Community Governance

Consensus Based GovernanceRECOMMENDATIONS

AOAC and The Community

AOACOfficial Methods Board

Method Committee

Subgroups Method Need Consensus

Method Performance Criteria

Method Selection

Validation Data

Collaborative Study Protocol

Community and Subgroups

Voting Members• 2 from each Subgroup• 6-10 At-Large• Community Chairs

Subgroup A

Subgroup B

Subgroup C

Subgroup D

Assure fair, transparent & defensible decisions by consensus

Stakeholder Categories

Consumers Government Industry Labor Non Government Organizations Other (Examples: Consulting firms, academia,

professional societies, standards developing organizations)

Community Composition

Food Production Industry Trade Organizations Export/Import Distributors Instrument/Test Kit Manufacturers Private Laboratory Scientists Government Regulators/Scientists Academic Scientists AOAC Volunteers and Methods Experts

Selection Criteria

Perspectives Balance. Members represent a spectrum of experts from industry, government, academia, subject matter expert, end user, geography, etc. that are pertinent to the purpose of Subgroup.

Expertise Match. Members relevant work experience supports the purpose of the Subgroup.

“DRAFT” Community Governance

Submit governance suggestions to a volunteer Governance Subgroup

Subgroup to prepare written procedures for Subgroup

Submit for approval to the whole community via e-mail by Feb 2008

Approval requires at least 2/3 of community members

What are the duties of a Member?

Follow AOAC policies & procedures Actively participate Be open, transparent and truthful Consider all opinions Respond to communications Accept and complete assignments Abide by consensus-based decisions Stay on track and within mission Work with AOAC-appointed method experts Work with AOAC staff

How are Stakeholder Subgroups formed?

Initially, Chairs will appoint Subgroups for known areas of interest.

Subgroups will continue based on annual approval of ½+ of Community voting members

How are Community Subgroups formed?

Chairs notified of a method need (survey, AOAC…)

Method = Chemical Contaminant in Food Multiple stakeholders have similar needs 3+ stakeholders will support a method Fiscal and/or analytical support possible Chairs ask stakeholders to present proposal Stakeholders introduce topic to Community Accepted by 1/2+ of Community voting

members Chairs notify AOAC & stakeholders via e-mail

How are Subgroup Chairs appointed?

Community Chairs appoint 1st Subgroup Chair

Must be a Community & AOAC member Must be a Subgroup stakeholder Subgroup Chair recommends

Subgroup Members Community Chairs approve

Subgroup Members Subgroup members may recommend AOAC

member as Subgroup Chair (2/3+ vote) Community Chairs approve new Subgroup

Chair Chairs notify Community & AOAC of change

How to be a member of a Subgroup?

Be a Community member Be a Stakeholder in Subgroup Topic Area Provide balance of background

(international, industry, government, academia…) Submit request to Subgroup Chair Be recommended by Subgroup Chair Be accepted by Community Chairs Actively participate in the work of the

Subgroup

Duties & responsibilities of Subgroups?

Follow voluntary consensus standards Establish working structure Establish governance Identify and work with stakeholder

sponsors Membership stakeholder balance Recommend two Voting Members to

Community

Duties & responsibilities of Subgroups?

Prioritize most needed methods Define method performance criteria Call for methods Recommend method actions to

Community Recommend method “experts” to AOAC Work with AOAC-appointed “experts” Develop & recommend validation

protocols Member with vested interest recluse self

How do Subgroups make decisions?

Participate in discussions, studies, surveys…

Share data, minutes, reports, etc with all subgroup members

Try to achieve consensus Propose modifications, additions,

compromises… Vote in-person, e-mail, written ballot… 100% approval preferred 2/3 minimum to approve Publish results on AOAC website

Who are Voting Members?

Chairs of Community Two members from each Subgroup

(recommended by Subgroup; approved by Chairs)

6 – 12 At-Large members of Community

recommended by Chairs approved by 2/3 vote of Community May not out number subgroup voting members

What decisions are made by Voting Members?

Community governance procedures Establishment of Subgroups Approve recommendations of the

Subgroups Approve method protocols to AOAC OMB

How does Community make decisions?

Receives recommendations as written or verbal reports

Provides opportunity for comment from all community members

Openly shares all communications Attempts to reach consensus Recommendations based on at least

2/3 approval of voting members