I was on the Company Council for several years with a UK regional carrier.
I well remember a conversation with a member who was quite rightly and eloquently buttonholing me on issues that he had strong opinions on. I suggested that he would make a good Company Council member, and why didn't he put himself forward. His reply was priceless: "I'd love to, but I have my career to think about, and I don't want to put my head above the parapet"
Says it all, really.