ML21034A529
| ML21034A529 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/02/2020 |
| From: | Matthew Sunseri Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | |
| Burkhart L, ACRS/TSB | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML21034A526 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML21034A529 (2) | |
Text
ACRS Chairmans Expectations for Meeting Behaviors 1
May 2, 2020 Colleagues, As we approach our fourth Full Committee meeting under my chairmanship, I realize that I need to share with you my expectations for professional behavior during meetings. This is a practice that I normally do in support of leading a new group, and I am remiss for not doing this earlier in my term. My expectations support our Bylaws and apply to members, ACRS staff, NRC staff, applicants, licensees and members of the public. There are many expressed expectations in sections 1.0, 9.0 and 10.0 of our Bylaws that we need to follow in all our work. Our Bylaws, in part, state:
Members (who are appointed as Special Government Employees) are expected to conform to all Federal regulations applicable thereto, as well as to the relevant NRC rules and regulations. They are also expected to meet the highest professional standards of integrity, as well as competence.
And The Chairman has both the authority and the responsibility to maintain order and decorum and may recess the meeting until a later time if these are threatened. The Chairman may also request the ejection of any person who ignores warnings and continues to address subjects not under discussion by the Committee, or who otherwise interferes with the orderly conduct of Committee business.
The terms professional standards and decorum are the specific items that I want to clarify with my expectations.
I expect that individuals will be treated with respect meaning:
We dont attack individuals for their views, we engage the issue.
We dont use profanity directed at an individual or their views.
We dont make derogatory remarks or insults to individuals.
We allow individuals to freely express their views and not cut them off while speaking.
I expect that we uphold the professional reputation of the ACRS meaning:
We use facts and verifiable information to make our points.
We focus on issues and not the individual or organization that is presenting issues.
We strive to be collegial while expressing our diverse opinions.
We use the process of adding comments to ACRS reports as a privilege and not a leverage tool.
ACRS Chairmans Expectations for Meeting Behaviors 2
During our meetings, I will be monitoring all participants for meeting these expectations and will use the authority vested in me by our Bylaws to enforce proper standards as follows:
Anyone is subject to dropping their guard momentarily during an intense discussion and this does not warrant a strong response, so I will call attention to the behavior and monitor for self-correction.
Anyone repeatedly demonstrating poor performance will be verbally reminded to correct the specific grievance or be excluded from the deliberation.
Anyone continuing to demonstrate poor performance following a verbal reminder will be cut-off from the deliberation. This could be accomplished by removal from the meeting room, muting of the individuals microphone or exclusion from the virtual/physical meeting room.
Individuals cut-off from deliberations will be allowed back in after they have convinced me that the performance issue has been corrected.
These enforcement practices will not be used to suppress expression of a safety issue or concern.
Lastly, I ask for your support that you dont rely completely on me to enforce these expectations.
Anyone should feel free to speak up if you think these expectations for professionalism and decorum are not being met. I expect that the Vice Chairman and Member-at-Large will hold me accountable to these standards as well.
Please contact me should you have any questions or comments regarding this matter.
Sincerely, Matthew W. Sunseri