Status
Women In Nuclear Global (here after referred to as WIN) is
a worldwide association of individuals, focusing on women,
working professionally in various fields of nuclear energy
and radiation applications. The members have a common commitment
to provide information and communicate with the public. It
is established as non-profit making. The working language
of WIN is English.
Vision
To make the public aware, especially women, of the benefits
of nuclear and radiation applications and of the safety that
ensures protection of the public and the environment.
Mission
- WIN aims to develop a dialogue with the public to
promote awareness about the factual contribution to people
and society from nuclear technologies.
- WIN aims to contribute to knowledge and experience
exchange among members and chapters.
- WIN aims to promote career interest in nuclear engineering,
science and other nuclear-related professions, especially
among women and young people.
Goals and Objectives
- To meet regularly to exchange ideas, information, and experience
between members and between WIN chapters.
- To establish WIN chapters in as many locations around
the world as possible.
- To create bridges between members in the spirit of
equal opportunity and the free exchange of ideas.
- To share or create informational techniques and materials
for international use.
Membership
WIN is open to any individual involved in the factual promotion
of nuclear technologies who conducts themselves in a professional
manner and pledges to adhere to the mission and goals of this
charter. By decision of the Board WIN can accept associate
members and establish relationships with independent organizations.
All affiliates must have objectives consistent with those
of WIN but may have separate charters and member requirements.
Associate members cannot vote. A membership application is
required for any individual seeking to join WIN and must include
the endorsement of one Board member or two WIN members.
Structure
WIN in the context of this Charter refers to the global organization
of individuals. Independent WIN groups or chapters are recognized
by WIN and are represented in the various components of the
structure and voting practices of the organization.
The constitutional authorities of WIN are:
- The General Assembly
- The Board
- The Executives
- The President
- The Secretariat
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is held once a year. It is held in connection
with the annual WIN meeting, and is open to all WIN members,
Associate members, and invited members of the public. The
WIN President will direct and Chair the proceedings.
The General Assembly has the power to amend the Charter, to
affirm the Board members determined by the member Chapter,
to elect the President, to decide membership fees when necessary
and to dissolve the Association. The General Assembly is most
often used to provide information to the members or affirm
a recommendation from the Board. A simple verbal response
by the assembly is required to conduct official business in
affirming Board recommendations. In the event an issue requires
a vote of the members a role call vote of the attendees must
be taken to ensure that only members are voting. Members not
in attendance during a formal role call vote at the General
Assembly will be permitted to cast their vote by email within
30 days. In the case of dissolving the association a more
formal recorded response from each member is required. All
business issues brought before the General Assembly for a
vote must be the result of a Board recommendation or as directed
by the President and the Executives.
The location for the General Assembly and annual meeting is
to be determined by the WIN President and approved by the
Board. It must rotate global location to provide opportunity
for all members to attend.
The Board
The Board is the working core of the Association. Every recognized
WIN chapter or organization may be represented by one voting
delegate. A chapter or organization is defined to be a regularly
meeting assembly of members in good standing of WIN. All such
chapters or organizations must be officially recognized and
affirmed by the Board. In general chapters recognized as Board
members are organized by country. Board members however may
represent independent international organizations such as
the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA). A candidate
for the Board must be identified to the WIN President and
provided for affirmation to the current Board at least two
months prior to the identified deadline for a decision. The
members of the Board also include the WIN Executives and the
WIN President. An individual may serve concurrently as an
Executive and Board member but would have only a single vote
on any matter. The WIN President will Chair all interactions.
The Board has the power to make recommendations to the General
Assembly to amend the Charter, to make recommendations to
the General Assembly to elect the President, to approve the
appointment of Executives, to accept associate members, to
establish relationships with independent organizations, to
decide membership fees when necessary and to dissolve the
Association.
A single delegate from each recognized WIN chapter or organization
is recognized as the Board member and permitted to cast a
single vote on business matters brought before the Board.
The process for selection of the delegate is determined by
the organization being represented. There is no limit on the
time an individual member may serve on the Board. In the event
the official Board member is not able to attend a meeting
an alternate may substitute provided the WIN President and
Secretariat are notified prior to the meeting.
In addition to the chapter delegate, voting members of the
Board include the WIN President and WIN Executives. The WIN
President or WIN Executive may or may not concurrently represent
a Chapter. The WIN President or WIN Executive will, however
be permitted only a single vote on any matter brought before
the Board.
A quorum of a simple majority of members must be present in
a co-located meeting for any actions to become binding within
the organization. An email vote with participation by a simple
majority of members may constitute a quorum in the event that
a simple co-located majority is not achieved. In a case of
a tie vote the WIN President and Executives will determine
the outcome. The only exception is in regards to any action
to dissolve the Association. This action must be by 100 percent
approval of the recognized WIN Board members prior to moving
to recommend action by the General Assembly.
