Operating Principles

1. One or more of the convening federal agencies invites organizations to become members of the National Coordinating Committee on School Health and Safety (NCCSHS). The office serving as the administrator of NCCSHS manages this process.
   
   Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) eligible for membership include:

• National membership associations related to education, health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, or safety
  
  
• National voluntary health organizations
  
  
• Non-profit centers or foundations defined by a mission related to school health, nutrition or safety
  

2. The primary mission of NCCSHS is to bring together representatives of major national education, health, mental health, safety, and nutrition organizations for collaborative activities that promote policies and programs at national, state, tribal, and local levels for advancing the health of all children and adolescents and promoting their academic success and to inform federal agencies about current issues for the field.
   
   
3. The NCCSHS structure generally uses ad hoc task forces. Except as outlined in Item 4, it does not have standing subcommittees. Federal staff members provide administrative oversight.
   
   
4. The NCCSHS has two standing subcommittees: 1) a Steering Subcommittee and 2) an Editorial Review Board. In addition, a new Nominating Committee is convened every two years when it is time for NCCSHS member organizations to select a new chairperson (see Item 7). The Steering Subcommittee and Editorial Review Board are composed of volunteer organizational representatives and have separate volunteer leaders who have agreed to assume responsibility for coordinating the efforts of the subcommittees, to maintain close contact with federal staff, and to bring program/product development to closure. The chairperson of NCCSHS serves as the coordinator of the Steering Subcommittee.
   
   
5. NCCSHS organizations represented on the Steering Subcommittee rotate on a regular staggered schedule. Each organization’s term lasts for three years, and it may be renewed.
   
   
6. NCCSHS, or its substructures, will meet three times annually:

• Annual meeting – spring (open to all member organizations and agencies)
  
  
• Research and resource linkage (“issues”) meeting – fall (open meeting)
  
  
• Steering Subcommittee meeting for planning and operations - winter
  

7. The NCCSHS has an elected chairperson who serves two consecutive years. The NCCSHS chairperson works closely with federal administrative staff. The chairperson is selected by nomination and ballot from among organization member representatives. Generally, candidates will have served on the Steering Subcommittee. An individual has the opportunity to decline service as chairperson.

   A Nominating Committee will solicit nominations and prepare a slate of at least one and no more than 2 candidates for the office of NCCSHS chairperson. The Nominating Committee will consist of the immediate past NCCSHS chairperson as chair of the Nominating Committee plus the two most recent and available past NCCSHS chairpersons.

8. Balloting takes place by mail or through electronic communication following the annual meeting so that all member organizations may participate. Each member organization has one vote. Federal agencies do not vote. The newly elected chairperson assumes that role on October 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year and is prior to the Steering Subcommittee meeting, the first meeting of the NCCSHS year. To maintain continuity, the immediate past chairperson orients the incoming chairperson of the NCCSHS and maintains an advisory role.
   
   
9. The Editorial Review Board of NCCSHS reviews materials submitted for inclusion on the NCCSHS website and other documents written under the name of the NCCSHS. All such materials include a disclaimer stating that the views expressed do not necessarily represent the opinions of all member organizations or of the federal co-sponsoring agencies.
   
   
10. Operating principles of the NCCSHS can be modified during the annual business meeting by a majority vote of those member organizations present. Each organization has one vote and Federal agency representatives do not vote.