Charter

National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Charter

The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) is a federation of organizations created to do the following:
1. Encourage and facilitate implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC); and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Public Safety National Coordination Committee (NCC); and the Public Safety Communications Assessment 2012–2022 & Technology, Operations, & Spectrum Roadmap;
2. Develop and make recommendations to appropriate governmental bodies regarding public safety communications issues and policies that promote greater interoperability and cooperation between local, state, tribal, and federal public safety agencies;
3. Serve as a standing forum for the exchange of ideas and information regarding public safety communications;
4. Conduct an outreach component to foster bi-directional information exchange with high-level officials and end users regarding public safety communications;
5. Develop tangible mediums to assist in the exchange of information between local, tribal, state, and federal entities;
6. Identify, support and conduct studies and research on public safety communications;
7. Support and promote collaboration across public safety disciplines through national leadership;
8. Monitor new technologies and/or projects and develop public safety requirements when necessary;
9. Participate in matters of concern to the national public safety telecommunications community; and,
10. Perform such other functions, as the NPSTC Governing Board deems appropriate, consistent with relevant law.
There shall be five classifications of participation in NPSTC: Governing Board Organization, Associate Organization, Liaison Organization, Affiliate Organization, and At-Large Participants. The qualifications for membership in each classification shall be as follows:
1. Governing Board Organizations may consist of non-profit agencies, organizations, and entities that represent the interests of predominately United States governmental entities and/or employees of these entities. Governing Board organizations are Voting Members. Governing Board organization representatives govern the affairs of NPSTC, subject to the provisions of this charter, and consisting of one officially designated primary representative and one alternate representative of each of the Governing Board member organizations.
2. Associate Organizations may consist of agencies, organizations, or entities that represent the interests of state and local governments of the United States its bordering countries of Mexico, and Canada, and their officials responsible for public protection and disaster response, or other critical infrastructure facilities necessary to serve the public and public safety. Associate organizations are Non-Voting Members. Associate members may participate in open meetings of the Governing Board, and are eligible to serve on NPSTC committees and any lower tier subcommittees, work groups, etc.
3. Liaison Organizations may consist of U.S. federal or international public safety agencies responsible for public protection or for disaster response or other activities necessary to serve the public and public safety, or other government agencies and offices having assigned responsibilities for monitoring, planning, or managing these activities, including the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Commerce, and the Federal Communications Commission. Liaison organizations are Non-Voting Members. Liaison members may participate in open meetings of the Governing Board, and are eligible to serve on NPSTC committees and any lower tier subcommittees, work groups, etc. U.S. federal agencies participating in NPSTC in as Liaison members do so with the understanding that any assistance or comments they provide do not necessarily represent the official opinions of their respective organization.
4. Affiliate Organizations may consist of officially participating industry organizations. Affiliate organizations must have a Memorandum of Understanding with NPSTC defining relationships, roles, and responsibilities of participation. Affiliate organizations are Non-Voting Members. Affiliate members may participate in open meetings of the Governing Board, and are eligible to serve on NPSTC committees and any lower tier subcommittees, work groups, etc.
5. At-Large Participants may consist of any individual or organization that has interest in public safety communications. At-large participants do not have voting privileges. At-large participants may participate in open meetings of the Governing Board, and are eligible to serve on NPSTC committees and any lower tier subcommittees, work groups, etc.
Governing Board Protocols
1. Governing Board primary representatives have one vote and, in their absence, their alternate representative may vote. If both the primary and alternate voting representatives are not available, the primary voting representative may, by written authorization, designate a voting representative to act as the proxy for the organization.
2. The Governing Board may add additional organizations by majority vote. Any official NPSTC recommendation or policy position shall require a consensus among those organizations eligible to vote. A consensus does not necessarily require unanimity.
3. The selected officers of the Governing Board shall consist of a Chair and two (2) Vice-Chairs who shall serve staggered three-year terms. Elections shall be held in April of each year for the position completing a three-year term. Officers will be allowed consecutive terms, except if the officer resigns and/or the Governing Board by majority vote determines otherwise. In the event of a vacancy in the Chair position prior to the end of an existing term, the first Vice-Chair will serve in the Chair's capacity for the remainder of the existing term. The second vice chair shall become the first vice chair. The Governing Board shall determine the need to fill the open vice chair position.
4. Officers will be allowed continuing terms, except if the officer resigns and/or the Governing Board by majority vote determines otherwise. In the event of a vacancy in the Chair position prior to the end of an existing term, the Vice-Chair(s) will serve in the Chair's capacity for the remainder of the existing term.
5. Only current primary voting representatives (not alternates) on the Governing Board may be selected to serve as the NPSTC Chair. Once the NPSTC Chair assumes the position, he/she is no longer affiliated as the primary voter for his/her association and does not have voting privileges. The association must then designate a new officially primary representative.
6. The NPSTC Chair is a non-voting position; however, the founding Chair is considered an At-Large member of the Governing Board and shall have one vote. The NPSTC Vice-Chair position may consist of either a primary voting representative for a member organization (maintaining voting rights as its primary voter), or a non-voting representative of a Governing Board organization.
7. The individual who has most recently served as the NPSTC Chair holds the position of Past Chair, until such time the current Chair assumes the Past Chair position. The Past Chair does not have voting privileges. A Past Chair may be named Chair Emeritus by Governing Board election. The Chair Emeritus is an honorary title, has no term limit, is not part of the Executive Committee, and does not have voting privileges.
8. Non-Voting organizations (Associates, Liaisons, Affiliates) shall be nominated for membership by a Governing Board member and approved by a majority vote.
9. The Governing Board may establish such committees, subcommittees, working groups, etc. as it deems appropriate, and establish procedures for appointing respective Chairs and Vice-Chairs, membership, and related operations.
10. Officers and committee chairs must be employees, or retirees of a public safety or service organization, as defined in the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC) Final Report, or a recognized organization representing these entities.
11. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair(s), Committee Chairs, Committee Vice-Chairs, Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Director, and may act upon routine matters without a vote of the Governing Board. Examples of routine matters include meeting arrangements, procedures, FCC filings in furtherance of matters previously approved by the Governing Board, and minor substantive matters.
12. All Governing Board and committee meetings shall be open to any At-large participant; however, certain meeting topics may be restricted to public safety or public service representatives. The Governing Board and its standing Committees shall provide at least 15 days notice of its meetings to its members. Notice of meetings shall be through such means as are approved by the Governing Board. Meetings may be conducted in person, by teleconference or via other electronic means.
NPSTC has not been created by any agency or department of the federal government and shall not take any action, which would deem NPSTC to be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
This Charter may be amended upon the approval of a majority of the Governing Board.
Appendix: Current Members