42 U.S.C. 285a-2(b)(7), Section 413(b)(7) of the PHS Act, as amended. This Committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

STRUCTURE

The Committee shall consist of 15 members, including the Chair and Vice Chair appointed by the Director, NCI, who shall consider the advice of the Committee as to who should be selected. The members shall be consumer advocates who are involved in cancer advocacy and the cancer experience, and shall represent a constituency with which they communicate on a regular basis.

Members shall be invited to serve for overlapping terms of up to four years. A member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office.

As necessary, standing and ad hoc subcommittees, composed of members of the parent Committee may be established to perform specific functions within the Committee's jurisdiction. The Department Committee Management Officer shall be notified upon establishment of each standing subcommittee and shall be given information on its name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.

Upon approval by the Chair or Vice Chair, the advice of a subcommittee shall be considered the advice of the Committee.

A member of one subcommittee may serve as a voting member of other subcommittees when that member's expertise is required. However, that member shall not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum.

A quorum for the conduct of business by the full Committee shall consist of a majority of currently appointed members. A quorum for the conduct of each subcommittee shall also consist of a majority of currently appointed members.

Management and support services shall be provided by the Office of the Director, NCI, who shall also appoint an Executive Secretary.

FUNCTION

The Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Director, NCI, from the perspective and viewpoint of cancer consumer advocates on a wide variety of issues, programs and research priorities. The Committee shall serve as a channel for consumer advocates to voice their views and concerns.

As necessary, the Committee may assemble ad hoc working groups; convene conferences, workshops, or other activities; and seek advice from special consultants.

MEETINGS

Meetings of the full Committee shall be held not less than two times a year, at the call of the Chair, with the advance approval of a Government official who shall also approve the agenda. A Government official shall be present at all meetings of the Committee and its subcommittees.

Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public.

Meetings shall be conducted and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and Departmental policies.