National Area Health Education Center Organization (NAO)

Connecting students to careers,
professionals to communities,
and communities to better health.

COMMITTEE OVERVIEW

There are 10 standing committees of the NAO Board (Committee on Research and
Evaluation, Communications, Conference Planning, Education, Executive, External
Relations, Fund Development, Membership, Nominating, and Public Policy) and the
AHEC Bulletin Editorial Board.

Typically, each standing committee is co-chaired by a member of the Program Director
Constituency Group (PDCG) and a member of the Center Director Constituency Group
(CDCG). Each committee shall have a minimum of three members, at least one of whom
is a current member of the Board of Directors and serves as liaison to the Board.
Committee members are staff or board members of NAO organizational members,
Individual members, or student members in good standing. Committee work is generally
conducted by regularly scheduled monthly or every other month conference calls
supported by the NAO. Work groups or task forces may also be established within
committees, depending on need.

SYNOPSIS OF COMMITTEES

Committee on Research and Evaluation (CORE) – establishes a standard set of evaluation
measures for the NAO network, develops an Annual NAO report, conducts research on
new models of evaluation measures for NAO, provides recommendations to the Board
relative to the federal reporting requirements, and provides technical assistance to NAO
members to facilitate the practice of rigorous examination and evaluation of the
effectiveness of their individual programs.

Communications Committee - charged with all aspects of NAO internal and external communication strategies, including development, planning, and implementation of activities that promote the visibility and understanding of NAO and the AHEC/HETC programs; development of marketing and educational materials related to NAO and the AHEC/HETC mission; and offering recommendations regarding communications policies and activities.

Conference Planning – charged with conference planning for biennial national workshops and annual policy/leadership conferences. This includes planning theme/content/tracks and solicitation/review/selection of abstracts/proposals for presentation. The committee works collaboratively with selected management company for conference logistics, including site selection.

Education Committee – aids in the development and implementation of ongoing
educational programs for NAO and its members including planning and conducting New
Director Orientation sessions, leadership development, and providing K-12 program
expertise to the AHEC Network.

Executive Committee - shall act for the Board between meetings of the Board, but cannot
modify any action taken by the Board. All actions of the Executive Committee are
subject to review by the Board at its next meeting. Members consist of the President (who
chairs the Executive Committee), President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate
Past President.

External Relations - develops guidelines and principles for prioritizing external relations
and develops systems and tools for managing and evaluating external relations
operations. The committee is composed of two separate subcommittees: 1) Liaison
subcommittee (which identifies NAO member linkages to organizations; establishes and
maintains liaison with organizations; and identifies potential areas for collaboration); and
2) Collaborative Initiatives subcommittee (which conducts an annual environmental scan;
develops and maintains collaborative initiatives, and oversees collaborative initiative
work groups that may form as a result).

Fund Development Committee – charged with identifying funding and development
opportunities that relate to the AHEC/HETC mission and soliciting funding from
identified and approved sources to help support the work of the NAO.

Membership Committee – plans, oversees and evaluates NAO membership services and
issues in an effort to maintain a diverse, comprehensive membership of Programs,
Centers, associates and individuals who support NAO activities. The committee expands
membership through recruitment efforts and determines membership categories and dues
structure.

Nominating Committee - members of this committee are appointed by the President and include the Past President and three other members reflective of each constituency group. The immediate Past President shall Chair the Nominating Committee. The nominating committee develops an annual slate of Officers for the Board of Directors.

Public Policy Committee - responsible for advising the Board and membership on federal legislative and policy issues, ensuring that the views and perspectives of the AHEC and HETC community are heard in all appropriate federal legislative and regulatory venues, and ensuring that the membership possesses the knowledge and skills to advocate on behalf of AHEC and HETC.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

Awards Committee – responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive awards program for the NAO. This committee is appointed every two years to review and refine criteria for awards of excellence for AHEC Programs and Centers and HETC Programs and oversees the process leading up to and including the presentation of awards at the awards ceremony at the biennial National AHEC Workshop.

AHEC BULLETIN EDITORIAL BOARD - oversees publication of the National AHEC Bulletin on behalf of the NAO. The Editorial Board determines the theme of each issue, solicits articles, composes and produces the two issues of the Bulletin each year. At least ten and not more than fifteen members comprise the Editorial Board who serve a four-year term renewable for up to two additional terms. The three Co-chairs of the Editorial Board are elected by current Editorial Board members, subject to confirmation by the NAO Board. Work of the Editorial Board is typically done via monthly conference calls as well as two face-to-face meetings each year.

NAO Board

Bylaws Committee

Center Directors Consitutency Group (CDCG)

Committee on Research & Evaluation (CORE)

Communications Committee

Conference Planning Committee

NAO Bulletin Editorial Board

Nominating Committee

PDCG Program Directors Constituency Group (PDCG)

Public Policy Committee