Governance Committee

From Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)

Proposed Bylaw Changes

Strategy: i) Discuss at Summer 2011 Meeting (brief plenary presentation plus two breakout sessions). ii) Submit first six of nine items below for electronic vote following Summer Meeting. iii) At Winter 2012 Meeting, discuss remaining three items (plus any items not approved via electronic vote).

1. Remove antiquated text that does not reflect current ESIP practices

Delete I.1.3: Each ESIP may designate one voting Representative to each Standing Committee and each Working Group by submitting the name of the Representative to the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

Delete VI.1.4: Individuals from all ESIPs and from outside the Federation will be allowed to participate in any Working Group. However, only the designated ESIP Representative as described in Bylaw I can vote.

Delete IV.5.7: REASoN projects can submit their application through the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to the Assembly for a vote through a designated form on the ESIP Federation website...


Comments: These bylaws have no relevance to how we currently conduct business.



2. Reduce need for special elections

Modify IV.1.3: If any member of an Administrative Committee, other than the President or Vice President of the Executive Committee, leaves office before the end of the normal term, the Executive Committee shall appoint an interim member and an election shall be held at the next meeting of the Assembly to replace the member for the remainder of that term. the Executive Committee shall appoint an eligible replacement to serve out the remainder of that term.

Modify IV.1.5: In the event that the elected Chair of an Administrative Committee is unable to continue to execute the duties of that office, the Vice-Chair will assume the Chair for the duration of the elected term, and a special election shall be held to select a new Vice-Chair for the duration of the term of the Chair.the Executive Committee shall appoint an eligible replacement to serve out the remainder of that term.

Delete: IV.1.6 In the event that the elected Vice-Chair of an Administrative Committee is unable to continue to execute the duties of that office, a special election shall be held to select a new Vice-Chair for the duration of the term of the Chair.

Modify V.1.7: In the event that the elected Chair of a Standing Committee is unable to continue to execute the duties of that office, the Vice-Chair will assume the Chair for the duration of the elected term, and a special election shall be held to select a new Vice-Chair for the duration of the term of the Chair.the Executive Committee shall appoint an eligible replacement to serve out the remainder of that term.

Delete: V.1.8: In the event that the elected Vice-Chair of a Standing Committee is unable to continue to execute the duties of that office, a special election shall be held to select a new Vice-Chair for the duration of the term of the Chair.

Modify VI.1.7: In the event that the elected Chair of a Working Group is unable to continue to execcute the duties of that office, a special election shall be held to select a new Chairthe Executive Committee shall appoint an eligible replacement to serve out the remainder of that term.

(note: It is possible to combine IV.1.3, IV.1.5, V.1.7, and VI.1.7 into a single paragraph statement describing the common procedure for filling vacant positions. Similarly, it is possible to combine III.2.3, IV.1.4, and V.1.5 into a single common procedure for removing someone from office.)


Comments: These original bylaws made sense when the Federation was a much smaller entity. Now, as a larger volunteer organization, the Executive Committee can make temporary appointments without the need to involve the Assembly members.



3. Require closing date for distance voting

Add to Bylaw II.2.6: All elections carried out via distance methods shall include a closing date after which votes will no longer be accepted.


Comments: This change corrects an oversight that enables an election to continue open for years.



4. Reduce quorum requirements from 2/3 to 1/2

Modify II.2.2: In the case of resolutions brought up during meetings of the Assembly, a quorum for the Assembly is at least two-thirds one-half of the Representatives to the Assembly established by roll call at the beginning of each voting session of the Assembly.


Comments: We regularly have difficulties in achieving the 2/3 threshold. Roberts Rules of Order suggests a 1/2 threshold for volunteer organizations such as ours.



5. Remove dormant Committees

Delete V.4.1: The ESIP Federation shall include a Standing Committee for Community Engagement...

Delete V.5.1: The ESIP Federation shall include a Standing Committee for Commercial Development...


Comments: Each of these Committees has been inactive for many years. The role of the Community Engagement Committee has been largely taken over by the Federation Front Office. The role of Commercial Development is minimal due to the limited role that commercial entities play in the current Federation.



6. Change Type 3 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 change was prepared by the Partnership Committee and amended based upon comments received at the Winter Meeting.



7. Define replacement criteria for binding resolutions

Add II.2.7: Any resolution imposing a binding requirement on any ESIP shall require a 60% approval vote for passage. (or some larger percentage such as 2/3)


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



8. Replace Active/Inactive status with Full/Associate member status

Add I.8.1: All ESIPs shall be classified as either Full or Associate. Only Full members have representation and voting rights in the Assembly.

