What are the operating principles for the Network?

Following is a statement of operating principles for the Network.

WGC Sustainability Research Network Statement of Operating Principles:

• The network will work in an open communication style that discourages competitive behaviour;
• The network will be open to participants from all Organisations interested in Sustainability Research in the WGC Regions;
• The network will operate largely as a virtual network with opportunities to meet face to face several times a year;
• The participants in the network will work together to raise awareness of R&D needs in the regions, develop proposals as appropriate and communicate research results;
• The Network will not be a legal entity and will not make representations on behalf of its participants;
• There will be no charge to join the network.

Research Themes:

The Research network will deal with the broad issue of sustainability, research themes will include but not be limited to: Climate, Socioeconomic, Water, Biodiversity, Land & Landscapes and Estuarine, Coastal & Marine.

Geographical coverage:

The network’s interest is on research that contributes to sustainability outcomes in the Wimmera, Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite Regions.

Structure:

The Network is run by a Steering Committee with an annually rotating chair. The Committee will determine its own protocols and processes with the attached Terms of Reference provided as a starting point. The Committee currently comprises representatives from 3 CMAs, 2 University and 1 from the Department of Sustainability & Environment. Membership is restricted to a maximum of 8 people with 2 positions reserved for industry staff. The committee is currently seeking nominations from industry staff.

Nominations are welcome at any time and can be forwarded to the Executive Officer.

Support:

Executive support for the first year will be supplied by Corangamite CMA. The network web page will be hosted by Corangamite CMA for the first 12 months of the Network’s operation. This arrangement will be reviewed after 12 months.

Options for Participation:

Participant Level:
To participate in the Network an organisation needs only to nominate an individual to receive information and opportunities. This individual will not need to commit time to running the network but rather be a communicator; for example, if an opportunity arises the individual will commit to identify who in the Organisation can say “yes we would like to be involved and find out more” or “no this is not an opportunity that we wish to be involved in”. A participant will be notified of all network events, meetings etc. There are no costs of joining as a participant apart from those costs of travelling to participate in Network events and the time commitment on the part of the Organisation’s nominated person.

Steering Committee Level:
The steering committee will be the life blood of the network ensuring that opportunities, events and information are disseminated. Individuals nominated for the Steering Committee should ideally have networking and/or R&D planning and development as part of their role within their Organisation. There are no costs of joining the Network as a steering committee member apart from the commitment of time and travelling expenses when the committee meets face to face.