About National Council of Chief Executive Officers

The NCCEO is composed of designated IHS Chief Executive Officers (CEO), Tribal Health Program Directors, and Urban Indian Health Program Directors.

General Membership

The NCCEO membership includes all IHS CEOs, Tribal Health Program Directors, and Urban Indian Health Program Directors. General members receive updates and information from the NCCEO Executive Committee on a recurring basis. General members may attend meetings, volunteer time, and serve functions within the NCCEO as requested or appointed, but have no chartered duties or responsibilities.

Executive Committee

The NCCEO Executive Committee consists of the NCCEO Chairperson, NCCEO Vice Chairperson, NCCEO Secretary, Deputy Director of Management Operations (IHS) and up to thirty-six Area representatives, three from each IHS Area.

Three Area representatives are designated by each Area Director, with generally on CEO appointed to represent IHS programs; one CEO or Health Director appointed to represent Tribal programs; and one CEO or Health Director appointed to represent Urban Indian Health programs. However, representative designation in Areas that lack and IHS, Tribal, or Urban (I/T/U) program is left to the discretion of the Area Director(s) to appoint Area representatives in a manner that ensures fair and inclusive involvement on the NCCEO.

Elections for NCCEO Officer Positions.

1. The NCCEO Chairperson term is every 2 years and is alternated with the NCCEO Vice Chairperson.
2. The NCCEO Vice Chairperson term is every 2 years and is alternated with the NCCEO Chairperson.
3. The NCCEO Secretary’s term is 1 year.

If an Officers position(s) becomes available during the appointment term, the highest ranking NCCEO Executive Committee member will call for nominations, vote by majority vote for another Executive Committee member and fill the available position for the remainder of the unexpired term(s) within 45 days of a vacated position.

Relationships

To the IHS Director. The NCCEO Chairperson (or designated alternate) will serve as the formal council representative to the IHS Director and communicate concerns and recommendations as directed by the NCCEO Executive Committee.

To other Chartered National IHS Professional Councils. The NCCEO will coordinate and communicate with the Council of Chief Medical Officers (CCMO), the Executive Committee of the National Council of Clinical Directors (NCCD), The Executive Committee of the National Nurse Leadership Council (NNLC), and the National Council of Executive Officers (NCEO) on program issues, action items, or policies of mutual concern.

To Other Established I/T/U Entities and Groups. The NCCEO may be asked to participate with other councils, Tribal and Urban Indian Health Program boards, Headquarters Offices, or workgroups as directed by the IHS Director or as needed to fulfill NCCEO obligations.

Responsibilities

Executive Committee. It is the responsibility of the NCCEO Executive Committee to:

1. attend and participate in monthly, national and combined council meetings.
2. participate in setting the Agency’s strategic action agenda.
3. ensure NCCEO members understand the mission of IHS as well as the current national strategy(s) for achieving that mission.
4. promote common understanding and implementation of the current Agency priorities, initiatives, and/or direction at a local level.
5. recommend policy proposals to the IHS Director in matters that directly affect I/T/Us.
6. contribute to the development of agendas for general, annual, and special meetings of the NCCEO.
7. advocate and act on specific concerns of its membership in a professional and appropriate manner;
8. support and promote all of the President's, Department's, and IHS's initiatives.
9. develop and maintain an up-to-date list of all I/T/U CEOs/Health Directors in their respective Areas and communicate this list to the NCCEO Secretary.
10. schedule and hold regular monthly communication with their Area constituencies and the Executive Committee.
11. contribute to the development, support and advocacy of ongoing systems for recruitment, training and development, retention, succession planning, and recognition of professional CEOs/Health Directors.
12. promote performance improvement and organizational development through effective leadership and management in support of health services delivery.
13. promote activities and services that are culturally appropriate in raising the health status of American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Chairperson. It is the critical responsibility of the NCCEO Chairperson to:

1. ensure the NCCEO has appropriate access to the IHS Director and key management staff.
2. keep the NCCEO informed of decisions on NCCEO concerns made by the IHS Director.
3. preside over monthly conference calls.
4. preside over any meetings held in person, by telephone, or through video conference.
5. establish and activate ad hoc committees to research and report on specific NCCEO concerns.
6. be responsible for assigning tasks to and the coordinating reports for members of the Executive Committee.
7. develop and present position statements and recommendations to the Executive Committee for approval.
8. represent the position(s) of the NCCEO at IHS Leadership meetings or other meetings as required.

Vice Chairperson. It is the critical responsibility of the NCCEO Vice Chairperson to:

1. assume the duties of the NCCEO Chairperson in the event of his orher absence.
2. serve in any capacity as directed by the NCCEO Chairperson or the Executive Committee.

Secretary. It is the critical responsibility of the NCCEO Secretary to:

1. assume the duties of the NCCEO Chairperson in the event of his or her absence and the absence of the NCCEO Vice-Chairperson.
2. coordinate the preparation of monthly meeting agendas and communicate information to the NCCEO Executive committee.
3. record, maintain, and distribute meeting minutes to the NCCEO Executive Committee.
4. serve as directed by the NCCEO Chairperson, NCCEO Vice-Chairperson, or the Executive Committee.