edits

_site/index.html

@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
 <h1>RWSC Governance Structure</h1>
 <section id="welcome" class="level2 unnumbered">
 <h2 class="unnumbered anchored" data-anchor-id="welcome">Welcome</h2>
-<p>This document articulates a governance structure for the <a href="rwsc.org">Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind</a> (RWSC) as a collaborative entity among four sectors – federal agencies, state agencies, environmental non-governmental organizations, and offshore wind companies. The structure and processes described in this document are meant to provide consistency in participation in RWSC where possible across sectors while also allowing necessary flexibility for each sector. This document and all of its sections will be reviewed and re-adopted annually by the Steering Committee.</p>
+<p>This document articulates a governance structure for the <a href="https://rwsc.org/">Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind</a> (RWSC) as a collaborative entity among four sectors – federal agencies, state agencies, environmental non-governmental organizations, and offshore wind companies. The structure and processes described in this document are meant to provide consistency in participation in RWSC where possible across sectors while also allowing necessary flexibility for each sector. This document and all of its sections will be reviewed and re-adopted annually by the Steering Committee.</p>
 <hr>
 <section id="mission" class="level3 unnumbered">
 <h3 class="unnumbered anchored" data-anchor-id="mission">Mission</h3>
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ <h3 class="unnumbered anchored" data-anchor-id="shared-values">Shared Values</h3
 <h2 class="anchored" data-anchor-id="history">History &amp; Background</h2>
 <p>The RWSC was formed in July 2021 following several years of planning, facilitated discussions, and working sessions that included representatives from the four sectors and other interested stakeholders. During the pre-2021 planning phase, many of the key components of the entity’s potential structure and governance were outlined in a collaborative document, <a href="https://neoceanplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RWSE_Vision_2020.pdf">Regional Wildlife Science Entity for Atlantic Offshore Wind: A Stakeholder Driven Vision</a>.</p>
 <p>A voluntary interim Steering Committee was convened to inform the selection of a host entity and fiscal agent in early 2021. The Interim Steering Committee used the Vision document as a blueprint for the formation of the entity. When the Interim Steering Committee selected the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, and Coastal States Stewardship Foundation as hosts and fiscal agent, they all collectively began implementing the governance structure as described in the Vision. The Interim Steering Committee transitioned to a full standing Steering Committee, leveraging all of the same individuals that had served as interim members. These members guided the formation of the four Sector Caucuses and six expert Subcommittees (Marine Mammals, Birds &amp; Bats, Sea Turtles, Habitat &amp; Ecosystem, Protected Fish Species, and Technology).</p>
-<p>After approximately two years of collaboration and discussions with the research community, RWSC released the first <a href="http://rwsc.org/science-plan">Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters</a> (“Science Plan”) in January 2024. The Science Plan aggregates research and data needs from across the sectors, and recommends data repositories and practices for data management that are specific to each type of research or data. In addition, the Science Plan describes a framework for collaboration among the sectors to support regional offshore wind and wildlife research and implement the recommendations in the Science Plan. One of the recommendations in the Science Plan is to convene a new Data Governance Subcommittee that will develop RWSC-wide policies for data management and sharing. With support from RWSC staff, the Steering Committee is convening this new Subcommittee in early 2024.</p>
+<p>After approximately two years of collaboration and discussions with the research community, RWSC released the first <a href="http://rwsc.org/science-plan">Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters</a> (“Science Plan”) in January 2024. The Science Plan aggregates research and data needs from across the sectors, and recommends data repositories and practices for data management that are specific to each type of research or data. In addition, the Science Plan describes a framework for collaboration among the sectors to support regional offshore wind and wildlife research and implement the recommendations in the Science Plan. One of the recommendations in the Science Plan is to convene a new Data Governance Subcommittee that will develop RWSC-wide policies for data management and sharing. With support from RWSC staff, the Steering Committee has convened this new Subcommittee in early 2024.</p>
 <p>The Science Plan, including the framework for collaboration, and this Governance Structure, will continue to be used to guide the work of the RWSC.</p>
 </section>
 <section id="org" class="level2">
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ <h2 class="anchored" data-anchor-id="org">Organizational Components</h2>
 </ul></li>
 <li><p><a href="./index.html#subcommittees">Subcommittees</a> <strong>–</strong> Subcommittees are the core groups that identify key gaps and needs, scope initial research concepts initially, and help maintain alignment between ongoing research and the gaps and needs of the RWSC. Subcommittees are convened as needed. This section contains the generic Subcommittee Terms of Reference. RWSC staff also maintain a specific Terms document for each Subcommittee (referenced within).</p></li>
 <li><p><a href="./index.html#staff">Director, Other Staff, and Partners</a> <strong>–</strong> Staff employed by RWSC with appropriate skills and competencies. The Director conducts day-to-day management of RWSC including planning events, coordinating the committees, brokering funding and in selected cases, managing research contracts. Partners are organizations who operate within the geographic area of interest and have objectives similar to those of the RWSC and/or complementary expertise.</p></li>
