Viewing page 82 of 272

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-66-

[[underlined]]Proposed Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution[[/underlined]] 

Mr. Webb reported that the board has had a number of discussions concerning the recommendation of the Surveys and Investigation Staff report that "the Regents publish a set of bylaws that contain specific thresholds for management direction..." Mr. Webb said he thought it fair to say that the people who have spent the most time on behalf of the Regents in connection with the program of the Institution have not felt any strong need for bylaws. It appears that the basic statutes of the Institution clearly spell out the responsibilities of the Board of Regents and also reflect the executive responsibility delegated to the Secretary for operating the Institution. Mr. Webb believes that much progress has been made with the five-year perspective, with the consolidated federal and nonappropriated funds budget, and with the effort to inventory all of our collections, which is a mammoth undertaking. However, a number of studies have been made which will result in a preliminary draft of bylaws similar to those used by most corporations to indicate the relationship between the Board of Regents, the Secretary, the executive staff, etc. When next year's programs and budget are presented to the Congress, we could have a draft of bylaws for discussion.
 
An outline of the proposed bylaws was submitted to the Regents for consideration, and the Executive Committee invited comments and views on matters the Executive Committee might consider in its review. The outline and the statutory authority of the Smithsonian Institution follow.