Difference between revisions of "2012 Proposed Bylaw Changes"

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<small>[[Main_Page|Main ESIP page]] >>[[Constitution_and_Bylaws| Main C&B page]]</small> <br>
 
'''''Discuss and vote''' on the following three proposed Bylaw changes at the Winter 2012 ESIP Meeting:''
 
'''''Discuss and vote''' on the following three proposed Bylaw changes at the Winter 2012 ESIP Meeting:''
  
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==January 2012 Bylaw Change Proposal==
  
'''1. Change Type 3 Member Definition'''
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==='''1. Change Type 3 Member Definition'''===
  
 
Category 3 ESIPs shall be engaged principally in the <s>development and provision of Earth science applications.</s>development, use or dissemination of Earth science information and applications for the purpose of commercial use, decision support, outreach, advocacy, or education.
 
Category 3 ESIPs shall be engaged principally in the <s>development and provision of Earth science applications.</s>development, use or dissemination of Earth science information and applications for the purpose of commercial use, decision support, outreach, advocacy, or education.
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'''2. Define replacement criteria for binding resolutions'''
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==='''2. Define replacement criteria for binding resolutions'''===
  
 
Add II.2.7: Any resolution imposing a binding requirement on any ESIP shall require a two-thirds approval vote of the Assembly for passage.
 
Add II.2.7: Any resolution imposing a binding requirement on any ESIP shall require a two-thirds approval vote of the Assembly for passage.
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'''3. Add new Data Stewardship Committee''' [proposed name amended and adopted]
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==='''3. Add new Data Stewardship Committee''' [proposed name amended and adopted]===
  
 
Add VI.4.1: The ESIP Federation shall include a Standing Committee for Data Stewardship. Its roles are:
 
Add VI.4.1: The ESIP Federation shall include a Standing Committee for Data Stewardship. Its roles are:
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<span id="membership"></span>'''''Discuss''' and refine the following proposals at a Breakfast session at the Winter Meeting, but vote upon them at a later date.''
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<span id="membership"></span>'''''Discuss''' and refine the following proposals at a Breakfast session at the 2012 Summer Meeting, but vote upon them at a later date.''
 
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==Proposed Membership Structure Changes==
  
<center>'''Proposed Membership Structure Changes'''</center>
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==='''Continuing Challenges to be Addressed Through C & B Recommended Changes'''===
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#Ongoing difficulty with quorums at annual business meeting. Dealt with partially through changing the definition of a quorum, but still a concern; slows down business meetings.
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#Related to the first bullet, a number or ESIP organizations are inactive (e.g. defunct or unfunded) and cannot be removed from membership list. Constitution is vague on how to remove members.
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#There is a recognition of a potential need to clarify level of engagement for a 'Sponsor (Type 4) to reflect their level of support.
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#Suggestions have arisen to create additional membership categories to more fully represent breadth of members as well as to support other types of engagement.
  
'''Continuing Challenges to be Addressed Through C & B Recommended Changes'''
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==='''Proposed Solutions'''===
#Ongoing difficulty with quorums at annual business meeting. Dealt with partially through changing the definition of a quorum, but still an issue.
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====Challenge 1 & 2: Quorum and Inactive Members====
#Related to the first bullet, a number or ESIP organizations are inactive (e.g. defunct or unfunded) and cannot be removed from membership list.
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*A member organization which does not register and participate in two consecutive meetings shall be moved to inactive status; participation shall include participation in a business meeting or other voting opportunity such as a partnership election.
#Suggestions have arisen to create some additional membership categories to more fully represent breadth of members as well as to support other types of engagement.
 
#There is a recognition of a potential need to have membership levels for strategic partners to reflect their levels of support.
 
 
 
'''Proposed Solutions'''
 
Inactive Members
 
*A member organization who does not participate in two consecutive meetings shall be moved to inactive status. (business meetings, ESIP meetings, telecons?)
 
 
**Members who are moved to inactive status will not be counted towards quorum or other voting requirements.
 
**Members who are moved to inactive status will not be counted towards quorum or other voting requirements.
 
**An inactive member will remain on the inactive list for one year from the time they were placed on the list. After one year, the inactive member organization will be moved to a list of former ESIP partners.
 
