Vision

Improving Mid-Continent Compliance Forum (MCCF) members’ NERC Reliability Standard Compliance Programs through the sharing of experiences, tools, and methods; and promoting best practices that help ensure the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System.

Purpose

The MCCF was developed exclusively as an educational resource for NERC Registered Entities in the Midwest Reliability Organization region who are facing mandatory reliability compliance.

The purpose of the MCCF is to:

Provide a forum for sharing knowledge, lessons learned and best practices regarding compliance matters.
Advocate consistency of NERC's Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program by advising relevant Regional Entities and NERC of possible inconsistent applications. Identify and address issues that may impact the ability of a Registered Entity to comply with NERC Reliability Standards.
Enhance Registered Entities’ understanding of useful tools and techniques to establish and demonstrate compliance with NERC Reliability Standards.
Share experiences in developing and implementing a successful compliance program.

Membership

Membership in MCCF is open to current employees and approved third parties of NERC Registered Entities in the Midwest Reliability Organization Region. A third party shall be approved by the Primary Compliance Contact at the member NERC Registered Entity. All membership requests will be validated and approved by the Steering Committee.

Structure and Operation

Steering Committee:

The MCCF Steering Committee (the Steering Committee or SC) is established to coordinate meetings, develop meeting agendas, and communicate on compliance matters and actions by MCCF members consistent with the purposes set forth in this Charter.

The Steering Committee shall be composed of up to twelve (12) representatives of NERC Registered Entities who are members of the MCCF. No Registered Entity shall have more than one (1) member on the Steering Committee. The term for each Steering Committee member is two (2) years, with no limit of total terms.

Steering Committee membership should include a variety of company ownership types, functions, and sizes to the extent possible. Candidates for Steering Committee membership may be either self-nominated or nominated by others, provided the nominating party is a current MCCF member. In case of a resignation, the departing committee member can recommend a successor from their company for the remainder of the term, to be approved by the majority of the Steering Committee. If a successor is not recommended, the Steering Committee shall request nominations from the MCCF membership. A membership vote to approve shall take place at the next Full Forum Meeting for the remainder of the term. In order to be eligible for election to an additional term, an incumbent Steering Committee member must be nominated prior to the election.

The Steering Committee shall be elected by vote, via ballot or voice, by MCCF member Registered Entities (one vote per Registered Entity, not per attendee or registered function).

MCCF Officers:

Steering Committee officers shall be elected at the first Steering Committee Meeting after the annual Steering Committee elections. MCCF Officers shall be nominated from the Steering Committee Membership and elected via majority vote by the MCCF Steering Committee. The newly elected officers will act as officers of both the Steering Committee and of the MCCF. The MCCF officers shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, each serving one-year terms.

Steering Committee Meetings:

Steering Committee members shall meet in person or via teleconference at least once per calendar quarter to fulfill its duties. A quorum, a minimum of half of the Steering Committee, must be present for voting or accepting a new motion.

Forum Meetings:

The MCCF shall meet at least two times per calendar year, the dates and times for which to be established by the Steering Committee. MCCF meetings are open forums for members, and all discussions are considered part of the public domain.

Voting:

All actions taken on behalf of the MCCF must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Steering Committee members. Steering Committee voting may include electronic voting, if needed, to determine a majority.

For each issue brought to a balloted vote among MCCF membership, a single representative from each member shall submit the ballot for that Registered Entity (one vote per Registered Entity, not per attendee or registered function).

Charter Updates

The Steering Committee shall update the Charter and create administrative policy as necessary with final approval by the majority of MCCF Registered Entities members.

Approved: May 26, 2009

Revised and Approved: June 10, 2011
Revised and Approved: December 8, 2015
Revised and Approved: November 15, 2018

MCCF Policies

MCCF Policy on Forum Presenters

To encourage the participation of MCCF members in presenting relevant and timely topics at regular Forum meetings, it is the stated policy of the MCCF Steering Committee to waive the registration fee for each member presenting or serving on a panel discussion at a Forum meeting.
Approved: December 8, 2015

Revised and Approved: November 15, 2018

MCCF Policy on Invited Guests

If the MCCF invites guests from non-member entities, the Steering Committee may, at its discretion, offer to provide pre-approved expense reimbursement incurred by the guest(s) for prudent travel expenses. An invited guest may include representatives of industry, NERC, FERC, etc.
Approved: November 15, 2018

MCCF Policy on Refund of Forum Registration Fees

Registrations will be accepted up to one week prior to the forum. Cancellations occurring on or before the close of registration will be refunded. No refunds for cancellations will be awarded after the close of registration.
Approved: December 8, 2015

Revised and Approved: November 15, 2018