Add 1.8.2: A Category 1, Category 2, or Category 3 ESIP achieves Full status either by: a) paid participation in two ESIP Federation meeting during the previous calendar year or b) paying a membership fee equal to the cost of two paid meeting participations.

Add 1.8.3: All Category 4 ESIPs shall be Full members. All Category 5 ESIPs shall be Associate Members.

Modify I.2.2: Each Category 1 ESIP that is a Full Member must designate one Representative to the Assembly by submitting the name to the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committeea representative designated by the Executive Committee.

Modify I.3.2: Each Category 2 ESIP that is a Full Member must designate one Representative to the Assembly by submitting the name to the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committeea representative designated by the Executive Committee.

Modify I.4.2: Each 'Category 3 ESIP that is a Full Member must designate one Representative to the Assembly by submitting the name to the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committeea representative designated by the Executive Committee.


Comments: This change effectively sets up two membership tiers - Full (voting) members and Associate (non-voting members). Associate members can fully participate in all Federation activities, with the exception of voting. The criteria for achieving Full status is to pay for two Meeting attendances in the previous year (or write a check for the difference, as membership dues).



9. Add new Data Science/Life-Cycle Committee

Add VI.4.1: The ESIP Federation shall include a Standing Committee for Data Science/Life-Cycle. Its roles are:

a) To ensure continued and reliable access to, information content, quality, and usability of Earth science data for as long as they are deemed to be of value.


Comments: This change 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.



Defining Documents

Federation Constitution
Federation Bylaws
Other Federation Documents

Bylaw Changes Approved Jan 2011

Repeal of Bylaw II.2.7: Resolutions may not be made binding on any ESIP if they would lead to specific obligations on that ESIP without its specific agreement. All binding resolutions shall be by unanimous consent of the entire Assembly. If unanimous consent on a particular course of action cannot be achieved, then the Assembly may either explicitly endorse multiple alternatives, or may "demote" the resolution to non-binding status.


Change of Definition of Type 1 ESIP: Category 1 ESIPs shall be primarily distributors of remotely sensed and ground-based data sets, as well as standardized products derived from those data.

changed to:

Category 1 ESIPs shall be primarily stewards of Earth science and related data sets or its supporting information, as well as providers of standardized products derived from those data.

Procedures to Enact Bylaw Changes

Proposing Amendments

VIII.1.1 Any Representative of the Assembly of Representatives may propose an amendment to the Bylaws of the ESIP Federation.

VIII.1.2 Proposals shall be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee prior to any action on the proposed amendment and must be signed by at least three Representatives.

Acting on Proposals

VIII.2.1 The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall review the proposal and render an opinion as to its relationship to the Constitution and existing Bylaws.

VIII.2.2 The Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall announce the proposed amendment and the opinion of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to the Assembly prior to any action on the amendment by the Assembly.

VIII.2.3 The proposed amendment shall be debated either using electronic means or at a meeting of the Assembly.

VIII.2.4 The vote shall be by secret ballot. If two-thirds or more of the entire Assembly meeting in quorum vote in favor of the proposed amendment, or if two-thirds or more of all Representatives vote in favor of the proposed amendment using electronic means, it shall be adopted.

Procedures to Enact Constitution Changes

Proposing Amendments

IX.1.1 Any Representative of the Assembly may propose an amendment to the Constitution of the Federation of Earth Science Information Partners.

IX.1.2 Proposals shall be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee at least sixty days prior to any action on the proposed amendment and must contain endorsement of not less than one-fourth of the representatives of the Assembly.

Acting on Proposals

IX.2.1 The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall review the proposal and render an opinion as to its relationship to the Constitution.

IX.2.2 The Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall circulate the proposed amendment and the opinion of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to the full membership of the Assembly at least thirty days prior to any action on the amendment by the Assembly.

IX.2.3 The proposed amendment shall be debated at the next meeting of the Assembly.

IX.2.4 The vote shall be by secret ballot. If two-thirds or more of the entire Assembly vote in favor of the proposed amendment, it shall be adopted.

Constitution and Bylaws Committee Members

Rob Raskin, Chair
Brian Wee, Type 1 Rep
Mohan Ramamurthy, Type II Rep
Liping Di, Type III Rep

Calls for Nominations and Ballot Initiative

2011 Nominations and Ballot Supplemental
2010 Nominations and Ballot
2009 Nominations and Ballot
2007 Nominations and Ballot
October 2006 Constitution and Bylaws Vote