{"action":"created","issue":{"url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/issues/1","repository_url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution","labels_url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/issues/1/labels{/name}","comments_url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/issues/1/comments","events_url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/issues/1/events","html_url":"https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/1","id":181403113,"number":1,"title":"2016 proposal to update the TDWG constitution","user":{"login":"peterdesmet","id":600993,"avatar_url":"https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/600993?v=3","gravatar_id":"","url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet","html_url":"https://github.com/peterdesmet","followers_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/followers","following_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/following{/other_user}","gists_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/gists{/gist_id}","starred_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/starred{/owner}{/repo}","subscriptions_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/subscriptions","organizations_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/orgs","repos_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/repos","events_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/events{/privacy}","received_events_url":"https://api.github.com/users/peterdesmet/received_events","type":"User","site_admin":false},"labels":[],"state":"open","locked":false,"assignee":null,"assignees":[],"milestone":null,"comments":1,"created_at":"2016-10-06T12:38:13Z","updated_at":"2016-11-12T01:12:55Z","closed_at":null,"pull_request":{"url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/pulls/1","html_url":"https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/1","diff_url":"https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/1.diff","patch_url":"https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/1.patch"},"body":"The TDWG executive committee proposes an update to the TDWG constitution. To keep track of what was changed exactly, the constitution is versioned here, on GitHub. The proposal was first presented for public comment on the TDWG website as a [pdf package](http://www.tdwg.org/about-tdwg/new-constitution/) on September 6, 2016. The final 2016 version - which is subject to voting by the TDWG community - is presented here on GitHub and supersedes the September 6, 2016 package.\r\n\r\n[Read the final 2016 proposal](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/blob/66a900d92ffeff17faa8a5bc8368b937940b155d/constitution.md)\r\n\r\n## Why a new constitution for TDWG?\r\n\r\nIn 2015 The TDWG Executive Committee commissioned a team of TDWG members to propose changes that would:\r\n\r\n- improve operational effectiveness of the Executive Committee  \r\n- improve the level of engagement of TDWG membership in driving key parts of the organisation  \r\n- improve the capacity of the Executive Committee to address complex and diverse issues.  \r\n\r\nIn parallel, consultants were enlisted to help us prepare TDWG's application for non-profit status in the United States. Our consultants identified things that needed to be added to make TDWG comply as a non-profit organization. Those changes were finalized on 10 November and incorporated into the final proposed version. These changes were deemed necessary, but render the [package of 6 September 2016](http://www.tdwg.org/about-tdwg/new-constitution/) obsolete.\r\n\r\n## Where can I see the changes?\r\n\r\n* [Original constitution vs final 2016 proposal](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/1/files?short_path=26f07ab#diff-26f07ab58c6acb6da1a3d79f4c13125d)\r\n* [Most recent changes for non-profit status (only)](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/5/files?short_path=26f07ab#diff-26f07ab58c6acb6da1a3d79f4c13125d)\r\n\r\n## How do I vote on the here suggested proposal?\r\n\r\nThe vote will take place online via SurveyMonkey. Members in good standing will receive a unique link to their ballot on 11 November, 2016. Votes may be cast at any time, but must be registered no later than 11 December (2016-12-11 23:59 UTC-6) when the poll will close.  Majorities of both individual and institutional members must approve the proposal for the new Constitution to be adopted.\r\n\r\n## Can I still give feedback?\r\n\r\nThe time for comments that can be incorporated into the proposal has passed. Content must be frozen so that members know precisely what they are voting on. The only changes that can be incorporated now will be to correct any format and syntax errors and *don't change the intended meaning of the text*. We still welcome feedback, however, and your opinions could influence the way other members cast their vote.  \r\n\r\n- [View existing issues](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/issues/)\r\n- [Open an issue](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/issues/new)\r\n\r\nConstructive suggestions could also be incorporated in the next version. See the amendment procedure in [Article 8](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/blob/master/constitution.md#article-8-amendments) of the current Constitution, or [Article 9](https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/blob/66a900d92ffeff17faa8a5bc8368b937940b155d/constitution.md#article-9-amendments) of the revised version.\r\n\r\nStan Blum & Peter Desmet\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n## Background info on the September 2016 package\r\n\r\n### Declaration\r\n\r\nThe Changes to TDWG Constitution, described hereinafter, have been unanimously approved by the TDWG Executive Committee. This document is to be circulated to all TDWG members according to Article 8 of TDWG Constitution at least ninety (90) days prior to the close of voting for the ratification of the proposed changes. The day of publication of this document to the TDWG website (http://tdwg.org/), 6 Sep. 2016, shall be considered as day one (1) of the 90-day period.\r\n\r\n### Rationale of the proposed changes\r\n\r\nThe original TDWG Constitution was written in 1985. In the late 90's, minor changes in wording expanded TDWG's scope from plants to all organisms. In 2006, another small set of changes enabled TDWG to vote and make decisions independently of the annual meeting, and to establish the process for adopting standards independently of the Constitution. With only these minor changes in TDWG's founding document, the basic structure of the organization has remained the same since 1985. The environment that TDWG operates in, however, has changed significantly. Computing technologies have seen transformative revolutions in hardware platforms, networking, and software development methods. Biodiversity science has evolved tremendously with the emergence of vast quantities of genetic and spatial information, and as well as the digitization of so much primary biodiversity data and literature. While TDWG’s core business remains the development of standards and guidelines, and the convening of an annual meeting, the biodiversity informatics domain itself has also changed. Our community of practice has more than doubled in size, become more mature, and a complex ecosystem of research and infrastructure funding, with a variety of strong national and international stakeholders, has made the wider landscape much more complex. In this landscape, TDWG's critical role not only needs to be maintained, but further strengthened.\r\n\r\nThe TDWG Constitution creates the structure and operational norms of the organisation. As such it is imperative that TDWG members regularly review the fitness for purpose of this fundamental document and make the required adjustments.\r\n\r\nFor this reason, the TDWG Executive Committee commissioned a team (Authoring Team) of TDWG members to propose a set of key changes in the Constitution that would help TDWG continue playing its instrumental role within the biodiversity informatics community and better position the organisation in the wider international landscape.\r\n\r\nThe changes in the Constitution aim at meeting the following objectives:\r\n\r\n- (a) Improve operational effectiveness of the Executive Committee \r\n- (b) Improve the level of engagement of TDWG membership in driving key parts of the \r\n  organisation \r\n- (c) Improve the capacity of the Executive Committee to address complex and diverse issues. \r\n\r\nTo address the objectives above the Authoring Team produced a series of changes that can be summarised as follows:\r\n\r\n#### (a) Introduction of Functional Subcommittees (FS)\r\n\r\nFSs are introduced to address ongoing and standing operational needs of the wider organisation, for example its web infrastructure, outreach activities, and managing annual conference hosting bids. The FSs will attract TDWG members with the expertise and experience required to lead these efforts. As the requirements change over time, the scope and duration of these FSs will be reviewed by the Executive Committee on a regular basis. The Chairs of the FSs are _ex officio_ members of the Executive Committee. This model will bring expert members onto the Executive Committee and improve the allocation of responsibilities across the Executive Committee. It will also provide formal opportunities for other members to serve the organization as committee members and enter a pathway to leadership.