**An inactive member will remain on the inactive list for one year from the time they were placed on the list. After one year, the inactive member organization will be moved to a list of former ESIP partners.
  
Strategic Partner Tiers [DRAFT]
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====Sponsors (DRAFT)====
*Strategic Partners contribute at different levels. This will be recognized by designating strategic partners as either bronze, silver, gold, or platinum.
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Challenge 3: Not all sponsor organizations contribute monetarily.
**Bronze members will contribute monetary or in kind contributions between up to $99,999
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*Sponsors contribute at different levels, in different ways.
**Silver members will contribute monetary or in kind contributions valued between $100,000 and $499,999
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**Gold members will contribute monetary or in kind contributions valued between $500,000 and $999,999
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===='''New Member Types'''====
**Platinum members will contribute monetary or in kind contributions over $1 million.
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Challenge 4: New Member Types
*Strategic partners (past sponsors) who are part of the Federation but do not contribute monetary or in kind contributions will be considered non-voting "Associate" members.
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*Redefine Type 5 as any multi-function or umbrella entity, not limited to funders (N.B.: January 2012 - Type 3 Definition amended to include data users)
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*Allow Individuals to join the Federation as an Associate Member.
  
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Rationale:
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There are ESIP members who are comprised of a number of other entities many of whom may also be ESIP members.
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Individuals participate in ESIP via their member organizations. However, there may be individuals, such as graduate students or researchers not affiliated with a current member who may like to participate. Also would we charge?  I'd pay $20 a year to be an Associate Member so I can put it on my resume.  Would we offer any other group benefit?
  
'''What an Improved Membership Structure Can Support'''
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==='''What an Improved Membership Structure Can Support'''===
 
:Expectations of Being a Member
 
:Expectations of Being a Member
 
:New Member Types
 
:New Member Types
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::Some ESIPs become defunct after their funding ends. We currently have no method to remove them from membership list  
 
::Some ESIPs become defunct after their funding ends. We currently have no method to remove them from membership list  
  
'''New Member Types'''
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==='''Notes'''===
*Redefine Type 5 as data users
 
*Redefine Type 4 as any multi-function or umbrella entity, not limited to funders
 
**Funders identified through their Membership Tier
 
*Allow Individuals to join the Federation as an Associate Member.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'''Notes'''
 
 
:Executive Committee sets requirements to attain '''Full''' or '''Sustainer''' status, e.g. '''Full''' status requires paying for 2 Meeting registrations in the past year
 
:Executive Committee sets requirements to attain '''Full''' or '''Sustainer''' status, e.g. '''Full''' status requires paying for 2 Meeting registrations in the past year
 
:Data Users (Type 5) restricted to '''Associate''' status
 
:Data Users (Type 5) restricted to '''Associate''' status
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:'''Associate''' members can participate fully in ESIP activities, with the exception of Assembly voting.
 
:'''Associate''' members can participate fully in ESIP activities, with the exception of Assembly voting.
  
'''Impacts on Type Representation'''
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==='''Impacts on Type Representation'''===
 
:Type 4 and 5 gain full representation on Administrative Committees
 
:Type 4 and 5 gain full representation on Administrative Committees
 
:Type 4 reps provide Administrative perspective
 
:Type 4 reps provide Administrative perspective

Latest revision as of 12:10, April 29, 2013

Main ESIP page >> Main C&B page
Discuss and vote on the following three proposed Bylaw changes at the Winter 2012 ESIP Meeting:

January 2012 Bylaw Change Proposal

1. Change Type 3 Member Definition

Category 3 ESIPs shall be engaged principally in the development and provision of Earth science applications.development, use or dissemination of Earth science information and applications for the purpose of commercial use, decision support, outreach, advocacy, or education.

Comments: This proposed change has been amended based upon comments received at last year’s Winter Meeting.
Public Comments:


2. Define replacement criteria for binding resolutions

Add II.2.7: Any resolution imposing a binding requirement on any ESIP shall require a two-thirds approval vote of the Assembly for passage.

