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Notes from the SCAR President, number 38 (9 June 2011)

2011 ExCom Meeting - Agenda Item 2.3.4 - Functioning of SCAR SSGs

Colleagues,

In just a few short weeks SCAR's Executive Committee will meet in Edinburgh, UK after the ISAES XI meeting. In the next few Presidential Notes, I draw your attention to important agenda items that will be considered and ask you to provide any comments or input you would like your ExCom to consider. I also direct you to the "Members Only" Section of the SCAR website where the meeting agenda and associated papers are being posted. If there are other items you wish to comment on, please do so by emailing myself and Mike Sparrow. Since each agenda item has an associated paper that details the issue to be considered, I will only provide a summary of the most important recommendations in these notes.

Functioning of SCAR SSGs - It is essential that the SCAR Standing Scientific Groups (Geosciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences) be engaged in all aspects of SCAR and that mechanisms be put in place to capitalize on opportunities to consult with and receive advice from the scientific communities that SCAR serves. It is vital that the Delegates receive useful and informative advice and recommendations to assist in setting priorities and allocating resources. The SSGs are the "brain trust" that fuels all that SCAR does as an organization. The following changes in procedures are recommended:

  1. SSG COs will submit draft meeting reports two months in advance of the biennial business meetings.
  2. SSG COs will submit draft budget requests two months in advance of the biennial business meetings.
  3. SSG biennial meetings will be used to refine and update the meeting report and agree on final budget requests.
  4. SSGs will be asked to set aside time to discuss new frontiers and emerging issues during biennial meetings to provide input to the broader "Horizon Scanning" activities being initiated by SCAR.
  5. SSGs will be asked to take a more active role in monitoring the progress of and identifying new Scientific Research Programs by adding an agenda item on this issue at their biennial meetings. Specific recommendations as to acceptability, performance, and prioritization of proposed SRPs are to be provided to the Delegates meeting.
  6. SSGs are to conduct biennial reviews of all subsidiary groups to assess performance and make recommendations about improvements, continuation, or cessation of groups, recognizing that limited resources may entail the end of one activity before another can be approved.

These changes are expected to improve strategic advice and recommendations from the SSGs for Delegate decision-making while facilitating optimal allocation of resources. Improved communication of scientific priorities will assure that SCAR anticipates new directions and emerging issues. Under-spending of allocated funds will decrease resulting in more efficient and timely re-allocation of resources. Early submission of budget requests will allow the Finance Committee (which will also be constituted and convened two months prior to the biennial meetings) to construct realistic budget scenarios for consideration by the Delegates.

Your comments on this issue and the recommendations are appreciated.

Shortly, your SCAR team (C Kennicutt, M Sparrow, R Badhe, S Chown, and J Lee) will be attending the XXXIV ATCM in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We are looking forward to a very busy agenda!

Chuck K.,
President of SCAR

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