Draft Terms of Reference
ACCESS Operational Processes Committee (AOPC)

The general role of the AOPC is to co-ordinate and oversee the development and dissemination of operational processes, products and activities that fall under the aegis of the ACCESS consortium. The purpose of the committee is to co-ordinate activities and programmes among the components of the ACCESS consortium in order to pool resources, co-ordinate data, develop and manage suitable outputs, and provide a series of products and services for dissemination for scientists, industry, government and the general public.

The committee will:
a) Mandate the proposed annual programme of operational processes and activities and associated budget, and review the annual report of chair,
b) Report to the ACCESS Steering committee,
c) Appoint task teams comprising appropriate scientists and technicians from the components of the ACCESS consortium to design, implement and oversee a programme of activities leading to the production of a range of operational products for dissemination,
d) Liaise and consult with the appropriate agencies in southern Africa in order to identify and disseminate
e) Support and promote the various dissemination tools developed (websites, workshops, courses etc.)
f) Represent the ACCESS consortium in other fora, meetings and symposia.

Composition:
The committee will comprise the ACCESS Manager and one representative from each of the official members of the ACCESS consortium. The committee will elect a chair from one of the official members of the ACCESS consortium who will serve for 2 consecutive meetings where after a new chair will be elected on a rotational basis (every 12 months). Sub-committees and/or task teams may be formed as required. Ad hoc (non-voting) members of the committee may be admitted by the chair of the committee and new (voting) members can be admitted with the consent of the ACCESS Steering Committee.

Administration:
The AETC will meet minimally twice each year at a venue agreed upon at the previous meeting. Ad-hoc and extra-ordinary meetings, workshops etc, may be called by the chair. The meetings must be co-ordinated by the chair and a record of all deliberations and decisions must be kept. Minutes of the preceding meeting must be reviewed at each committee meeting and posted thereafter on the ACCESS website.