[WSIS CS-Plenary] Charter of Working Methods Working Group

[Elizabeth Carll, PhD]

Dear Rik and all,

The charter of the Working Group on Working Methods, in addition to
explaining the role of WGWM, can be used as a template for drafting charters
for other working groups.  While most have mission statements, not all may
have charters.  Very concise and informative.  I will propose this template
to the Health and ICT WG.

Elizabeth

Dr. Elizabeth Carll
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies;
UN NGO Committee on Mental Health;
Communications Coordination Committee for the UN
Tel: 1631-754-2424
Fax: 1631-754-5032
ecarll at optonline.net

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On Behalf
Of Rik Panganiban
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 8:20 AM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org; workingmethods at wsis-cs.org
Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Charter of Working Methods Working Group


Dear Colleagues,


Please find below for your information the charter of the Working Group on
Working Methods , which was agreed to today, after some minor edits to our
27 March 2005 version.  We hope it is helpful in your understanding of the
work of the WGWM.  We will be meeting every day during the Prepcom from
1200 - 1300 in the NGO Lounge (near the cafeteria).


Rik Panganiban
WGWM Co-facilitator


WSIS Civil Society Working Group on Working Methods
CHARTER




1. Mission
The Mission of the Working Group on Working Methods (WGWM) is to formulate
proposals and recommendations on procedures, modalities and processes for
civil society to work most effectively and democratically together and to
serve as the collective memory for civil society.

2. Objective
These recommendations are intended for use by other civil society (CS)
bodies in the WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) process,
including the Civil Society Bureau, Content and Themes Group, Caucuses,
Working Groups and the Plenary writ large.

3. Goals
To draft the following documents:
a blueprint of a charter for Working Groups/Caucuses;
a description of the CS structures and groupings at the WSIS (incl.: Content
& Themes Group, Civil Society Bureau, Civil Society Plenary);
a proposal for global decision-making for civil society (e.g. procedural and
substantive, such as common CS press releases, CS speakers at PrepCom and
the Summit, etc.)

4. Terms of References
The self-described terms of references of the WGWM are:
to elaborate on the structures and organization of what has worked and not
worked of the civil society processes during Phase I
to brainstorm on possible options for operational procedures
to support the working groups with options and suggestions with any
procedural challenges, difficulties and dilemmas in their work during
PrepComs
to formulate and suggest recommendations for procedures, modalities and
processes

5. Membership
The WGWM membership is open to all civil society actors, individuals and
organizations, who are involved in the WSIS process. It is encouraged that
those participating know of the WSIS CS structures and are involved in at
least one other thematic or regional working group or caucus.

6. Procedures

a. Decision-making
Decisions of the WGWM are taken by rough consensus.  Consensus does not
implied 100% unanimity by all members of the WGWM, but reflects what is
accepted to be the general view of the group as a whole as determined by the
WG chairs and vetted with the group.  Where consensus is not possible, the
WGWM will simply report on the result of the discussions among the group and
the range of views expressed.

b. Online decision-making
Online decisions are taken by rough consensus. The online decision-making
process is as follows:
i) Engagement in open virtual consultation
(discussion/debate/exchanges/etc),
ii) Afterwards the facilitators shall circulate a clearly marked subject
heading (e.g. “Proposal A – Comments by 31.March”) with a timeframe of
between 2-4 weeks for input and comments by all participants.
iii) The new text, incorporating all comments, will be distributed as a
rough consensus.

c. Chairing
The WG has two “facilitators” whose principal roles are: to moderate the
discussion among the participants, to ensure a smooth and constructive
discussion, to compile the general ideas and to generate drafts for
discussion. They can intervene on content during discussions, as long as a
functioning speakers’ list is respected. The facilitation of the physical
meetings will be decided at the beginning of every PrepCom, and would
generally be the responsibility of the online facilitators.

d. Validation of this Charter
This charter shall be reviewed, evaluated and validated 12 months after its
adoption and the date stated below.

            21 November 2005



===============================================
RIK PANGANIBAN       Communications Coordinator
Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations
(CONGO)
web: http://www.ngocongo.org
email: rik.panganiban at ngocongo.org
mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524


* Information on the WSIS at http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis
* Information on Millennium+5 at http://www.ngocongo.org/mdg