-<li><p><a href="./index.html#ops">RWSC Operations Host and Fiscal Agent</a> <strong>-</strong> A Host/Fiscal Agent with functional administrative capacities that provides key functions for RWSC for a reasonable overhead cost. Provides infrastructure to execute administrative and financial duties to administer operational funds (e.g.&nbsp;RWSC staff contracts management). and research funding (e.g.&nbsp;letting contracts for specific services, and aggregating funding for research, as needed).</p></li>
+<li><p><a href="./index.html#ops">RWSC Operations Host and Fiscal Agent</a> <strong>-</strong> A Host/Fiscal Agent with functional administrative capacities that provides key functions for RWSC for a reasonable overhead cost. Provides infrastructure to execute administrative and financial duties to administer operational funds (e.g.&nbsp;RWSC staff contracts management) and research funding (e.g.&nbsp;letting contracts for specific services, and aggregating funding for research, as needed).</p></li>
 <li><p><a href="./index.html#research">RWSC Offshore Wind &amp; Wildlife Research Fund Fiscal Agent</a> <strong>–</strong> A Fiscal Agent with functional administrative capacities that provides key functions for RWSC for a reasonable overhead cost. Provides infrastructure to execute administrative and financial duties to administer research funds (e.g.&nbsp;aggregating funding for research, developing and managing subcontracts with research entities).</p></li>
 <li><p><a href="https://rwscollab.github.io/coi-policy/">Conflict of Interest Policy</a></p></li>
 <li><p>Harassment Policy</p></li>
@@ -373,8 +373,8 @@ <h3 class="anchored" data-anchor-id="industry">Offshore Wind Industry Caucus Fra
 <p>The table below briefly summarizes a membership and leadership model for the Offshore Wind Industry Caucus developed in late 2021 and refined in early 2023. Each component is further described in the following sections. This is the first membership model implemented by the Caucus and it was designed to be flexible in the first year of RWSC operations. The Caucus will reevaluate this model at least annually and more frequently as needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
 <table class="table">
 <colgroup>
-<col style="width: 45%">
-<col style="width: 45%">
+<col style="width: 44%">
+<col style="width: 44%">
 </colgroup>
 <tbody>
 <tr class="odd">
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ <h3 class="anchored" data-anchor-id="industry">Offshore Wind Industry Caucus Fra
 <p><strong><em>Offshore Wind Industry Caucus Voting</em></strong></p>
 <p>This Framework recognizes that Caucus Members will represent overlapping and duplicative interests. As such, the Caucus will make consensus-based decisions to the extent practicable. On feedback and advice on substantive issues, the Caucus may report a range of views if the Members are not in general agreement. Voting procedures will be used when determined necessary by Caucus leadership. Caucus members (entities that provide financial contributions to the RWSC operations budget) have voting status.&nbsp;</p>
 <p><strong><em>Offshore Wind Industry Caucus Leadership – Steering Committee Eligibility</em></strong></p>
-<p>Caucus Members are eligible for roles as Caucus leads and to represent the Caucus on the Steering Committee. The Caucus will select Members to represent the Caucus on the Steering Committee for a term of two years. One Steering Committee position will rotate each year, so that terms are staggered.</p>
+<p>Caucus Members are eligible for roles as Caucus leads and to represent the Caucus on the Steering Committee. The Caucus will select Members to represent the Caucus on the Steering Committee for a term of three years. One Steering Committee position will rotate each other year, so that terms are staggered.</p>
 <ul>
 <li><p>Three primary Caucus leads/Steering Committee members must be selected by Caucus Members. Each selected Caucus lead/Steering Committee member should also designate an alternate from their entity. Alternates may join Steering Committee voting procedures only if the primary member is unable to participate.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></li>
 <li><p>Caucus Members may consider the following factors when they determine the balance of Caucus representation on the Steering Committee:&nbsp;</p>
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ <h3 class="anchored" data-anchor-id="state">State Caucus Framework</h3>
 <p>For at least the next few fiscal years, there is a need for financial support of RWSC operations which includes convening all RWSC members and stakeholders (i.e., Steering Committee, four Sector Caucuses, six Subcommittees) and developing science plans/research agendas that describe data needs and research priorities with each taxa-based Subcommittee. The Annual Work Plan describes the scope of this work and the services provided by RWSC staff, along with a budget. The Annual Work Plan and FY 2022 budget was approved by the RWSC interim Steering Committee in September 2021.</p>
 <p>The RWSC Governance Structure encourages members from the four Sector Caucuses to contribute to the operational costs of the RWSC, in the form of financial or documented in-kind contributions. Each Caucus is developing a contribution model.</p>
 <p><strong><em>State Sector Caucus - Financial Contribution to Research Funds</em></strong></p>
-<p>As of March 2022, a Research Budget has not been developed. Following the finalization of and RWSC Science Plan, staff and the Steering Committee will seek input on funding priorities and project management costs to develop a Research Budget. The Caucus will reevaluate Membership and contribution criteria and expectations at this time.&nbsp;</p>
+<p>As of March 2022, a Research Budget has not been developed. Following the finalization of the RWSC Science Plan, staff and the Steering Committee will seek input on funding priorities and project management costs to develop a Research Budget. The Caucus will reevaluate Membership and contribution criteria and expectations at this time.&nbsp;</p>
 </section>
 <section id="federal" class="level3">
 <h3 class="anchored" data-anchor-id="federal">Federal Caucus Framework</h3>

