Purpose

• NRA Industry Councils were established to more thoroughly engage and be responsive to the needs, concerns, and issues of each segment of the restaurant industry.
• Through the development of a Council structure, senior executives from specific segments within the restaurant industry can come together to discuss issues of common concern and provide feedback and input into the NRA public-policy and program development process.
• Each Industry Council (and its corresponding Advisory Group) provides guidance on issues of specific concern to their segment and assists in aligning their needs with the four NRA industry imperatives while working towards enhancing the member value proposition for companies within their segment.

Council Structure

• Each NRA Industry Council will consist of a Steering Committee which will function as the executive committee of the Council, providing direction and guidance for the Council throughout the year.
• Each Steering Committee will be composed of approximately 11-15 Council participants.
• Members of the Steering Committee will be selected by the committee in consultation with the Council staff representative and the NRA Chair and will serve a two year term.
• Should a vacancy occur on the Steering Committee an appointment will be made by the Council chair with approval of NRA chair.
• The Industry Council chair will be appointed by Chairman of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors for a term of one year following a calendar year schedule. Each Steering Committee will have the opportunity to recommend a Council chair for consideration.
• Steering Committees will attempt to work on a consensus basis and it is the responsibility of all Steering Committee members and participants to work with their members and the chair to develop consensus on all pertinent issues. In the event a vote is needed on a particular issue a majority vote of committee members present will determine the outcome.

Eligibility

• Any individual employed by a current NRA member company is eligible to participate in NRA Industry Councils.

Participation

• Because participation is so critical to membership, individuals participating on a Council should make every effort to become actively engaged.
• Council participation is ongoing and does not follow any specific term.
• The number of meetings annually, whether in person or by conference call, is determined by the work of the Council, in conjunction with the Council chair.
• An annual schedule of meetings will be prepared at the beginning of each year.

Council Work Groups

• Councils may, at the discretion of the chair and in consultation with their staff representative, constitute work groups to oversee or conduct certain projects relevant to the function of the council for a specified period of time.

Staff Representatives

• Each Council is assigned an NRA staff representative(s).
• These individuals work with the chair throughout the year to ensure that the Council is working to achieve its goals and objectives.
• The staff representatives are the focal point for information flow relating to the Council’s activities.
• A staff representative shall participate in all Council and Council Advisory Group meetings.

Antitrust Considerations

• Association policy is to comply fully with antitrust laws applicable to trade association activities. These Industry Council meetings, since they include Association members and are sponsored by the Association, are covered under the Association's antitrust policy. Each person who participates in these Council Work Group meetings has a responsibility to avoid any improper conduct from an antitrust standpoint. Council discussion in general should pertain to industry issues, industry development, and industry promotion, including product developments, "technical know-how," improving productivity and efficiency, historical market data on a general (non-specific company) basis, etc. To avoid any possible implications about restraint of trade or competition, the following subjects should be avoided:
• Future marketing plans of individual companies
• Complaints against or business plans of specific customers, specific suppliers, specific geographic markets or specific products
• Your or other companies' purchasing or business plans
• Current or future pricing plans, discount plans, credit plans, product costs, profit margins or terms of sale
• If an issue arises during any such meeting, discussion should be tabled until Association legal counsel can render advice.