Organizational Structure
The affairs of NSAC are governed by the Organizational Council. Along with the NSAC Executive Director the Organizational Council establishes the NSAC mission, oversees strategic planning and development, evaluates NSAC’s effectiveness, and provides financial oversight and approval of the annual budget. The Organizational Council also approves membership applications to NSAC. Nominated and elected by both Represented and Participating Members, the Organizational Council members serve two year terms and meet at least bi-monthly.
The Grassroots Council
The Grassroots Council is responsible for NSAC’s grassroots communications and advocacy coordination functions. Nominated by Represented and Participating Members and approved by the Organizational Council, members of the Grassroots Council are responsible for developing strategies for grassroots capacity building, NSAC member training and leadership development. The Council also undertakes coordination of action alerts, media messaging and promoting diversity throughout NSAC’s work with outreach, training and other activities. The Grassroots Council meets frequently by conference call.
The Policy Council
Along with the NSAC Policy Director, the Policy Council is responsible for shaping NSAC policies and setting NSAC’s policy priorities. Annually, usually at the NSAC Winter meeting, the Policy Council approves NSAC’s policy positions and priorities. The Policy Council receives recommendations on NSAC priorities from each NSAC Issue Committee. The Policy Council may also approve the formation of new Issue Committees, or revisions or refinements to NSAC priorities or policies on an ongoing basis. Each Represented Member must designate one representative to serve on the Policy Council.
The Issue Committees are responsible for focused work on specific NSAC policy recommendations put forward annually to the Policy Council. The Issue Committees also develop strategies to advance the priorities and coordinate group to group and region to region. The Committee members undertake policy research and development, draft position papers, initiate rulemaking comment campaigns and work with federal agencies to advance NSAC policies and programs. Issue Committee participants may be representatives of Represented Members, Participating Members or Affiliated Regional Programs. Representatives of non-members may participate if approved by the Committee Chair or Co-Chairs. The Issue Committees have monthly conference calls and meet at both of NSAC’s annual face-to-face gatherings.
The current Policy Issue Committees are:
Research, Extension, and Education
Marketing, Food Systems, and Rural Development
Conservation, Energy, and Environment
Farming Opportunities and Fair Competition