Charter of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
I. PURPOSE
The United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy appraises U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics.
II. AUTHORITY
The Advisory Commission was originally established under Section 604 of the United States Information and Exchange Act of 1948, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1469) and Section 8 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 2 of 1977. It was reauthorized pursuant to Public Law P.L. 110-21 (2007).
III. FUNCTIONS
The Commission:
A) Formulates and recommends to the President, the Secretary of State, and Members of Congress policies and programs to carry out the public diplomacy functions vested in the State Department, Broadcasting Board of Governors and other government entities.
B) Appraises the effectiveness of the public diplomacy policies and programs carried out by government agencies.
C) Submits reports to the Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State on public diplomacy programs and activities. These reports, based on on-site assessments and interviews with relevant personnel, include recommendations by the Commission concerning the role of public diplomacy in policy-making. The Commission's reports also include assessments of the degree to which the scholarly integrity and nonpolitical charter of the educational and cultural exchange activities vested in the State Department have been maintained, and assessment of attitudes of foreign scholars and governments regarding such activities.
D) Submits other reports to the Congress as it deems appropriate.
E) Makes reports available to the public in the United States and abroad to develop a better understanding of and support for public diplomacy programs.
IV. ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP
The Commission is a seven-member, bipartisan, presidentially-appointed panel. The President designates its chairperson. It has a paid staff of two -- an executive director and an administrative officer, supplemented, when available, by unpaid interns and other State Department personnel detailed to the Commission at no additional administrative or salary cost.
The Department of State, in consultation with the Chairperson, shall name a Designated Federal Official, who shall be a full-time or permanent part-time federal officer or employee. The DFO may serve as the executive director or the administrative officer, with the concurrence of the Department of State and the Chairperson.
V. OPERATIONS
A) Functions of the Designated Federal Official and the Chairman
The Designated Federal Official (or his or her designated representative) shall, in consultation with the Chairperson, call, attend, and adjourn meetings of the Advisory Commission, and ensure that minutes of meetings are kept and are certified within 90 days of the meeting to which they relate.
The Chairperson shall approve the Commission’s agenda, preside over meetings, certify the accuracy of minutes of meetings, and, in conjunction with the Designated Federal Official, provide for the maintenance and retention of Advisory Commission records as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
B) Operations of the Advisory Commission
The Advisory Commission may conduct studies, inquiries, and meetings, as it deems necessary. It may assemble and disseminate information and issue reports and other publications, subject to the approval of the Chairperson, in consultation with the Designated Federal Official. The Advisory Commission may undertake foreign travel in pursuit of its studies and coordinate, sponsor, or oversee projects, studies, events, or other activities that it deems desirable and necessary in fulfilling its functions.
C) Meetings of the Advisory Commission
The Commission as a whole meets approximately six times a year. All meetings of the Commission will be open to the public unless a determination has been made in accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act that a meeting or a portion of a meeting should be closed to the public. Timely notice of each Advisory Commission meeting, whether open or closed, shall be published in the Federal Register stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting, a summary of the expected agenda, whether the meeting is open or closed, and the name and contact information of a designated federal employee for members of the public to contact.
D) Records of the Advisory Commission
The Advisory Commission's records will consist of all papers, documents, and other materials pertinent to its establishment and activities, including its charter, agendas of meetings, determinations for closed meetings, transcript, reports, and all documents related to these proceedings, including working papers, drafts, studies, or other documents related to these proceedings. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying to the extent required by the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552. These records shall be maintained by the Advisory Commission for the term of its operations and shall be deposited with the Department of State upon the termination of the Commission.
E) Minutes of Meetings
Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of the Advisory Commission, and shall include a record of Advisory Commission members and staff, Government employees, and participating members of the public present, a complete and accurate summary description of matters discussed and conclusions reached, and copies of all reports received, issued, or approved by the Advisory Commission. The Chairman (or his or her designated representative) shall certify the accuracy of the minutes.
F) Public Participation
At any meeting of the Advisory Commission open to the public, but not closed meetings, interested persons shall be permitted to attend and, at the discretion of the Chairman, make an appearance before the Advisory Commission.
VI. COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION
Members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
VII. FUNDING
The Commission's estimated annual operating cost is approximately $280,000.
VIII. TERMINATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION
The charter of the Commission shall expire two years from the date that this charter is filed, unless it is renewed or extended by appropriate action prior to that date. The Commission shall not exist and operate beyond October 1, 2009 unless reauthorized by Congress.
IX. FILING OF CHARTER
The Advisory Commission shall not meet or take any action until this charter has been filed with the standing Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over the Department of State. Copies of this Charter shall be furnished to:
1) Advisory Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, Washington, DC; and
2) Federal Advisory Committee Desk, Federal Documents Section, Exchanges and Gift Division, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and filed this charter on behalf of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.
| ________________________________ | ______________ |
| Henrietta Fore Under Secretary for Management |
Date |
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