This handbook offers guidelines to community colleges interested in the formation of advisory committees to the humanities. It begins by outlining the purposes and functions of such groups. It then emphasizes the importance of faculty and administrative support for advisory committees and suggests evidence that can be presented to promote this support. After several examples are cited of ways in which lay advisory committees have been initiated at community colleges, the paper identifies several components of effective planning efforts and discusses the functions of a planning group made up of concerned faculty and administrators. Next, the selection, characteristics, membership rotation, and size of the advisory committee are discussed, and the roles and functions of key committee members are examined, including the chairperson, secretary, and community college representative. The next sections of the guide suggest questions that should be addressed as the committee establishes its annual program of work and recommend possible committee activities in the areas of student recruitment, follow-up, and continuation; instruction; instructor quality; and community outreach. Next, guidelines are presented for conducting effective committee meetings and criteria are recommended for evaluating the meetings. In conclusion, the paper recommends additional bases for judging the effectiveness of advisory committees. Sample agendas and a list of additional resources are appended. (AYC)