\r\n\r\n#### (b) Changes in the term duration of the Executive Committee members\r\n\r\nThe current governance model is based on yearly terms of office for all Executive Committee members. Many issues handled by the TDWG Executive Committee span more than one year. For example, setting and implementing TDWG strategic priorities requires longcterm investment by the Executive Committee. To maintain continuity in the Executive Committee membership a new election model is herein proposed. This model extends the term of service for Executive Committee members from one to two years, and staggers terms and elections, whereby at most half of the Committee could turnover between years.\r\n\r\n#### (c) Introduction of the role of deputy chair\r\n\r\nTo further promote continuity in governance, we introduce the role of deputy chair. A person elected to become Chair of the Executive Committee will first serve a two-year term as Deputy Chair before serving the succeeding term as Chair. This succession will give an incoming chair the opportunity to become familiar with Executive Committee responsibilities and procedures.\r\n\r\n### Public consultation and voting procedures\r\n\r\nThe TDWG membership consultation process will open on the day this document is published to the TDWG website (http://tdwg.org). Each member is encouraged to read the proposed revision to the Constitution in the context of the rationale presented here. \r\n\r\nComments on the Constitution can be sent to the TDWG secretary (secretary@tdwg.org) up until 30 days prior to the close of vote. \r\n\r\nThe voting procedure will be electronic, with all members in good standing receiving an electronic ballot. Dates will be announced shortly, but the closing date will not be earlier than 90 days from the publication of this document to the TDWG website.\r\n\r\nEach member will be entitled to one vote (approve/disapprove), and a majority of votes cast from both individual and institutional members will be required to approve the proposal.\r\n\r\n### Authoring team\r\n\r\n- Dimitris Koureas (@dkoureas) - TDWG Secretary\r\n- James Macklin (@stanblum) - TDWG Executive Committee member\r\n- Stan Blum (@jmacklin) - Convener, Process Interest Group\r\n\r\n### TDWG Executive Committee\r\n\r\n- Cynthia Parr (USA) - Chair\r\n- William Ulate (USA) - Treasurer\r\n- Dimitris Koureas (UNITED KINGDOM) - Secretary\r\n- Gordon Ojwang (KENYA) - Africa Representative\r\n- Samuel Tsakem (CAMEROON) - Africa Representative\r\n- Ji Liqiang (CHINA) - Asia Representative\r\n- Prabhakar Rajagopal (INDIA)  - Asia Representative\r\n- Peter Desmet (BELGIUM) - Europe Representative\r\n- Patricia Mergen (BELGIUM) - Europe Representative\r\n- Eduardo Dalcin (BRAZIL) - Latin America Representative\r\n- Danny Velez (BRAZIL) - Latin America Representative\r\n- James Macklin (CANADA) - North America Representative\r\n- Chuck Miller (USA) - North America Representative\r\n- Greg Whitbread (AUSTRALIA) - Oceania Representative\r\n- Aaron Wilton (NEW ZEALAND) - Oceania Representative\r\n- Tim Robertson (DENMARK) - Co-opted Member\r\n- Gail Kampmeier (USA) - Co-opted Member\r\n- Stan Blum (USA) - Co-opted Member\r\n"},"comment":{"url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/issues/comments/260090882","html_url":"https://github.com/tdwg/constitution/pull/1#issuecomment-260090882","issue_url":"https://api.github.com/repos/tdwg/constitution/issues/1","id":260090882,"user":{"login":"hlapp","id":51458,"avatar_url":"https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/51458?v=3","gravatar_id":"","url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp","html_url":"https://github.com/hlapp","followers_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/followers","following_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/following{/other_user}","gists_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/gists{/gist_id}","starred_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/starred{/owner}{/repo}","subscriptions_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/subscriptions","organizations_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/orgs","repos_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/repos","events_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/events{/privacy}","received_events_url":"https://api.github.com/users/hlapp/received_events","type":"User","site_admin":false},"created_at":"2016-11-12T01:12:55Z","updated_at":"2016-11-12T01:12:55Z","body":"I added some inline comments for typos and grammatical errors. My only major comment is that I find it a bit unfortunate that the changes change the numbering of articles >= 7, and submit for consideration that this could be avoided by not making a another major article of the functional subcommittees.\r\n\r\nChanging the article numbering in essence breaks \"backwards compatibility\". That is, documents floating around that refer to a TDWG constitution article by number will refer to the wrong article for those >= 7 once the changes are enacted, because presumably such documents do not also include a version of the constitution. "}}
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