Mental Health Programs
About CMHS
CMHS National Advisory Council
Subcommittee on Consumer/Survivor Issues
Operational Guidelines
Mr. del Vecchio reviewed pertinent sections of the "Policy and Guidance Handbook for Council Members," which governs operations for the five advisory councils related to SAMHSA and will also govern operation of the subcommittee. He highlighted the following:
- Members must exercise caution when making public statements and indicate that they are speaking as individuals, rather than as representatives of the subcommittee. If they release information obtained through subcommittee participation, they must do so as private citizens, not subcommittee members.
- Meetings may not be conducted in the absence of a Federal official. Meetings are open to the public. All documents prepared and presented to council are available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act.
- Members must be sensitive to conflict of interest situations. It is essential that a member leave the room during any discussion that involves a situation in which he or she may be in a conflict of interest. Members serve on the subcommittee as individuals, not as representatives of organizations.
- Subcommittee members may not, while acting in such capacity engage, "grass roots" lobbying, which consists of appeals to members of the general public suggesting that they contact their elected representatives to indicate their support for or opposition to pending legislation. Members can not lobby on days they are serving as subcommittee members and can only lobby as private citizens on other occasions.
Meeting and decision-making processes
Mr. del Vecchio indicated that subcommittee meetings would precede the advisory council meetings. The tentative dates for those meetings are January 25-26, 2001, May 24-25, 2001, and September 6-7, 2001.
The subcommittee agreed to use Robert's Rules of Order as a basis by which to conduct meetings. Efforts will be made to reach consensus on items requiring a vote. In the event consensus is unobtainable, a minority report can be issued. Members agreed to a consent agenda whereby some items, such as approving the minutes, are listed as requiring "no discussion." Any item in this category can be open for discussion at the request of a member prior to the meeting. The quorum for a meeting is five.
Minutes and communications
Ms. Schauer asked if there were objections to taping of the sessions by CMHS, and Ms. Yokote noted that she was also taping the sessions. No objections were expressed.
CMHS staff will attempt to make minutes available four weeks after the close of the meeting. Members will have two weeks to review the minutes and can send their comments via e-mail. The minutes will be formally submitted for approval at the next subcommittee meeting, after which they will be sent to the CMHS advisory council.
Dr. Caras announced that she has established an e-mail discussion list for members of the public who want to give input to the subcommittee. The address is advise-cmhs@topica.com. Members discussed the importance of securing a loaner computer for subcommittee chair Russell Pierce.
Staff roles and working with the advisory council
Mr. del Vecchio offered guidance about effective functioning of the subcommittee and its relationship to the advisory council and the staff.
- Advisory bodies are most effective when they select "doable" objectives and offer advice related to their expertise. Such as identifying emerging problems, such as the use of restraints, for the advisory council to consider.
- Meetings of the advisory council often focus on themes, such as juvenile justice. It will be helpful for the subcommittee to coordinate its discussions around such themes and to relate consumer/survivor issues to them.
- Committee members should regard the advisory council as the audience for their work and should communicate to them in writing or through Mr. Pierce as the NAC consumer/survivor representative.
- CMHS staff will serve as educators about how the Federal Government operates, but can not do the work of the subcommittee.
Ms. Schauer requested that members indicate their areas of expertise and interest on a list. She will prepare a matrix, which can be used when CMHS is asked to identify consumers/survivors with particular areas of expertise.
Planning group thank you letter
The subcommittee requested that Mr. Brock prepare a letter thanking the planning group for their work.
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