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The Committee, relying on the expertise of its members, considers issues and develops recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors. A recommendation approved by a simple majority committee vote is transmitted to the Board as a Vote to Recommend (VTR). A clarifying statement or rationale developed by staff and the chairs should be written for each VTR and provided to the Board. VTRs approved by the Board are forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Health as official PEHSC positions on EMS issues. All Committee recommendations maintain a "draft" status and cannot be represented as the official position of PEHSC until approved by the Board of Directors. When indicated, the Committee develops position statements on various issues to provide guidance to the Board of Directors and EMS community. Position statements are generally drafted following each meeting by staff, based on VTRs and discussion points generated by the Committee members. Position statements are usually developed for proposed legislative issues, although they may be required for other situations as indicated by the Committee chair. CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES The chair is expected to run each meeting in an effective and efficient manner. Chairs should have an understanding of parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules of Order and be able to apply proper procedure when necessary. The chair should strive to keep each meeting focused on the agenda items, with a bias toward action and completion of the tasks to be accomplished. Chairs should not hesitate to refer a matter to a subcommittee, task force, or other PEHSC committee, but should recognize the point when enough productive thought and discussion has occurred and the time has arrived to make a decision and put the matter to a vote. Chairs should attend the meetings of the Board of Directors and provide updates of Committee activities. When the Committee has developed VTRs, the chairs should be prepared to present them and explain their underlying rationale. Chairs should maintain liaisons with the Council President and staff regarding Committee projects and progress. Chairs should be available to consult with staff on issues such as agenda planning, Committee document preparation, and other issues. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY Committee members are expected to attend the meetings and participate in all discussions and deliberations, demonstrating a high degree of interest, commitment, and genuine concern for the improvement of EMS. In order to maintain active status on the Committee, members may not miss two or more consecutive scheduled meetings. Members with two or more unexcused absences will be subject to dismissal. There is a great amount of work to be accomplished by the Committee, and membership appointments must be made to achieve maximum productivity. Members receive meeting notices and agendas approximately 30 days prior to each scheduled meeting. Members also receive a postage-paid attendance card, which must be returned promptly by the indicated date to inform the Council whether or not you plan on attending the meeting. Members who must change their plans regarding meeting attendance should notify the Council office no later than 4 p.m. on the day before the meeting. Generally, members will receive copies of documents and materials in the mail for discussion at each meeting. Members should bring all materials to the subsequent meeting, because extra copies will not be available at the time of the meeting. This policy assists PEHSC in keeping copying and administrative costs to a minimum. On occasion, however, materials will not be mailed prior to the meeting, in which case members will be provided with necessary documents at the meeting. Members must advise the Council of any change of address. In case of inclement weather on the meeting day, members should contact the Council office to determine whether the meeting will be held as scheduled. PEHSC cancels any meeting in which travel conditions may pose a hazard to members. Committee members are responsible to sign the attendance roster at the meeting. Failure to do so will result in being classified as absent. The Committee has a multitude of decisions to make in limited meeting time. Therefore, members should avoid lengthy, rambling, or repetitive statements, and concisely state their positions. Members should strive to keep the focus of the debate constructive, rather than argumentative. |
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