Re: International Committee Task Force (ICTF) Dear ICOM members, Last year a Task Force on International Committees was created. If you are interested in the work of this group you should go to the ICOM web site where you will find all the basic information http://www.icom.org/task_int.html This working group had intensive discussions on how to improve the system of International Committees (ICs) and theme-oriented (not geographically defined) Affiliated Organisations (AOs). We decided to bring a first set of reform ideas to the general ICOM membership for critical consideration. We broke down the complex issue into four main domains: A General role and tasks of International Committees B Procedures of creation and criteria of evaluation of ICs C Organisation, membership administration and communication with members D Legal and financial problems. Please note that we have only treated items A and B until now. Hence we ask you NOT to discuss items C and D! We will come back later with proposals on those matters. You are asked to kindly give your opinion on the following topics. We are looking forward to your comments, that are precious for our work: 1. ICs and (theme-oriented) AOs have similar functions. They should be linked more closely and eventually merged in one new structure. Do you agree? 2. The general mission of ICs (we retain this name for the "new structure") should include the following: principal instruments of discussion and exchange, themes should be basic museum tasks/functions, global approach, durable mission, mutual collaboration, activity in favour of ICOM. Which other basic topics should be included? 3. Concerning the creation of new ICs we foster a "market approach", or a pragmatic one, according to the needs of the museums community. We don't foresee a pre-established system of ICs. Do you agree? 4. The criteria for the creation of new ICs should include mainly: conformity with the Code of Ethics and the ICOM Statutes, global in every respect (theme, membership), clear definition of the theme that has to be a long-lasting one treating with museum matters, minimum number of members (maybe at least 100), members from different countries (for instance at least 10) and from different continents (at least 3). Do you have other criteria or other conditions for the creation of new ICs? 5. We suggest that an observation period of 3 years should be introduced definitively before a new IC is accepted into the ICOM family. Do you think that such a period is appropriate? 6. Every 12 years ICs should be evaluated. Criteria include the same as under 4. in addition to the following ones: application of the Code of Ethics and the ICOM Statutes, contribution by any means to general ICOM issues, having a healthy financial policy, having a functioning administration with regular elections, running a web site, publishing a newsletter for the members, organising one meeting every year. Do you want to include other items, e.g. joint meetings with another IC/AO or the necessity of publishing the papers presented at meetings? 7. An IC can end its activity by its own will or it can be dissolved; in the latter case, the same criteria as under item 6. are applicable. Your opinion? 8. Creation of a new ICOM Standing Commission on ICs. This body has to work on the creation, the evaluation and the dissolution of ICs and has to give advice and help to ICs in difficulty. It reports to the Executive Council (which has the ultimate decision) through the Advisory Committee. Do you think that this could be a workable system? 9. Regionalisation of ICs is important, especially to allow more colleagues to participate to meetings and to benefit from others' experience. Hence, the creation of regional sub-IC's is fostered. Agree? 10. Outside the framework of IC's, we recommend the creation of ICOM Working Groups as new entities to deal with short-term, new and very precisely defined topics. They could be a quick response to new needs in a limited time frame. Do you agree with such a new body? A wealth of questions! We hope not only to have many answers but to contribute to an excellent discussion among professionals. Please note that the members of the Task Force decided not to intervene in this ICOM-L discussion but you can be sure that they will follow it with very great interest. This first discussion round should last one month until March 26, 2002 In advance, we thank all who will contribute with their bright ideas. We send our best wishes and kindest regards to the world-wide ICOM family - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html