Formal Recommendation by the 

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

to the National Organic Program (NOP)

 

Date: December 2, 2011

Subject: Administrative Team

Chair: Tracy Miedema

 

 

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following: 

Update NOSB Policy & Procedures Manual 

 

Statement of the Recommendation (Including Recount of Vote): 

It was noted at the Spring 2011 NOSB meeting that there is no description in the 

PPM of the Administrative Team, an informal group consisting of the Chair, Vice 

Chair, Secretary and Executive Director which has traditionally convened on a 

regular basis to coordinate the operations and logistics of the board’s work. This 

recommendation updates the PPM to add a description of this group. 

 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with 

OFPA and NOP): 

This recommendation describes an administrative change to the Policy and 

Procedures Manual of the NOSB. 

NOSB Vote:

Moved: Flamm Second: Dickson

Yes: 14 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recusal: 0 
National Organic Standards Board

Policy Development Committee

Final Recommendation

Administrative Team

December 2, 2011

Introduction and Background

The Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) of the NOSB represents the board policies 

on committee responsibilities, board procedures, and other matters of board operational 

policy. It was noted at the Spring 2011 NOSB meeting that there is no description in the 

PPM of the Administrative Team, an informal group consisting of the Chair, Vice Chair, 

Secretary and Executive Director which has traditionally convened on a regular basis to 

coordinate the operations and logistics of the board’s work. This recommendation 

updates the PPM to add a description of this group. 

Relevant Areas in the Rule

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, 7 USC 6518 (a), directed the Secretary of 

Agriculture to establish the National Organic Standards Board and described its 

composition, authority and duties.

Discussion

As noted, the Administrative Team has met on a regular basis (generally weekly) as a 

forum for the Officers of the board and the Executive Director to plan, coordinate and 

administer the board’s operations. This team does not deal directly with the substance 

of the board's work but rather with the administrative and operational details of the 

NOSB's meetings and overall work. While this is not an official committee of the NOSB, 

the PDC recommends that a brief description of the Administrative Team be included in 

the PPM since this team is often referenced in board and committee meetings. 

Recommendation

The PDC recommends that Section IV of the NOSB Policy and Procedures Manual be 

amended by insertion of the following description, in the section entitled “Officer 

Responsibilities,” immediately following the “Secretary” description: 

Administration Team 

The term “Administrative Team” describes a group consisting of the Chair, Vice 

Chair, Secretary and Executive Director. This group may meet on a weekly basis or 

as needed by teleconference or correspond by email in order to coordinate the

overall logistics and operations of the board, the officer responsibilities noted above, 

and the overall support provided to the Board by the Executive Director. 
Page 2 of 2 

Administrative Team 

 

Committee Vote

Motion: to accept the proposed amendment to the Policy and Procedures Manual 

described above. 

Motion by: Joe Dickson Second: Calvin Walker

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0