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1. PURPOSE
This charter describes the duties and responsibilities of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) Diversity Council, the organization of its membership,
and its operating procedures. This charter also explains the structure of
the Diversity Council, its reporting relationships to the Management
Council, the Commissioner of the FDA, and the Director of the Office of
Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEEODM).
2. BACKGROUND
The Diversity Council was designed to serve as a working advisory body to
the Commissioner of the FDA, the Management Council, and the Director of
OEEODM. Its purpose is to foster effective diversity management practices
in the agency, promote workforce diversity initiatives, and integrate the
principles of diversity in the FDA, in accordance with the FDA’s Policy on
Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity. The Council is a forum to
discuss diversity issues; share ideas and information on diversity matters
and events; collaborate on and implement diversity initiatives; and
leverage organizational resources. Its mission is to foster an environment
of acceptance, inclusion, and cooperation.
3. SCOPE
The Diversity Council is a sub-committee of the Management Council and
serves as an advisory body to the Commissioner of the FDA, the Management
Council, and Director of OEEODM, to support and promote the principles of
equity and diversity throughout the FDA.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
The following are the responsibilities of the Diversity Council:
Reviews FDA’s programs, policies, and initiatives as they relate to
workforce diversity, including strategic action plans, reports, and policy
statements, and makes recommendations to the Management Council and
Commissioner of the FDA in support of diversity in the workplace.
Provides advice and consultation to the Commissioner and Director, OEEODM
on the development and implementation of FDA’s diversity management
initiatives, including: ensuring equal access to employment, training, and
educational opportunities; improving understanding of cultural
characteristics and differences within the workforce; performing
organizational assessments; serving as a change agent to improve the
organizational culture; and supporting leadership development in the area
of diversity management and conflict prevention and resolution.
Ensures diversity is considered in strategic management initiatives and
that strategic planning is aligned with diversity management objectives.
Develops and supports initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in the FDA.
Serves as a communication channel through which all FDA employees will be
able to express ideas as they relate to diversity issues, and a link
between employees and management.
Supports the commissioner and Director, OEEODM in other appropriate ways to
foster an atmosphere of acceptance, inclusion, equity, and diversity in the
FDA.
Assists FDA managers in their efforts to enhance and promote diversity in
their respective organizations.
Provides an annual report of its activities and recommendations to the FDA
Management Council.
5. STRUCTURE
The Diversity Council is a subcommittee of the Management Council and
reports to the Management Council. The Diversity Council operates under the
auspices of an elected Chairperson and receives staff support from the
OEEODM, as available. The Diversity Council comprises voting and non-voting
representatives from across the Agency. Council Membership and its
respective responsibilities are as follows:
Chairperson/Vice Chairperson:
A Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected annually by a simple
majority of the Diversity Council members present at the time of election.
Elections shall be held at the November Council meeting and the newly
elected Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall take office in January. The
Chair and Vice-Chair may serve no more than two consecutive terms in each
position.
The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Council and have the
authority and responsibility customarily conferred on presiding officers.
The Chairperson shall be responsible for directing the activities of the
Council and planning its work agendas. The Chairperson shall prepare and
disseminate an agenda for each meeting at least seen days in advance of the
meeting.
The Chair shall be responsible for maintaining minutes for each meeting of
the Council, and other record keeping duties, as necessary.
The Chairperson may appoint task groups to study, research, or report on
issues related to the mission of the Council and to implement Council
projects, as voted on by the Council. These assignments shall become part
of the minutes of the Diversity Council.
The Chairperson shall submit an annual report of the Council’s activities
to the Commissioner and Management Council.
In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chairperson will assume
responsibility for the operation of the Diversity Council.
Voting Members:
Two appointed representatives (one management employee and one non-
management employee) from each FDA Center and the Office of the
Commissioner.
Two appointed representatives (one management employee and one non-
management employee) representing the headquarters office of the Office of
Regulatory Affairs.
Two appointed representatives (one management employee and one non-
management employee) representing the field offices of the Office of
Regulatory Affairs.
Responsibilities for voting members shall be outlined in a Statement of
Roles and Responsibilities for Diversity Council Representatives.
Non-Voting Members:
One Union Representative
The FDA’s Human Resources Liaison
Three Representatives from OEEODM
Other Officers and participants may be appointed/invited to the Council at
the discretion of the Chairperson.
6. PROCEDURES
Diversity Council Meetings
The Diversity Council will meet on the first Wednesday of every month in
the Parklawn Building utilizing telephonic conference or PicTel
communications, as necessary.
The Chairperson shall appoint a person to record meetings, prepare minutes,
and distribute materials for review by Council members prior to each
meeting. OEEODM shall provide staff support to the Council to the extent
that its resources permit.
Method of Conducting Internal Business
The Diversity Council shall take action by the adoption of resolutions.
Resolutions shall be adopted by a simple majority vote of the members
present at any given Council meeting.
When resolutions are deemed unnecessary, the Council may take action by
polling its members for consensus of opinions.
Consensus is reached when, after discussion and without a vote, the
majority of the members present agree that an action should or should not
be taken.
The Chairperson may appoint committees or working groups at his or her
discretion. Such work groups may be long-term/standing or short-term/task
oriented. Committees and short-term working groups will be dissolved when
their work has been completed.
Amendments – This Charter may be altered, amended, or repealed and a new
Charter adopted only upon action by a majority vote of all members present
during a regular monthly meeting and with the approval of the Management
Council.
7. APPROVAL
Upon signature, this charter will be valid until five years after the
effective date at which time, the charter will be certified as current or
revised, as needed.
Lester M Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Acting Commissioner, Food and Drugs
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