Dear Martin, thank you very much for your task force report on International Committees. Your group has done a wonderful work. I have just one remark: I believe the number of members who could made a proposition is by far to large (50). I would prefer "members from at least 10 countries from more than one coninent". Best wishes from Berlin Hans-Martin >>> [log in to unmask] 09.04.2003 14:42 >>> Task Force on International Committees Dear ICOM members, In December 2000 the Executive Council (EC) set up a Task Force on International Committees (ICTF) on the recommendation of the ICOM Reform Task Force (1998-2001 triennium), passed at the General Assembly in Barcelona 2001. Its mission is to make concrete recommendations on any and all aspects of the role and responsibilities of International Committees (ICs) within ICOM, including also related Affiliated Organisations. The members of the ICTF are: Claudia Balk (SIBMAS), Nelly Decarolis (ICOFOM-LAM), David Elliott (CIMAM), David Grattan (ICOM-CC), Jean-Marcel Humbert (AVICOM), Sandra Lorimer (ICEE), Bernice Murphy (EC), Ganga Rautela (CECA), Per Rekdal (ICME), Keletso Setlhabi (CIDOC), and Martin R.Schärer (EC, coordinator). Our work started in November 2001 and included intense e-mail discussion, two meetings, and two ICOM-L discussions. We are very pleased to present our recommendations now to the whole ICOM membership for a general discussion. Afterwards, a final document will be established for consideration in the June 2003 meeting of the Advisory Committee (AC). The International Committees constitute the principal instruments for the work of ICOM and for the realisation of its programmes of activity. They are a channel of communication for members of ICOM with similar professional interests. The ICTF is well aware of the many organisational, financial and legal problems occurring in the daily life of International Committees. We don't have any miracles to offer. Neither can we breathe life into the International Committees, it is up to them to create visions. But we can try to facilitate their work by creating a better general framework, even if it may sound very technical and sober. We decided that our suggestions for reform should remain within the present statutes, at least in the first instance. Please keep in mind that the ICOM statutes will be completely revised during the coming years. We accepted some basic principles for our reforms: As much autonomy as possible for individual approaches and solutions, acceptance of a plurality of working models (there are very big and extremely small Committees!), as well as a flexible and demand-oriented approach for the creation of new International Committees. Such basic principles need clear definitions. We will put them into four documents. They will enumerate the important points, without extended formulations. Such an approach should facilitate feedback. The discussion is open until 25 April 2003. We thank your warmly for your participation Martin R.Schärer Member of the Executive Council Coordinator of ICTF Our proposals concern the following four documents: A Principles for the creation, operation and evaluation if ICs B Framework agreement between ICOM and ICs C Rules for ICs D Terms of Reference for the new Standing Committee of the Executive Council on International Committees [this will be the 4th Standing Committee of the EC alongside the Ethics, Finance, and Legal Committees] All decisions are under the authority of the Executive Council which will consider the advice of the new Standing Committee as well as of the Advisory Committee. A Principles for the creation, operation and evaluation if ICs Creation 1. ICOM fosters a demand-oriented approach for the creation of new ICs 2. Proposition made by at least 50 ICOM members from at least 10 countries from more than 1 continent 3. Professionally-oriented theme of global and long-lasting interest compatible with ICOM's core mission and statement of values 4. Conformity with the Statutes of ICOM 5. Conformity with the Code of Ethics for Museums 6. Establishment of Rules for the Ics' operation according to regular procedures 7. Signature of the Framework Agreement between ICOM and the office holders of the IC 8. A new IC is accepted after a three-year probationary period after which it joins the other ICs for periodical review and evaluation Operation 1. Act according to the documents cited in points 3, 4, 5 and 6 above 2. Special bank account in the name of the IC, with more than one signature Evaluation (regularly, at least once every 6 years) 1. Act according to the documents cited in points 3, 4, 5 and 6 above 2. Having relevant activities 3. Fiscal accountability 4. Minimum membership size of 50 5. Regular form of communication with members 6. Regular meetings, including requirement to convene a meeting at the time of the General Conference and Assembly of ICOM B Framework Agreement between ICOM and ICs (signed by the president of ICOM and by any IC officer on taking up the function) 1. Reciprocal responsibilities, confidence and collaboration 2. Support of ICOM values and missions 3. Acceptance of Principles for the creation, operation and evaluation of ICs 4. Conduct of the IC complies with ICOM's Statutes, Code of Ethics, Core Mission and Value statements and adopted Rules governing the Committee's operation 5. Accept all ICOM members (in good standing) as IC members (the IC has access to membership lists for internal use only), which includes the right to create groups with restricted membership for special purposes 6. Deliver a yearly activity and financial report to ICOM, including the results of elections 7. Legal autonomy in conformity with international and national law 8. Financial autonomy, including the right to accept sponsorship and to request fees for special activities and services (the basic membership and receipt of general information must be free in one IC for all ICOM members) 9. General financial behavior of IC should not compromise ICOM 10. Subsidies granted by ICOM according to the number of members formally recorded by ICOM on each IC list C Rules for ICs These must be in conformity with the ICOM Statutes in general and article 17 in particular, and with the Code of Ethics, the Principles for the creation, operation and evaluation of ICs, and the Framework Agreement between ICOM and ICs. As a minimum requirement, the following items must be mentioned: 1. Name 2. Applicability of the ICOM Statutes, the Code of Ethics, Values and Mission of ICOM, the Principles for the creation, operation and evaluation of ICs, and the Framework Agreement with ICOM 2. Mission statement of the IC 4. Membership including, if desired, the right to co-opt non-ICOM members 5. Elections held regularly and reported to members and to ICOM 6. Financial management clearly and accountably presented annually 7. Procedure for amending the Rules as required, in a formal manner D Terms of Reference for the new Standing Committee of the Executive Council on International Committees 1. The Committee is to be established and its chairperson and members are to be designated by the EC 2. 9 members (2 of EC, 5 with IC experience elected by AC, 2 co-opted) 3. Advise the EC in all matters concerning the ICs, especially with respect to their creation, running and dissolution 4. Advise the ICs in difficulty and foster sharing of experience among ICs 5. Identify emerging issues and new initiatives to advance the work of ICOM through ICs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html