_site/sitemap.xml

@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 <urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">
   <url>
     <loc>https://rwscollab.github.io/governance-structure/index.html</loc>
-    <lastmod>2024-03-27T18:31:40.107Z</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2024-04-04T15:14:51.807Z</lastmod>
   </url>
 </urlset>

index.qmd

@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@ editor:
 ## Welcome {#welcome .unnumbered}
 
 This document articulates a governance structure for the [Regional
-Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind](rwsc.org) (RWSC) as a
-collaborative entity among four sectors – federal agencies, state
-agencies, environmental non-governmental organizations, and offshore
-wind companies. The structure and processes described in this document
-are meant to provide consistency in participation in RWSC where possible
-across sectors while also allowing necessary flexibility for each
-sector. This document and all of its sections will be reviewed and
+Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind](https://rwsc.org/)
+(RWSC) as a collaborative entity among four sectors – federal agencies,
+state agencies, environmental non-governmental organizations, and
+offshore wind companies. The structure and processes described in this
+document are meant to provide consistency in participation in RWSC where
+possible across sectors while also allowing necessary flexibility for
+each sector. This document and all of its sections will be reviewed and
 re-adopted annually by the Steering Committee.
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ the sectors to support regional offshore wind and wildlife research and
 implement the recommendations in the Science Plan. One of the
 recommendations in the Science Plan is to convene a new Data Governance
 Subcommittee that will develop RWSC-wide policies for data management
-and sharing. With support from RWSC staff, the Steering Committee is
-convening this new Subcommittee in early 2024.
+and sharing. With support from RWSC staff, the Steering Committee has
+convened this new Subcommittee in early 2024.
 
