The Southwest Charter School by-laws define the following standing committees:

1. Communications Committee
2. Curriculum Committee
3. Development Committee
4. Enrollment Committee
5. Finance Committee
6. Parent/Community Committee
7. Personnel Committee
8. Property Committee
9. Student Life Committee

Parents and other members of the SWCS community are invited to participate in the committee process. Each committee must have a member who is a board member. Below are the "Powers and Duties of Each Committee":

a. The Communications Committee shall be responsible for preparing and distributing all communications to members of the Corporation, to the community and to all other persons and institutions about the Corporation and the School. The Communications Committee shall recommend to the Board what information should be distributed, how it should be distributed, and when it should be distributed. The substance of communications to be distributed will be at the request of the Board or the President, and, if possible, approved by at least one member of the Board or President before being released.

b. The Curriculum Committee shall develop the initial curriculum of the School, and oversee and approve all changes and revisions to that curriculum. The Curriculum Committee shall work closely with the Administrator and staff with respect to the initial curriculum and subsequent revisions. The Curriculum Committee may, with Board approval, hire a consultant or consultants to assist in the development of the school’s curriculum. The Curriculum Committee shall annually review the results of all standardized tests taken by students at the School, and shall consider revisions to the curriculum so that 100% of the School’s students meet or exceed the benchmarks set for each test.

c. The Development Committee shall be responsible for development and implementation of fundraising efforts of the Corporation, with the approval of the Board. The Development Committee shall work with the Finance Committee to establish a realistic fundraising goal for each year’s budget. The Development Committee should also seek out and recommend proposals for sponsorship of the Corporation’s activities.

d. The Enrollment Committee shall recommend to the Board, no later than four months prior to the Annual Meeting, a target enrollment for the School for each year. The Enrollment Committee shall work with the Communications Committee to publicize the existence and availability of the School for the purpose of attracting student applicants. The Enrollment Committee shall collect applications for the School, and, if the number of applicants exceeds to number of slots available to new students, conduct a lottery in accordance with the School’s charter.

e. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for reviewing all receipts and disbursements and reviewing the annual reports of income and expenses and other financial reports prepared by the Treasurer. The Finance Committee shall prepare a proposed budget for each fiscal year, with the preliminary budget to be presented to the Board at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting so it may be completed and approved in final form prior to the Annual Meeting. The Finance Committee will arrange for an annual audit of the finances of the Corporation as required by Oregon law.

f. The Parent/Community Committee shall be responsible for creating programs and activities which make parents, potential parents and the community feel comfortable and welcome in the School. The Parent/Community Committee is also responsible for recruiting volunteers to assist the Corporation and School in its Mission, as directed by the Board. The Fundraising Committee shall be responsible for development and implementation of fundraising efforts of the Corporation, with the approval of the Board.

g. The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for recruiting and interviewing potential independent contractors and employees of the Corporation, and recommending who should be hired to the Board, President or Administrator (as applicable). The Personnel Committee shall also be responsible for annual employee reviews and investigation of complaints or concerns about employees. The Personnel Committee shall recommend whether any employee shall be fired or disciplined. The Personnel Committee shall recommend salaries and benefits for all employees.

h. The Property Committee shall identify potential sites for the location of the School and work with the Board to negotiate terms for the lease of the site. The Property Committee shall cause the School’s site to be inspected annually, and report on the condition of the site. It shall be also inspect and report on the condition of the furniture and equipment, and recommend to the Board what improvements and replacements are necessary.

i. The Student Life Committee shall be responsible for developing and overseeing before-school, after-school, summer and other programs for students outside the normal school day. The Student Life Committee shall also solicit student input as to how the School can better meet its Mission. The Student Life Committee should include students on its committee.