This Appendix is intended to provide a starting point for task 1.1.
Composition of Panel
The Data and Information Management Panel should be composed of a core of Steering Committee members with expertise and experience in information management issues, and representatives from the designated GTOS Data Centres. The Panel can further be augmented by outside experts chosen from, for example, the GTOS Roster of Experts, from GCOS and GOOS, and from other bodies with common interests such as IGBP-DIS and WGISS.
To be effective the size of the Panel should strike a balance - large enough to have the range of expertise needed to span the likely issues, but not so large as to be unwieldy. A total of about 12 people might be considered with at least 4 coming from the Steering Committee. Membership should rotate on a regular basis.
Terms of Reference
The following should be included in the terms of reference for the Panel.
Responsibility for the current Work Programme items related to Data and Information.
Review and evolution of the GTOS Data and Information Plan - for approval of the Steering Committee and incorporation into the overall GTOS Implementation Plan.
Interaction with the Science (and other) Panels as required, for example to identify priority user data and information needs.
Representation of GTOS on the Joint Data and Information Panel - through designation of one or more Steering Committee members of the GTOS Panel.
Advising the Steering Committee on emerging Data and Information issues
Mode of Operation
Recognising the limited resources of GTOS, the Panel will be expected to conduct its work as much as possible by email communication and "electronic meetings". In person meetings would be most efficient if held in conjunction with other related events, such as Steering Committee meetings.
The Panel should be authorised to commission small task groups to address selected priority data and information issues, and prepare discussion papers or recommendations for the Panel. Task Group members need not be Panel Members, and Task "Groups" could consist of a single individual if appropriate.