 The Science Plan, including the framework for collaboration, and this
 Governance Structure, will continue to be used to guide the work of the
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ and shown in the RWSC org chart.
     provides key functions for RWSC for a reasonable overhead cost.
     Provides infrastructure to execute administrative and financial
     duties to administer operational funds (e.g. RWSC staff contracts
-    management). and research funding (e.g. letting contracts for
+    management) and research funding (e.g. letting contracts for
     specific services, and aggregating funding for research, as needed).
 
 7.  [RWSC Offshore Wind & Wildlife Research Fund Fiscal
@@ -495,26 +495,27 @@ and it was designed to be flexible in the first year of RWSC operations.
 The Caucus will reevaluate this model at least annually and more
 frequently as needed.  
 
-+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
-| **Caucus Membership:**         | Open to offshore wind industry |
-|                                | with US Atlantic coast         |
-|                                | interests\*                    |
-+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
-| **Caucus Voting:**             | Open to Caucus Members         |
-+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
-| **Caucus Leadership - Steering | Open to Caucus Members         |
-| Committee Eligibility:**       |                                |
-+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
-| **Financial Contribution       | Contributions come from each   |
-| Structure (operations budget   | individual entity represented  |
-| only):**                       | in the caucus, regardless of   |
-|                                | type of affiliation            |
-+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
-| **Minimum number of            | 11 (at \$20k per entity)       |
-| contributions necessary to     |                                |
-| fund FY2022 operational        | 9 (at \$25k per entity)        |
-| budget**                       |                                |
-+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
++-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
+| **Caucus Membership:**        | Open to offshore wind         |
+|                               | industry with US Atlantic     |
+|                               | coast interests\*             |
++-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
+| **Caucus Voting:**            | Open to Caucus Members        |
++-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
+| **Caucus Leadership -         | Open to Caucus Members        |
+| Steering Committee            |                               |
+| Eligibility:**                |                               |
++-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
+| **Financial Contribution      | Contributions come from each  |
+| Structure (operations budget  | individual entity represented |
+| only):**                      | in the caucus, regardless of  |
+|                               | type of affiliation           |
++-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
+| **Minimum number of           | 11 (at \$20k per entity)      |
+| contributions necessary to    |                               |
+| fund FY2022 operational       | 9 (at \$25k per entity)       |
+| budget**                      |                               |
++-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
 
 \**Entities have US Atlantic offshore wind lease interests, the intent
 to obtain a US Atlantic offshore wind lease interest(s)/eligible
@@ -607,9 +608,9 @@ Eligibility***
 
 Caucus Members are eligible for roles as Caucus leads and to represent
 the Caucus on the Steering Committee. The Caucus will select Members to
-represent the Caucus on the Steering Committee for a term of two years.
-One Steering Committee position will rotate each year, so that terms are
-staggered.
+represent the Caucus on the Steering Committee for a term of three
+years. One Steering Committee position will rotate each other year, so
+that terms are staggered.
 
 -   Three primary Caucus leads/Steering Committee members must be
     selected by Caucus Members. Each selected Caucus lead/Steering
@@ -807,7 +808,7 @@ developing a contribution model.
 ***State Sector Caucus - Financial Contribution to Research Funds***
 
 As of March 2022, a Research Budget has not been developed. Following
-the finalization of and RWSC Science Plan, staff and the Steering
+the finalization of the RWSC Science Plan, staff and the Steering
 Committee will seek input on funding priorities and project management
 costs to develop a Research Budget. The Caucus will reevaluate
 Membership and contribution criteria and expectations at this time.