NT× Network Charter

Draft 2, 24th March 2006
PDF version
DIscussion forum

 

1. Purpose

 

The purpose of the Nuclear Theory for Structure, Astrophysics and Reactions Network (NTSTAR) is to organize the European nuclear theory community to:

a. Act as a forum and a voice for the nuclear structure, reactions, and astrophysics theory community to most effectively enhance the nuclear theory effort in Europe.

 

b. Contribute to identification and prioritisation of the most important physics questions to be addressed at new facilities such as FAIR, SPIRAL2, EURISOL and others.

 

c. Act as a first port of call for requests from institutions, facilities and other agencies for nuclear theory expertise.

 

 

2. Membership

a. Membership in this organization is voluntary and open to all scientists who have expressed an interest in the European Nuclear Theory by registering with the NT×website www.nucleartheory.net. It is the responsibility of the members to provide up to date information (such as email address).

 

b. Members may request to be removed from the network and mailing list by the NT× Executive Committee.

 

c. Members may be removed from the NT× network and mailing list by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee. Removed members may be reinstated with the support of at least one member of the Executive Committee.

 

d. The list of members is publicly available on the NT×website www.nucleartheory.net. The NT× Executive Committee updates the list at least once every three months.

 3. Chair and Executive Committee

 

An Executive Committee will represent the NT× Network. The Committee consists of five voting members from among the registered network membership. The Committee will organize by selecting a Chair.

a. The term of office is four consecutive calendar years, starting on January 1 and ending December 31. Elections to replace those executive committee members approaching four years of service will be held every two years.

 

b. The Chair should have at least one year of prior experience on the NT× Executive Committee. The term of the Chair is for two years. If the chair is unable to complete his/her term, the executive committee will select a new chair to finish the present term.

 

c. No institution shall have more than one member.

 

d. Removal of a member of the Executive Committee is possible through an initiative by ten members of the Group, submitting statements of support for such action. Upon reaching this threshold, the Executive Committee must survey the NT× membership and 66% of those voting must be in favour of the removal. The vacancy will be filled as per Section 5.b and amendments.

 

 4. Elections

a. Executive Committee elections will take place in the latter half of the calendar year. The Executive Committee will announce the election calendar, run the election, and determine the results. All persons who are members of NT× network prior to the elections process may vote.

 

b. The Nominating Committee will have three members and consists of the outgoing Executive Committee members. During the election cycle when only two Executive Committee terms will expire, the three continuing Executive Committee members will choose one continuing Executive Committee member to serve on the Nominating Committee.

 

c. The Nominating Committee will solicit nominations for candidates from the at-large membership for a period of at least three weeks. An eligible NT× member receiving at-large nominations from ten members will qualify to be a candidate. If the at-large nominations process fails to provide a sufficient number of candidates, the Nominating Committee will select candidates from the eligible NT× membership. From this pool of candidates, the Nominating Committee will then select two candidates to compete for each vacant seat in a manner ensuring the diversity of the Executive Committee and compliance with Section 3c.

 

d. All voting members of the NT× who are not presently serving on the Executive Committee or are from the same institution as continuing Executive Committee members are eligible to be candidates.

 

e. Nominations may be submitted by any voting member of the NT× and may be sent to any member of the nominating committee prior to the close of the nomination period.

 

f. The Nominating Committee is empowered to resolve all disputes regarding the nominating process not covered within the charter.

 

g. A plurality of votes is sufficient for election. In case of a tie-vote, the present Executive Committee will break the tie.

5. Procedures

a. The Executive Committee will conduct its business in a democratic manner with one vote per member. Measures or actions fail in the case of a tie vote.

 

b. Vacancies on the Executive Committee must be replaced. The remaining Executive Committee members will appoint a current member of the NT× to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. If the chair is vacant, the remaining members will choose an interim, fill the vacancy, and only then elect a new chair for the remainder of the year.

 

c. The Executive Committee will coordinate NT× workshops and meetings and will be the first port of call for requests from institutions, facilities and other agencies for input from nuclear theorists by directing queries to the appropriate scientists within the NT× network.

 

d. Upon request, the Executive Committee should provide advice to the facilities, agencies, and other institutions.

 

6. Amendments  

a. Amendments to this charter must originate from the Executive Committee or from a group of ten members sending statements of support to the Executive Committee.

 

b. Amendments to the charter may be adopted by a vote of the membership (plurality required) or unanimous vote of the five-member Executive Committee. If the amendment passes by Executive Committee vote, a group of ten at-large members may request a vote by the entire Users Group and the amendment in question is suspended until the vote can be held. Upon notification of the passage of the amendment, the at-large membership will have four weeks to request the vote.

 

7. Definitions

a. Unless otherwise specified, the duties of the chair specified in this charter may be carried out by a designated member of the Executive Committee.

 

b. The first election will be administered by the NT× Steering Committee []. In this election, the three members receiving the highest vote count will serve a term of four years, while the remaining two will serve a term of two years. For the first election, the NT× Steering Committee will appoint a ballot-counting committee made up of NT× members who are not candidates for election.

8. Ratification

 

This Charter shall be accepted as a document providing guidance and rules of operation for the NT× Network following a ratification vote in which 2/3 favour adoption of the charter. The NT× Steering Committee shall administer the ratification vote.