DIMENET Editorial Committee

Functions of the Editorial Committee

MISSION

To provide consumer controlled electronic communications and publications which are responsive to the needs of the independent living and disability rights movements.

ROLE OF THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

The Editorial Committee is responsible for:

• Receiving input from DIMENET members
• Providing guidance for and assisting with DIMENET information content development
• Providing guidance for and assisting with DIMENET system and software development

DIMENET Editorial Committee By-Laws

METHODS OF ACTION

The Editorial Committee will conduct business of the committee through an ongoing schedule of conference calls and electronic communications utilizing the DIMENET Editorial Committee newsgroup area.

The Committee and all sub-committees will utilize a consensus decision making process when possible. When consensus decisions are not possible, decisions will be made by a simple majority of a roll call vote. The Chairperson may cast a vote in order to break a tie vote.

OFFICERS

The Editorial Committee shall have a Chairperson and a Secretary. The Chairperson and Secretary shall be selected by a vote of the Editorial Committee members. The terms of office shall be for one year or until successors are chosen by the Editorial Committee.

The Chairperson shall be responsible for:

• Serving as Chairperson for all meetings of the Editorial Committee
• Appointing sub-committees of the Editorial Committee with the advice and consent of the Editorial Committee
• Coordinating activities of sub-committees with those of the Editorial Committee
• Appointing a member of the Editorial Committee to chair meetings in their absence.

The Secretary shall be responsible for:

• Producing minutes of all meetings of the Editorial Committee
• Maintaining the roster of Editorial Committee members
• Coordinating scheduling and payment for conference calls

CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP

DIMENET Host sites

All DIMENET Host Sites shall have the right to be present, be heard and cast votes at all meetings of the DIMENET Editorial Committee until such time as there are five DIMENET Host sites.

At the point there are five DIMENET Host sites a standing sub-committee of the Editorial Committee will be created of DIMENET Host System Operators. The Chairperson of DIMENET Host System Operators Committee and one other member, selected by the sub- committee members, shall serve as members of the Editorial Committee and represent the views of the sub-committee during Editorial Committee meetings.

National and International Organizations

• They are Consumer Controlled Disability organization, that have endorsed DIMENET.
• They will utilize DIMENET to communicate with their members via a newsgroup they maintain and will encourage their members and others to utilize DIMENET.
• They will assist in supporting the conference call expenses of the DIMENET Editorial Committee.
• They will submit an organizational resolution signed by a duly authorized representative to the Editorial Committee stating agreement with the above requirements.

Coalitions

• They are Consumer Controlled Disability organization that have endorsed DIMENET.
• They will utilize DIMENET to communicate with their members via a newsgroup they maintain.
• They will encourage their members and others to utilize DIMENET.
• They will assist in supporting the conference call expenses of the DIMENET Editorial Committee.
• They will submit an organizational resolution signed by a duly authorized representative to the Editorial Committee stating agreement with the above requirements.

At the point there are five Coalition members, a standing sub- committee of the Editorial Committee will be created of DIMENET Coalitions. The Chairperson of DIMENET Coalitions Committee and one other member, selected by the sub-committee members, shall serve as members of the Editorial Committee and represent the views of the sub-committee during Editorial Committee meetings.

Individuals

The Editorial Committee may add individual members to the Editorial Committee for specified terms by a vote of the Editorial Committee. Individuals will have a specific purpose or function within the Editorial Committee for the duration of their appointment.

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