UCGIS Membership Committee

Purpose

The purpose of this committee is to sustain membership in UCGIS, as guided by the UCGIS Board of Directors. For example, in 2020 the primary goals of the Membership Committee include:

  1. to increase and diversify the membership
  2. to revise and propose updates to the membership model categories as needed to support Goal #1
  3. to coordinate with other committees to engage new members

History & Context

Over the course of its history the Membership Committee has served a variety of ad hoc functions to aid the Executive Committee in supporting and promoting UCGIS. It is not a Standing Committee as specified by the Bylaws. 

Scope

The following activities fall under the auspices of the Membership Committee: 

  1. Maintaining a Values Proposition statement that documents a range of Membership Benefits available to members at all categories and levels;
  2. Responding to inquiries from potential members and following up on a regular basis during the application phase, being sensitive to the unique circumstances of each member department or institution;
  3. Coordinating the application process across all steps, from the initial submission of documents through to making recommendations to the Council;
  4. Engagement with lapsed members to pursue renewed membership, as appropriate;
  5. Contributing to documents and financial spreadsheets if and when new membership categories and/or levels are being considered.

The following activities are not the responsibility of the Membership Committee:

  1. Negotiating or collecting Dues payments.

Authority

The Membership Committee carries out all actions with the approval of the Executive Director and under the direction of the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.

Composition of the Committee

  1. The Committee is led by a Chair who is appointed by the UCGIS Board of Directors for a period of three years. Volunteers for the Chair appointment are encouraged. The Vice-chair is selected annually by the Chair from among the committee members.
  2. Each year, the President invites Delegates to select a committee on which they would like to serve as a member. Other, non-Delegate individuals from UCGIS member institutions or units are invited to become active members of this Committee, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Meeting arrangements and Expectations

  1. Since this is an ad hoc committee, regular online meetings are not required. However, members of the committee should communicate regularly and act upon any relevant new membership opportunities. 
  2. The Chair is encouraged to organize a face-to-face meeting of the Committee at the annual Symposium. This is usually organized as a breakfast or lunch. 
  3. All meetings of this Committee will be organized to be agenda-driven, focused, and efficient in their time.

Reporting

  1. The Chair or Vice Chair of this Committee is expected to attend monthly meetings of the Board of Directors. He or she will be provided with an opportunity to make a brief oral report on activities (5 minutes or less). If the Chair knows that she or he will want more time to discuss an idea with the Board or seek their input, at least 10 days prior to the meeting the Chair can request of the President and Executive Director that their item be added to the Agenda.    
  2. Twice annually, the Chair will produce a brief written report (2-3 pages) prior to each Symposium and December Council Meeting that will be shared with the Delegates for review and discussion. 

Resources and budget

  1. GoToMeeting can be used to host any meetings of the Committee.
  2. Work space for the Committee is available in TeamWorkPM and on the UCGIS website. 
  3. Money (up to $100) is available to a Committee Chair to defray costs incurred during an in-person Committee meeting while at the Symposium (a breakfast/lunch meeting, etc.)
  4. The Chair of the Committee is eligible for reimbursement to defray personal expenses incurred to attend the annual Symposium. The amount/year is determined by the Executive Director and the Treasurer, and has been $500/person in recent years. 

Deliverables

  1. As needed, contributions to organizational documents such as white papers and reports may be requested of this Committee.