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Canada (English) Change

OCLC Canada Advisory Council Charter

May 7th, 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the OCLC Canada Advisory Council (OCAC) is to provide advice and information to OCLC Canada on regional, national and international library issues. It is also to assure that OCLC Canada functions in a collaborative manner with Canadian organizations both in identifying opportunities and creating services.

This advice and information will be used to better meet the needs of member libraries located within Canada and the council will forward the results of these initiatives on a regular basis to OCLC senior management. OCAC will help OCLC Canada determine future directions including potential cooperation with other related organizations and initiatives. The Advisory Council shall specifically be involved in:

  • Advising OCLC Canada on planning and policy matters
  • Soliciting information from a wide variety of sources and sharing ideas, comments, suggestions and concerns with OCLC Canada
  • Being the key link between the Canadian membership and the OCLC Members Council
  • Advising OCLC Canada on services and products offered
  • Reviewing the results of member library satisfaction surveys at regular intervals
  • Advising OCLC Canada on how it can collaborate effectively with other library initiatives in Canada and globally
  • Providing support to OCLC Canada for its annual comprehensive regional planning efforts (solicit CARL, CULC and other key library association boards in the country)

Advisory Council Members

New Council members are appointed by the existing members with the help of the director of OCLC Canada. Both will assure a diverse representation with the goal of balancing the Council geographically, linguistically as well as by library type. There may be up to nine (9) members.

The OCLC Members Council delegates representing OCLC Canada will be a members of the OCAC.

OCAC delegates will select the Chair of the Advisory Council.

The Director of OCLC Canada Canada and up to two senior employees of OCLC are ex-officio members of the Advisory Council.

Duties of the OCAC Members

  1. Council members, except for authority and duties assigned by the Council itself, shall be equal in powers and responsibilities.
  2. Council members shall honestly endeavor to conduct the business of the Council by consensus and will work diligently to carry out the purpose of the Council.
  3. Council members who are unable to continue on the Council performing these duties conscientiously shall resign in writing (by a letter signed and sent to the Chair and director of OCLC Canada).
  4. Communicate with local and national constituencies in Canada about the activities of the Council and the OCLC Cooperative.
  5. Recommend nominations for OCLC Advisory Committees (REFAC, RSAC, CTSAC).

Term of Service

A member to the OCAC will be named for a three-year term. Any member is eligible to run for a second term after Council approval only once for a total of six consecutive years.

The term of the Chair of the Council will be established by the Council upon its selection but should ideally be for three years.

At a minimum, one new member should be replacing an existing member of the council for a three-year term every year.

Meetings

The OCAC will normally meet in person annually (fall). The location will be selected by the OCAC members to represent the profile of the members. The objective in changing location yearly is to allow OCAC and OCLC Canada staff to meet with OCLC Canada members and users of the cooperative throughout Canada.

The OCAC will meet twice per year, or more at the discretion of the chair, by conference call. These conference calls will precede the winter and spring Members Council meetings.

Minutes and outcomes of meetings will be prepared by the director of OCLC Canada and revised by the Chair. Minutes will be made publicly available.

Simultaneous interpretation into English and French will be made available when its provision is necessary. All Advisory Council documents will be available in both official languages.

OCLC Canada will provide secretariat functions (preparation of agenda, minutes, reports, etc.) for the Advisory Council. Additional correspondence can be maintained through electronic mail and phone meetings as needed.

Annual Review

The Advisory Council is responsible for reviewing its Charter annually to ensure continued relevance.

Travel and Conference Call Arrangements

OCLC Canada will reimburse transportation, food, and hotel expenses associated with the advisory council meetings, including ground transportation in and from the committee member's hometown. Travel and conference call arrangements will be communicated to the members by OCLC Canada.