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Committee Mission

Holden Village Science and Technology Committee
Guidelines Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Holden Village Science and Technology Committee seeks

  • To provide information and expertise in sustaining a viable municipality
  • To provide technical assistance to the Holden Village Management on request
  • To suggest possible directions for a vision of Holden’s long-range future
  • To strengthen Holden’s educational program through teaching, projects, publications, and internships.

Mission

The Holden Village Science and Technology Committee (the Committee) provides advice, information, and ideas to the Holden Village Management (Operations Manager, Business Manager, and Directors), as requested, to support the mission of Holden Village. The Committee is an advisory group and will not make decisions affecting Holden Village policy, priorities, or budget.

The conversations that take place during the bi-annual meetings are at the core of the Committee’s contribution to the Village. Many helpful ideas are generated when an eclectic interdisciplinary group discusses complex topics and brainstorms solutions to operational issues. By joining the Holden Village Science and Technology Committee, you are making yourself available for advice and consultation.

The Holden Village Science and Technology Committee serves as an important depositary of institutional memory. It is a great gift to the Village when members serve over many years and through many changes in Village staff and management. Staff with new energy and unique gifts are continually arriving as others move on. This constant changeover must be balanced by those who can remember what has worked in the past and what has not. The Science and Technology Committee can provide a degree of continuity to Holden Village operations.

The Committee will strive to communicate with, educate, and include the greater Holden Village community in all that they do. The value of the committee’s work can be increased when it is shared and transported out of the Village with our guests and staff. Holden Operations has traditionally been a laboratory for environmentally conscious and innovative procedures and systems. One of the Committees roles is to encourage innovation and to share what we have learned with the greater Holden Village community.

Membership

The Holden Village Science and Technology Committee is a group of individuals who are dedicated to the mission of Holden Village and who volunteer their expertise to Holden Village. Some members have special skills or experience, which can benefit the village. Other members have long association with and/or knowledge of the Village and wish to continue contributing. Membership is open to everyone who wishes to volunteer their time and energy.

In order to be considered a member of the Science and Technology Committee, simply inform the chair to include your name on the membership roster. Our mailing list and our membership roster shall be identical. Members, who miss four consecutive meetings, will be asked if they wish to remain members and to continue receiving the minutes. It is acknowledged that some members cannot attend meetings or be active workgroup members, but still can provide valuable contributions. Members are encouraged to contribute in any way that they are able.

Members are encouraged to invite others to join the committee. A personal invitation to someone who may have interest, skills, or experience keeps the committee strong and vital.

Membership List

The chair shall arrange for a list to be maintained of all current members. This list will include name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, E-mail address, and workgroup membership. A brief description of each member’s area of interest and credentials will also be included.

Minutes will be mailed, faxed, or E-mailed to all members following each meeting and prior to the next meeting. Members who are unable to attend are encouraged to comment on subjects discussed at the meeting and to volunteer for tasks outlined in the minutes. The Committee membership list is a valuable resource and these members are often asked to advise Holden Village Management during the year.

Workgroups

Members are invited to join one of the Committee’s organized workgroups. Workgroups are formed to meet the continuing needs of the Village. The emphasis of workgroups may change over time based on these needs.
Workgroup members have an interest or experience in the workgroup area, are available for consultation between meetings, and work on special projects as requested. Workgroups will work to carry out the educational goals of the Committee. Workgroups will select a team leader to coordinate meetings, research, and communication between workgroup members and the Committee chair.
Each workgroup will have an opportunity to meet during the Committee’s bi-annual meetings. Additional meetings are encouraged and can be accomplished via e-mail and tele-conference.

Workgroups can accomplish a lot of important work for the Village. Workgroups can provide greater support and expertise than the Village can normally afford. Current workgroups include:

  1. Water/Wastewater (water quality, filtration, and distribution - sewer)
  2. Buildings and grounds (structural engineering, architectural design, energy efficiency, lawns and gardens)
  3. Energy (Hydro, firewood, fuel oil, and alternative energy sources)
  4. Site and environmental management (Mine, fuel handling, and remediation)
  5. Resource support (all other areas)Meetings

The Holden Village Science and Technology Committee shall meet at least twice a year. One meeting shall take place outside the Village and occur in mid-winter. This meeting has typically taken place on a Saturday at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington.

One meeting shall take place at Holden Village and occur in late summer. This meeting has typically been over a weekend with members arriving on a Friday and leaving on a Sunday. Holden Village will provide two days of meals and lodging for each rostered member and one guest (spouse, child, or friend). Reservations must be received thirty days in advance and marked: Science and Technology Committee – nonpay. Those who are in a financial position to do so are encouraged not to take advantage of this benefit and pay normal guest fees.

All meetings shall be open to non-members and visitors.

Committee Leadership

The chair of the Holden Village Science and Technology Committee shall:

  • Chair the bi-annual meetings
  • Work with Holden Village Operations Manager on setting agenda
  • Work to recruit members with experience in areas of Village need
  • Carry overall responsibility for guiding the Committee in effective work

The chair shall arrange for:

  • The taking and mailing of the minutes
  • Maintaining a Committee computer bulletin board or web page
  • Maintain an up to date mailing/membership list

Orientation of new members

The vice-chair shall serve in place of the chair when the chair is unavailable. The vice-chair shall perform other duties as requested by the chair. It is encouraged that the chair and vice-chair act as a team.

Terms for chair and vice-chair shall be three years. Elections will be held every third summer meeting for the chair and every third winter meeting for the vice-chair creating staggered terms. Whenever possible, elections will not coincide with changes in Holden Village management. Nominations shall be taken from the floor during the meeting before the scheduled election or in writing prior to the scheduled election. A minimum of two nominations for each position is required for an election to be held. Elections will be by simple majority vote, using written ballots, of all rostered members in attendance. There are no term limits.

Notice of an election to fill an unscheduled vacancy will be sent to all members and nominations will be accepted by mail. The election will be held at the next scheduled Committee meeting.
Holden Village Operations Manager

The Holden Village Operations Manager shall represent Holden Village Management on the Committee and serve as a liaison between the Committee and the Village. A Director will participate whenever possible.

The Holden Village Operations Manager shall attend, or appoint someone to attend, all regularly scheduled meetings of the Science and Technology Committee. The Holden Village Operations Manager will work closely with the Committee Chair to direct the energies of the Committee to those areas of greatest Village need.
The Holden Village Operations Manager shall work to provide the Committee with the information and direction that it needs to effectively do its work.

These guidelines may be altered by a consensus of the Committee, as discussed during a scheduled meeting, and approved by the Holden Village Management.

March 13, 2002 - KG