12 August, 1999
National Representatives: A Policy Statement by the Bureau
The Bureau has discussed the role of National Representatives,
particularly in relation to the integrated program approved by the
Bureau in September 1998 to improve the organization and management
of IUPAC's scientific activities. Bylaw 4.305 provides for the nomination
and appointment of National Representatives, but defines their role
solely by stating that they may attend Commission meetings. In fact,
National Representatives participate in a range of activities within
Commissions and Standing Committees, particularly the Committee
on Teaching of Chemistry. The program approved by the Bureau envisions
the termination in 2001 of current Commissions and ultimate reliance
on a much smaller number of Commissions, together with a large number
of Task Groups formed to carry out specific projects.
One of the aims of the new program is to open participation
in IUPAC activities to the worldwide chemistry community. Any individual
or group in any country or countries may submit a proposal for an
IUPAC project and recommend people to carry out the project. The
project-driven system thus has the potential to broaden participation
internationally. However, the Bureau believes that each National
Adhering Organization should have assurance that its scientists
can participate in the full range of the Union's activities. The
program approved last year specified that a limited number of National
Representatives may be named to Division Committees, which will
become the focus of the scientific activities. Although the size
of each Division Committee must remain relatively small in order
to carry out its business efficiently, the Bureau believes that
some flexibility in numbers of National Representatives should be
allowed.
Several NAOs have indicated that they would be able
and willing to recommend candidates for Task Groups. In addition
to such names being considered as part of the core membership of
the Task Group, the Bureau believes that each NAO should be able
to nominate National Representatives in much the way that they have
nominated such Representatives to Commissions. Since each Task Group
is to be devoted to a specific project, a National Representative
must clearly be qualified and be willing to participate in the project.
The Bureau has adopted the following policies:
A National Representative, as defined in Bylaw 4.305,
may be appointed as a non-voting member of a Division Committee
on nomination by a National Adhering Organization and approval by
the Division Committee. Normally the number of National Representatives
on each Division Committee will be limited to six, but the Executive
Committee may approve a larger number if requested by a Division
Committee. A National Representative to a Division Committee is
expected to participate (usually by e-mail) in the work of the Committee,
including the provision of advice, where appropriate, concerning
proposals for projects and Task Groups. The term of appointment
is two years, renewable once. Exceptional circumstances must be
established and approval of the Executive Committee must be obtained
for appointment of a National Representative from a country that
already has a Titular or Associate Member on the Committee.
A National Representative may be appointed to a Task
Group on nomination by a National Adhering Organization and approval
by the chairman of the Task Group. [In some instances the Division
President or Chairman of the Task Group may suggest to the NAO the
nomination of a specific person.] The appointment will normally
run for the duration of the Task Group. A National Representative
to a Task Group is expected to have expertise in the subject of
the Task Group's project and to contribute (normally by e-mail)
to the work of the Task Group.
Travel and subsistence expenses of National Representatives
are normally not paid by IUPAC. National Adhering Organizations
are encouraged to provide funds or to seek outside funds to permit
occasional participation of National Representatives in meetings
of Division Committees and Task Groups.
The Bureau has asked the Secretary General and the
Secretariat to remain in close contact with NAOs and with Division
Officers to ensure that these provisions are fully implemented and
that National Representatives are given an opportunity to participate
actively.