Comments: This proposed change replaces the original wording in which unanimous consent was required for resolutions that imposed requirements on its members.
Public Comments:


3. Add new Data Stewardship Committee [proposed name amended and adopted]

Add VI.4.1: The ESIP Federation shall include a Standing Committee for Data Stewardship. Its roles are:

a) To develop, evolve, foster, and adopt best practices and standards that ensure continued and reliable information content, quality, and usability of Earth system science data for as long as they are deemed to be of value.
b) To facilitate the long-term preservation and stewardship of Earth system science data.
c) To facilitate reference to and access to Earth system science data.
Comments: This proposed change effectively elevates the role of the Preservation and Stewardship Cluster to recognize its importance. The change also expands its scope to encompass data quality, metadata, and other data-specific topics. This Committee provides an analog to the Information Technology Committee for data-related issues. Committees can receive funding and make formal recommendations.
Public Comments:
I agree with everything about this except the proposed new name. "Data Science", as the term is commonly understood (see, for example, the Journal of Data Science, or Mike Loukides's "What is data science?") is quite outside the scope of the current P&C Cluster and proposed committee. "Data Stewardship" by itself covers all the roles noted in the proposal, except for those parts of "access" that are more properly the concern of IT&I. Frew 15:56, 19 December 2011 (MST)



Discuss and refine the following proposals at a Breakfast session at the 2012 Summer Meeting, but vote upon them at a later date.


Proposed Membership Structure Changes

Continuing Challenges to be Addressed Through C & B Recommended Changes

  1. Ongoing difficulty with quorums at annual business meeting. Dealt with partially through changing the definition of a quorum, but still a concern; slows down business meetings.
  2. Related to the first bullet, a number or ESIP organizations are inactive (e.g. defunct or unfunded) and cannot be removed from membership list. Constitution is vague on how to remove members.
  3. There is a recognition of a potential need to clarify level of engagement for a 'Sponsor (Type 4) to reflect their level of support.
  4. Suggestions have arisen to create additional membership categories to more fully represent breadth of members as well as to support other types of engagement.

Proposed Solutions

Challenge 1 & 2: Quorum and Inactive Members

  • A member organization which does not register and participate in two consecutive meetings shall be moved to inactive status; participation shall include participation in a business meeting or other voting opportunity such as a partnership election.
    • Members who are moved to inactive status will not be counted towards quorum or other voting requirements.
    • An inactive member will remain on the inactive list for one year from the time they were placed on the list. After one year, the inactive member organization will be moved to a list of former ESIP partners.

Sponsors (DRAFT)

Challenge 3: Not all sponsor organizations contribute monetarily.

  • Sponsors contribute at different levels, in different ways.

New Member Types

Challenge 4: New Member Types

  • Redefine Type 5 as any multi-function or umbrella entity, not limited to funders (N.B.: January 2012 - Type 3 Definition amended to include data users)
  • Allow Individuals to join the Federation as an Associate Member.

Rationale: There are ESIP members who are comprised of a number of other entities many of whom may also be ESIP members. Individuals participate in ESIP via their member organizations. However, there may be individuals, such as graduate students or researchers not affiliated with a current member who may like to participate. Also would we charge? I'd pay $20 a year to be an Associate Member so I can put it on my resume. Would we offer any other group benefit?

What an Improved Membership Structure Can Support

Expectations of Being a Member
New Member Types
Individuals (including students and retirees)
Data Users (e.g. decision/policy makers; engagement for understanding context for data use, workflow, data formats, etc.)
Multi-function/comprehensive umbrella organizations/ consortiums
Easy Member Termination (i.e. inactive or defunct orgs)
Some ESIPs become defunct after their funding ends. We currently have no method to remove them from membership list

Notes

Executive Committee sets requirements to attain Full or Sustainer status, e.g. Full status requires paying for 2 Meeting registrations in the past year
Data Users (Type 5) restricted to Associate status
Associate memberships expire after specified period, e.g., 5 years
Associate members can participate fully in ESIP activities, with the exception of Assembly voting.

Impacts on Type Representation

Type 4 and 5 gain full representation on Administrative Committees
Type 4 reps provide Administrative perspective
Type 5 reps provide Data User perspective
Several existing and pending ESIPs may choose to switch to Type 4 status (USGS, NCAR, etc.)
Although Associate members cannot vote in the Assembly, they retain representation via their Type Representatives in Administrative Committees