By Sally Irvin & Lisa Rosenfield
The Public Member: Definitions & Descriptions
Sally Irvin, MA, M.ED
There are various definitions and descriptions of a public member on a board, but two of the most complete examples are from the Institute of Credentialing Excellence. The definition from their Certification Services Council’s Governing Charter indicates that “the Public Member’s role is to champion the public or consumer interest, bring forward new ideas and goals, contribute an unbiased perspective, encourage consumer-oriented positions, and bring additional public accountability and responsiveness.”[1]
The definition from their “What is a Public Member” section states that the public member is “a representative of the consumers of services provided by a credentialed population who serves as a voting member on the credentialing body with all rights and privileges, including holding office and serving on committees. The public member should bring a perspective to the decision and policymaking of the organization that is different from that of credentialed individuals and should help to balance the organization’s role in protecting the public while advancing the interests of the profession.”2
The Public Member: Perspectives & Contributions
Lisa Rosenfield, MA
Although the American Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation standards require boards to have at least one public member, accreditation requirements aren’t the only reason for public member inclusion on a board. Since boards are often comprised of individuals within a specific profession, a public member brings additional expertise to a board.
The public perspective outside of the profession is critical for promoting inclusiveness and equity. A public member may have external connections with many different types of people and organizations outside of the profession. A public member can champion public and consumer interest on the board. A public member with expertise in specific areas can also help to fill gaps in expertise among the existing board composition.
Reflecting about what a public member might expect from the board can effectively incorporate the varied perspectives of a public member into the board’s decision making. Considering the public impact of the board’s actions can also help a board fully utilize the contributions of a public member. As part of an effort to make public member input a part of their business processes, a board can cultivate, develop, highlight, and sustain public member involvement by engaging in the following activities:
- create bylaws and policies which require a public member on every board committee
- incorporate a “Public Member Report” into each meeting agenda
- host an “Information for the Public” page on the website to keep consumers informed about the work of the board
- post information about the value of the organization’s offerings to the consumer
- incorporate ways to keep the board responsive to the public
- adopt consumer-orientated positions, even if there is resistance within the profession.
The Public Member: The CCI Board of Directors
Since members of the public are both patients and consumers, a public member’s job on the CCI Board of Directors is to champion the publics’ interest. At the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI), patient safety is at the heart of the organization’s vision and mission. This commitment is reflected by the inclusion of each public member as a full and equal voting member of the CCI Board of Directors. The CCI Public Member is a non-RN member of the public who brings the consumer’s perspective to the board’s dialogue, deliberations and decision making.
CCI also believes that by meeting a defined set of requirements, a candidate will be able to clearly demonstrate the desired competencies for CCI leaders. Therefore, to be considered for a Public Member position on the CCI Board of Directors, candidates must hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree and possess previous experience in senior level business, community or professional leadership role(s). Additionally, in the interest of creating and maintaining a well-balanced board, candidates may be considered if they have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- experience as national professional committee chair
- experience leading work groups and teams
- membership in community project committee
- governance experience (paid or volunteer) on a private, public or community board
- experience with budgets, business investments or financial planning and statements
- business or entrepreneurial experience, or a background with new business ventures
- experience with health care media, public relations or marketing.
CCI’s Public Members serve an initial three-year term, with an option to renew their board service for an additional three-year term. They are members of a variety of board committees and their committee assignments typically change yearly. They are also required to sign a public member declaration form, along with a conflict of interest form and non-disclosure agreement.
The Public Member: An Essential Viewpoint
Since the public member adds a wealth of value to a board, the board and public member relationship should reflect reciprocity. The board needs the perspective of the public member to identify what the public understands and expects from the profession. And the public member needs the board to provide a platform for input and perspectives.
As the board seeks to advance a profession, it must also seek to balance the perspectives of both the board and the public member. This is particularly important when the product offered by the organization can offer a solution to public issues and concerns.
– Sally Irvin, MA, M.ED, serves as a Public Member of the Board of CCI, the Competency & Credentialing Institute. She is currently Associate Director of Faculty Services for the Wake Forest Law School Law Library and is a Professor of Legal Research.
– Lisa Rosenfield, MA, works in the area of Special Projects and Partnerships at the Competency and Credentialing Institute. Her scope of work includes designing, implementing, and managing organizational-wide initiatives and signature programs. She also develops, cultivates, and maintains external partnerships. She holds a BS in Human Development and an MA in Educational Administration, Supervision, and Curriculum.
1 https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Portals/0/Docs/I_C_E_%20Certification%20Services%20Council%20Charter_8_25_21.pdf?ver=0oBeXE3svooi4t0GYY6GKg%3D%3D
2 https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Membership/Public-Members
Sources
https://absnc.org/
https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/About
https://www.cc-institute.org/
