Safety Working Group By-Laws
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Activities are conducted on a taskforce (TF) basis. Characteristics of an active and effective taskforce include the following:
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A minimum of 4 members
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At least 2 different companies or organizations are represented
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Meetings are held on a regular basis
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There are well defined objectives and goals
Note: Ideally, the taskforce members should come from different disciplines.
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Taskforces are arranged under various workstreams (WS).
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Each WS should consist of at least 3 taskforces (TF). If there are less than 3 TFs, justification should be made why this is still a valid WS, as opposed to having the taskforces being consolidated into other WSs.
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Each WS should have 3 co-leads from industry, academic or non-profit organizations.
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An FDA scientific lead may be appointed to each of the WS. This position is not up for election but should be appointed by the FDA liaisons.
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If there are indeed less than 3 TFs, then the number of WS co-leads can be reduced to 2.
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WS co-leads should be members of at least one of the TFs. When there are more than 3 taskforces in a WS, future rotations should include representatives from the TFs that are not currently represented.
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Co-leads serve in their position for a maximum 3 year term. There should be one co-lead rotating off the position per year with one new co-lead joining at the same time.
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When there are 2 or more nominees for a co-lead position, an election will be held for that incoming co-lead position. The election of WS co-leads follow the Working Group co-chair election. A member can run for both WG co-chair and WS co-lead positions. Each term starts in January of the following year and ends in December three years afterwards.
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In the event that a co-lead vacancy occurs, the remaining co-leads shall appoint a qualified and current member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
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Workstreams are arranged under the overall working group (WG).
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The working group is overseen by 3 co-chairs who each serve a 3 year term. Each year one co-chair rotates off with a new co-chair elected for the incoming position.
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Generally, the call for co-chair nominations occurs in October, with an election held in November. The incoming co-chair can then attend the December co-chair meeting in order to facilitate the transition.
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In the event that a co-chair vacancy occurs, the remaining co-chairs shall appoint a qualified and current member to temporarily fill the vacancy until a new co-chair can be elected.