Defense

Nuclear

Facilities

Safety

Board

Washington, DC 20004

Policy

Statement

 

Date: July 2, 2020

Subject

Policy Statement on Board 

Collegiality. 

Summary

This policy statement establishes 

the approach the Defense Nuclear 

Facilities Safety Board will take 

regarding collegiality, 

maintenance of quorum and 

delegations of authority. 

Bruce Hamilton

Chairman 
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Board Policy Statement on Collegiality, Quorum and Delegations

I. Purpose/Objectives

This policy established the Board’s expectations of collegiality of Board Members in 

terms of policy setting and execution, maintenance of quorum, and decision-making on 

delegations of authorities assigned to the Board. 

II. Scope/Application

This policy outlines the essential framework of Board Procedures in the execution of the 

Board’s statutory mission, including expected conduct of Board Members, maintenance of a 

quorum, and delegations of authority. 

III. Policy Statement 

The Board shall operate in a manner consistent with the notion of shared authority as 

envisioned by the Statute, cooperating to achieve the mission of the Agency in a manner outlined 

in the vision statement of the organization, and uphold Agency core values. 

The Board shall create and maintain Board Procedures to carry out its mission through 

notational voting of the Board. It shall be the policy of the Board that the Board Procedures be 

enacted through a unanimity of vote, where possible. If not possible, the majority of a quorum of 

the Board may enact Board Procedures, and the Board as a whole shall endeavor to follow those 

Board Procedures.

The Chairman shall execute his or her duties as outlined in the statute based on the 

policies set forth by the Board. In all cases, the Board Members shall be kept apprised of actions 

taken by the Chairman or the staff on their behalf. Equally, Board Members shall apprise the 

Chairman and other Board Members of information pertinent to the conduct and performance of 

the Agency. 

Board Members shall conduct themselves in a manner befitting their stature as 

Presidential appointees and, further, shall seek to uphold the Agency’s core values of excellence, 

independence, integrity and respect. 

Board Members shall endeavor to vote on all actions before the Board unless a conflict of 

interest exists or unless incapacitated.

Delegations of authority shall be made in accordance with Board procedures. 

Decisions of the Board shall be respected by the individual Board Members, regardless of 

their votes. In the event that any Board Member is speaking on behalf of the Board, he or she 

shall represent the views of the Board as a whole. In cases where a Board Member is asked to 

speak as an individual, or in carrying out their roles within public meetings or hearings, he or she 

should make it clear that the views expressed may not be representative of the Board as a whole.
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IV. Supporting Directives/Procedures

Board Procedures (TBD)

V. Responsibility for Implementation 

Board Members

VI. Monitoring and Compliance 

Board Policies should be reviewed on a tri-annual basis or when there is a turnover of a 

quorum of the Board. 

VII. Status

Approved on __July 2, 2020___.