CHARTER - U.S. Geological Survey Information Systems Steering Committee

1. Purpose.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Information Systems Steering Committee (ISSC or “Committee”) acts on behalf of the Director of the USGS to lead bureauwide Information Systems Innovation (ISI). ISI is defined as the effort to improve the quality of and access to information about USGS science projects. Long-term goals include creating a user-friendly, modular query tool that accesses reliable, authoritative information; developing and enforcing data standards; and providing multi-year planning and budgeting capabilities.

2. Roles and Responsibilities.

A. Information Systems Steering Committee. The ISSC is authorized to decide on the direction of ISI and steer the efforts of related workgroups and subcommittees, propose bureauwide ISI-related policy, and direct efforts and resources (with concurrence of responsible offices) to achieve ISI goals. The ISSC is responsible for:
(1) Guiding the ISI effort through executive oversight of the Configuration Management Committee (CMC);
(2) Ensuring ISSC decisions and ISI activities comply with applicable Bureau, Agency and Government-wide information management and security policies and regulations; 
(3) Reviewing and acting on recommendations of the CMC regarding ISI direction, related policy, and resource needs;
(4) Communicating significant accomplishments, issues and solutions to the Director and Deputy Director of the USGS and Executive Leadership Team (ELT);
(5) Meeting at least semi-annually with the CMC co-chairs and maintaining meeting minutes; 
(6) Fostering ISI progress and “buy-in” by keeping USGS employees abreast of the effort’s purpose and progress; and
(7) Identifying, documenting and communicating emerging issues for resolution.

B. Deputy Director. TheDeputy Director of the USGS is responsible for: 
(1) Selecting an ISSC Chair from among the three permanent members; and
(2) Appointing rotating (2-year renewable) members at his/her discretion.

C. Chair. The Chair is responsible for:
(1) Providing staff support and continuity to the team through their organization;
(2) Appointing a Co-chair;
(3) Coordinating and leading meetings; and
(4) Ensuring decisions are documented and implemented.

D. Co-chair. The Co-chair is responsible for assuming the roles of the Chair if the Chair cannot attend a meeting.

E. Members. Members are responsible for choosing alternate representatives authorized to vote by proxy, if they will be absent.

3. Representation.

A. Membership. Membership of the Committee consists of ELT members, all with full voting rights: (1) Associate Director for Administration (permanent); (2) Associate Director for Budget, Planning, and Integration (permanent); (3) Chief, Office of Enterprise Information/Associate Chief Information Officer (permanent); (4) Two members of the USGS Senior Leadership (rotating).

B. Resignation and Replacement. 
(1) Any member may voluntarily resign their duties by submitting their written resignation to the Co-chair of the Committee.
(2) If a member is replaced during their term, the replacement will serve the remainder of the term for the member being replaced.

C. Majority Action. The act of the majority of members will be the act of the Committee. The minimum number of Committee members for a quorum is three. A quorum has the same authority as the full Committee.

4. Issuance and Expiration Dates. This charter becomes effective when signed by the Director of the USGS and may be revised by Committee majority vote with approval of the Director of the USGS. If not revised, this charter may be retained until superseded by a new charter.

/s/ Jim Reilly
___________________________________                        August 20, 2018
Jim Reilly                                                                               Date
Director