The Quilt Charter
DRAFT - September 13, 2001
(Download Word copy)
The Quilt is a project of the University Corporation for Advanced
Internet Development (UCAID).
MISSION
The project will provide a forum for communication, coordination,
other interactions and activities between non-profit advanced
regional network organizations, UCAID, and other organizations
dedicated to advancing research and education in the United States
by
(a) promoting a broad range of advanced networking services to
their constituents, including network engineering, management, and
operation; regional connectivity and exchange; promotion and
coordination of regional activities; and
(b) facilitating innovative and successful activities and
productive working relationships.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The Quilt's specific purposes and objectives are to
(a) promote advanced network services to the broadest possible
research and educational community;
(b) promote end-to-end continuity, consistency, reliability,
interoperability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the
development and delivery of advanced network services by means which,
at the same time, reflect the diversity of its participants and
foster innovation; and
(c) represent the participants' common interests to other UCAID
projects, backbone network service providers, industry, government,
standard-setting organizations, and other organizations involved in
or influencing the development and delivery of advanced network
services.
PARTICIPANTS
The initial project participants shall consist of representatives
of the following organizations:
Corporation for Education Network Initiative in California (CENIC),
EDUCAUSE,
Front Rage Gigapop (FRGP),
Great Plains Network (GPN),
Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX),
Merit Network, Inc.(Merit),
Metropolitan Research and Education Network (MREN),
North Carolina Gigapop,
Net.Work.Virginia,
Northern Crossroads (NoX),
NYSERNet,
OARnet,
Pacific/Northwest Gigapop (PNWGP),
Pittsburgh GigaPop,
Southern Crossroads (SoX),
Southeastern Research Universities Association (SURA),
Texas GigaPop.
STEERING COMMITTEE
A Steering Committee shall oversee and direct the project, make
recommendations to UCAID on candidates to be hired as Project
Director as well as the terms of the Project Director's employment,
provide guidance to and evaluate the performance of the Project
Director. The Steering Committee will be self governing, will
establish its own rules and other procedures consistent with this
Charter, and will select its own Chair and other positions. The
Steering Committee shall consist of one representative from each
project participant. The Project Director shall be an ex-officio
member of the Steering Committee without vote. The Steering Committee
shall meet at least four times a year in person or by other means.
Additional Steering Committee meetings may be called by the Chair
of the Steering Committee, the Project Director, or at the request
of any three members of the Steering Committee.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
An Executive Committee shall oversee the project and provide guidance
to the Project Director between meetings of the Steering Committee
reporting to the Steering Committee at its succeeding meeting any
action(s) taken. The Executive Committee will consist of the Chair
of the Steering Committee, the immediate past Chair of the Steering
Committee, if the past Chair remains a member of the Steering
Committee, the Project Director, at least three (3), but no more
than five (5), additional members of the Steering Committee as
determined annually by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee
may designate the Chairs of any Committees, Working Groups, or
other UCAID staff as non-voting ex-officio members of the Executive
Committee. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by
one or more Executive Committee members. Vacancies on the Executive
Committee may be filled at any meeting of the Steering Committee.
CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, and OTHER POSITIONS
The Steering Committee will annually select a Chair from its members.
The Chair shall preside over meetings of the Steering Committee
and the Executive Committee. The Steering Committee may select a
Vice Chair or any other positions it deems necessary to carry out
its activities. The Vice Chair shall serve in place of the Chair
when the Chair is not available. In the interests of continuity,
the Vice Chair will be expected to succeed to the Chairship when
the incumbent Chair leaves the position. Vacancies in the positions
of Chair, Vice Chair, or any other positions may be filled at any
meeting of the Steering Committee.
PROJECT DIRECTOR
The Project Director will receive direction from the project
Steering Committee and project Executive Committee through the
Chair of the project Steering Committee.
The Project Director will provide the leadership, outreach,
coordination, technical direction, and financial management necessary
to advance the mission and goals of the project. Working closely
with the project Steering Committee, Executive Committee, and Chair
of the Steering Committee the Project Director will:
- provide leadership and direction for the project's programs
and activities;
- develop and extend the mission and goals of the project;
- build new and strengthen existing alliances, partnerships and
joint ventures with leading technology companies, telecommunications
providers, regional and national advanced network initiatives,
leading research and educational institutions, state and
federal governments and the educational networking community
in general to promote and advance the project's mission and
goals;
- manage and coordinate project activities with other UCAID
projects and activities;
- manage the project budget;
- seek sponsored or other funding in support of the project's
programs and activities;
- develop reports and presentations to enhance the educational networking
community's understanding of the Quilt's projects, mission and goals.
- direct the planning and scheduling of project meetings and workshops;
- manage the project's public image - website, print material, mail
lists etc.;
- represent the project within local, regional, and national
network technology related associations and organizations; and
- undertake other duties as assigned by the project Steering
Committee or UCAID.
In the event of a conflict between the direction or guidance received
from the project Steering Committee, project Executive Committee,
or Chair and the direction or guidance received from UCAID, the
Project Director will inform the Chair of the project Steering
Committee and the appropriate UCAID leadership and ask them to meet
and resolve the matter and provide direction or guidance that does
not conflict.
The project will operate within a project plan and budget established
from time to time by UCAID in cooperation with and managed by the
Project Director in consultation with the project Steering Committee.
No financial commitments beyond the funding and scope of activities
provided for in the established budget will be made without the
advanced written approval of UCAID.
PARTICIPATION
The Executive Committee shall recommend requirements for participation
in the Quilt Project. Upon approval by the Steering Committee,
the requirements will be made publicly available. The Executive
Committee shall recommend all requests and nominations for participation
in the Quilt, with final approval by the Steering Committee.
Any Quilt participating organization that dissolves their organization,
or for any other reason wishes to no longer participate in the
Quilt, should notify the Quilt Executive Director in writing within
a reasonable time period.
COMMITMENTS ON BEHALF OF UCAID
Neither the project Steering Committee, project Executive Committee,
Steering Committee Chair, or any other project participant other
than the Project Director may make commitments, financial or
otherwise, on behalf of UCAID without UCAID's explicit written
approval given in advance. The Project Director may only make
commitments on behalf of UCAID according to policies and procedures
established by UCAID.
TERM
The project and its charter will be reviewed every year by mutual
agreement between UCAID and the project Steering Committee.
The project may be terminated by UCAID or by the project Steering
Committee with six months advance notice.
The project may be terminated at any time by mutual agreement
between UCAID and the project Steering Committee.
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