Past WIN Presidents may participate in all Board activities
including voting. Past WIN Presidents will not be included
in the quorum count.
The Board will conduct a co-located meeting two times a calendar
year. One of meetings is to be held at the same time as the
General Assembly. The second to be connected to a recognized
industry meeting, for instance during the annual Public Information
Materials Exchange, PIME communication conference. Additional
meetings may be called throughout the year at the direction
of the President. Board members finance themselves.
The organization hosting the Secretariat may be represented
on the Board with one vote.
The Executives
Within the Board there is an International Executive Committee
with no fewer than eight and no more than fifteen members,
including the WIN President. There should be equitable geographic
representation from the global organization on the Committee.
The Executives are responsible for providing oversight on
issues that require immediate action or are of a sensitive
nature as determined by the President. The Executives are
responsible for facilitating communication between the members
in their geographic areas as the Association continues to
grow. They will work at the direction of the President and
in cooperation with the Secretariat to ensure timely and accurate
information is distributed to members. A quorum of a simple
majority of members must be present in a co-located meeting
for any actions to become binding for the organization. An
email vote with participation by a simple majority of members
may constitute a quorum. The WIN President will Chair the
Executives and cast the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
The WIN President is responsible for identifying candidates
for Executive membership. Executive members are approved by
the WIN Board. A candidate for the Executives must be identified
to the WIN President and provided for affirmation by the Board
at least two months prior to the identified deadline for a
decision. Executive members may serve a maximum of three consecutive
two year-terms. Executive members finance themselves.
The President
The WIN President is recommended by the Board and elected
by the General Assembly. The WIN President may serve a maximum
of two, two year-terms. The President shall chair the General
Assembly, the Board, and the Executives. The President will
conduct the general business of the Association. The WIN President
will finance herself.
A candidate for WIN President should have served on the Board
and receive endorsement from the Executives prior to a vote.
Candidates for WIN President must be identified to a member
of the Executives. The candidate(s) for WIN President must
be provided for vote to the Board at least two months prior
to the identified deadline for a decision.
In the event that the WIN President is no longer able to serve,
a member will be selected from the Executives as an interim
President. It is expected that a candidate(s) will be identified
for WIN President and an election held within one year of
a sitting President leaving office prior to completing the
designated term. A member of the Executives approved by the
Board will chair a committee to solicit candidates for WIN
President.
The Secretariat
The responsibilities of the Secretariat include maintaining
the membership list, writing and distributing minutes of all
meetings, maintaining the member website, and distribution
of general Association correspondence. The Secretariat reports
directly to the WIN President.
Finance
WIN proposes to work independently with as little funds as
possible. The President as well as the Board members and Executives
finances themselves until international sponsors are identified
to host not only annual meetings but also support the President.
Special projects shall be funded by the interested parties.
Event fees will be levied only when necessary and with the
approval of the Board.
Charter and By-Laws Updates
The WIN Charter and By-Laws must be reviewed and reaffirmed
or updated when needed or at a minimum of once every 10 years.
A committee comprised of Board members will be established
by the request of the WIN President and charged with conducting
the review. The committee will provide the results of their
review and any recommendations to the Executives for comment,
further direction, or distribution to the entire Board. Any
permanent changes to this Charter and By-Laws will require
approval by the General Assembly.
Charter and By-Laws Annex
WIN Communication Strategy
WIN has to put nuclear energy and nuclear safety in perspective.
Our communication has to be factual, open and honest. We have
to communicate everything from a human perspective. Effective
communication is a balanced integration of emotion and reason
in informing people by people on three different levels: ethical
values and emotions, economics and the technical and scientific
level.
Key messages for communication are as follows:
- Radiation is part of our life since its creation.
Used in the right way, it is beneficial.
- Nuclear industry cares for the environment in all
its activities.
- Nuclear energy can make an important contribution
towards a sustainable energy supply for the future of the
world.
- Safety issues are universal. Managing nuclear technologies
are not free of risks. The Nuclear industry recognizes the
responsibility and has a unique safety culture. We cooperate
internationally with openness and knowledge management to
further develop security and safety.
- Safety is not only a technical issue, but also an
emotional feeling.
Memorandum of Co-operation
A Memorandum of Cooperation, or as more commonly known a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU), template is available. A MOU may be
requested by any member of WIN and is intended to provide
opportunities to enhance member communication, education,
and collaboration with other organizations with similar goals.
It is established through the interaction and direction of
the WIN President, and as applicable the Board Member affiliated
with the country in which the MOU candidate is established,
working with the requesting WIN member. The Board must approve
all MOUs prior to finalization.
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