councils
Deliberative advisory groups
Councils is the plural of council, a group of people assembled to deliberate, advise, or govern.
City councils make local laws.
A council of elders guides a community.
Student councils represent their peers.
The word often appears in official names: the UN Security Council, the Council of Trent.
Not to be confused with counsel, which means advice or a lawyer.
National legislative assembly
- senateLegislative governing body
- assemblyConstructing from components
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- lawmakerOne who drafts legislation
statute · bill · legislation · enactment · decree · act · charter · amendment
Meeting seeking expert guidance
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- advisorsThose who give counsel
- consultantsExperts hired for guidance
experts · panel · board · committee · briefing · input · feedback · strategy
Formal argument on issues
- discussionExchange of ideas
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
negotiation · mediation · resolution · quorum · voting · motion · proceedings · agenda
Church governing assembly
- dioceseBishop's territorial jurisdiction
- parishLocal church community
- vestryChurch robing chamber
- presbyteryClergy dwelling or sanctuary
consistory · elders · clergy · bishop · cardinal · convocation · ecumenical · canonical
Local governing district
- cityLarge populated area
- townMid-sized settlement
- boroughAdministrative town or district
- wardProtected person; division
district · township · parish · village · alderman · mayor · selectmen · zoning
Enclosed storage furniture
- ministryClergy's work or state department
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
governance · jurisdiction · officials · oversight · policy · regulation · directive · secretariat
parliament
National legislative assembly
- senateLegislative governing body
- assemblyConstructing from components
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
lawmaker · statute · bill · legislation · enactment · decree · act · charter · amendment · representative
consultation
Meeting seeking expert guidance
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- advisorsThose who give counsel
consultants · experts · panel · board · committee · briefing · input · feedback · strategy · evaluation
debate
Formal argument on issues
- discussionExchange of ideas
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
consideration · negotiation · mediation · resolution · quorum · voting · motion · proceedings · agenda · minutes
synod
Church governing assembly
presbytery · consistory · elders · clergy · bishop · cardinal · convocation · ecumenical · canonical · Vatican
municipality
Local governing district
ward · district · township · parish · village · alderman · mayor · selectmen · zoning · ordinance
cabinet
Enclosed storage furniture
- ministryClergy's work or state department
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
authority · governance · jurisdiction · officials · oversight · policy · regulation · directive · secretariat · portfolio
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
- governancegovernance, government, democracy, vote, parliament
- church historychurch history, apostles, Protestant Reformation, Christian history, baptism
- international lawinternational law, treaty, treaties, conventions, protocols
- decentralizationdecentralized, distribute, spread, disperse, scatter
- early churchapostles, early church, Church Fathers, apostolic fathers, Acts of the Apostles
councilsdictator
Ruler with total control
autocrat · monarch · despot · tyrant · individual
councilsmobs
Chaotic, lawless gatherings
crowds · rabble · gatherings · assemblages · throngs
- UN Security CouncilWorld body overseeing peace
- city councilLocal legislative assembly
- tribal councilIndigenous community's ruling body
- student councilElected pupil representatives
- town councilMunicipal governing body
- community councilLocal representative assembly
council, council housing, councilman, councilor, councillors, councillor, councilwoman, councilors, councilmen