ISOM and the future

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ISOM and the future

• A proposal for continuity, structuring and
  organisation
• by
• Marieke Rietveld Per Nieuwejaar

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BACKGROUND

• The International Research Ship Operators'
  Meeting (ISOM) is an informal annual meeting of
  managers of ocean research-ship fleets for the
  purpose of discussing subjects and solving
  problems of mutual interest.
• It is attended voluntarily and is hosted by and
  in participating countries. It does not work
  under any formal organisation. The
  organisational, and administrative work is
  carried out by the Secretary and the Host of the
  year who chairs the meeting. ISOM has been in
  existence under this formula since 1987.

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BACKGROUND continued

• ISOM has grown continuously since its first
  meeting in November 1987. Having started with 17
  representatives from 8 countries, the
  ISOM-network today consists of almost 70
  members from 25 countries and 4 international
  organisations.
• The informal organisation and structure of ISOM
  has always found great appreciation, but now ISOM
  has come of age, the time may have arrived to
  become more formalised and structured, and to
  split the heavy burden that is carried by Host
  and Secretary each year more evenly. Moreover,
  ISOM would find a more stable basis and gain
  continuity, when the amassed knowledge and
  know-how of the Secretary can be shared with
  other members.

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Would not we all like to make the ISOM the most
important annual event for every RV operator in
the world!

• How do we foresee to realise a more even division
  of work and sharing of know-how and knowledge, at
  the same time securing continuity?

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ORGANISATION
We propose that the present ISOM Secretary will
proceed as Chair for one term of three years,
and that ISOM will have a Vice Chair/Chair
Elect, who will take over a number of activities
from the Secretary.
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ORGANISATION continued

• The Vice Chair/Chair Elect will be elected at the
  ISOM by a majority vote or by acclamation for a
  three year term, to be followed by a three year
  term as Chair. Date of office shall commence at
  the start of the meeting.
• When the Chair steps down after her/his three
  year term (or earlier), the Vice Chair/Chair
  Elect will enter his/her three year term as
  Chair, and a new Vice Chair/Chair Elect will be
  chosen as mentioned under 1.

With this procedure knowledge and know-how can be
shared and continuity will be secured.
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ORGANISATION continued

• Any ISOM member is eligible. However, the
  nominated candidate(s) has/have been consulted
  beforehand and volunteer(s) to be elected to the
  job.
• The Chair and Vice Chair/Chair Elect perform
  their activities on a voluntary basis and at
  their expense. There is no funding within ISOM
  for indemnification of incurred costs.

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STRUCTURE
To realise a more evenly division of the work we
propose the following structure

• for hosting the meeting
• 1. Hosting the ISOM rotates among the members as
  is custom. Preference remains to choose the venue
  of the meeting alternately within a European
  country and a country outside Europe.
• 2. The ISOM member who hosts the meeting will
  arrange the accommodation, meeting facilities
  with victuals, and social programme. The Host can
  charge ISOM attendees for a contribution in the
  cost for subsistence to a maximum of 100 USD/EURO
  per attendee.

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STRUCTURE continued
for preparing and conducting the meeting

• 3. The Chair and Vice Chair/Chair Elect together
  will draft the agenda in consultation with the
  Host of the year and ISOM members.
• 4. The Chair shall preside the yearly ISOM.
• 5. The Vice Chair/Chair Elect shall take care of
  the ISOM minutes, the members' administration,
  and the dissemination of information to all
  members of ISOM.

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MATERIALIZING

• After extensive thought and discussing this issue
  together early this year, I am happy to announce
  the nominative candidate for Vice Chair/Chair
  Elect

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ISOM tandem