A basic distinction between boards and advisory councils is found in the terminology. An advisory council, by definition, gives advice. That advice can be acted upon, ignored or put on hold for future decisions. The point is that the advice is just that. Respective organizations consider, but are not bound to act upon, advisory council recommendations, as much as they may appreciate them. A board of directors/trustees’ decisions, however, are binding and serve to govern the organization. That is why boards of directors/trustees may be held collectively liable for the functioning of their organizations while advisory councils, generally, are not.