]

There are a number of possible meanings. Can you provide source citations in which you have met them?

the National Committee on U. S. -China Relations
the U. S. -China Business Council
U. S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce andTrade

I am not sure whether such translation is proper? All this are taken from the interpreting textbook.

[Anglika]

They are titles of official bodies:

National Committee on U. S. -China Relations = http://www.ncuscr.org/

U. S.-China Business Council = an association of businessmen from both countries whose role is to act as advocates for the building of trade links.

U. S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade = USTR - The U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

[sky753]

A council is generally elected, whether it's a student council or a town council. Being elected, it probably has a "term" or a limit of time that it exists before it must go back to the voters.

A committee is usually "struck" - which means that a group, a council or any group, may appoint or call for volunteers to join a smaller group, a sub-group, a committee to discuss a particular smaller issue, and then report back to the main group. Committees may be "standing" which means they exist more or less permanantly, or "ad hoc" meaning their existance will cease when they make their final report.

A commission is usually appointed by a government body. The members aren't usually elected, nor do they generally hold up their hands and volunteer. The responsible party, leader, chairman/woman, simply says, "I'll form a commission to study this" and then does so. A commission has a specific task or research project, and when complete, reports back to the party that appointed it, and then disolves (ceases to exist).

Could you give three relevant phrase using the three words to better define them? Only from the definition above, I can't get a clear knowledge!
Thank you!