Updated October 2020
SECTION 27 RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD
27.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Research Advisory Board (RAB) is an external advisory body that provides guidance and review of the Society’s engagement with the research community, formed in accordance with Article XII of the Bylaws.
The purpose of the RAB is to help the Society build its relevance to researchers in computer science, computer engineering, and related fields, by serving as an advisory body to guide the development of Society products and services relevant to the research audience and by reviewing the Society’s plans that engage researchers. The RAB will also assist in the dissemination of the Society’s information and help the Society increase mindshare within the academic community.
27.2 MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION
27.2.1 Membership
Qualifications
RAB members must be committed researchers who lead in the creation of new knowledge and technologies related to computer hardware, software, and systems. The RAB will maintain a membership drawn from diverse backgrounds including both academic and industry researchers. The RAB membership will reflect the global nature of the computing research community.
The majority of RAB members cannot be current members of the Board of Governors.
27.2.2 Selection Process
Any member of the RAB can sponsor a nomination for membership. Calls for nominations will be made when RAB membership falls below seven persons, or if the group agrees to expand the population. Nominations will be accepted throughout the year.
One month prior to a scheduled RAB meeting, all nominees must submit a two-page biography to the RAB to enable consideration of the nomination.
Membership will be determined by vote of the current RAB membership. Voting on nominations may occur electronically. In order for a motion to pass under either procedure, the number of ballots received by the secretary must be equal to a majority (greater than 50%) of the number of franchised members of the RAB, and the number of affirmative ballots must be a majority of the ballots cast.
27.2.3 Society Representation
The Society President and the Executive Director will be non-voting members of the RAB.
27.2.4 Term of Service and Participation
Members serve two-year terms that can be renewed once (allowing for at most four years of service on the board).
Members must actively participate to help guide and develop the future of the Society and its products and services. RAB members must participate in at least 50% of the scheduled meetings per year.
27.3 ORGANIZATION
27.3.1 RAB Chairs
There shall be two co-chairs of the RAB. One RAB Chair shall be elected by a majority of RAB voting members (excluding non-voting Society Representatives). The elected Chair shall serve a term of two years.
The other RAB Chair will be appointed at the beginning of each year by the Society President from among the members of the Board of Governors and Executive Committee, with consent of the elected Chair. The appointed RAB Chair can be re-appointed but may serve no more than two one-year terms in total.
The Chairs together shall: (a) work with the Society leadership to obtain agreement on topics and issues to be addressed by the RAB; (b) establish the agenda for regular meetings; (c) facilitate RAB meetings and discussions; (d) ensure that results of RAB activities are communicated to the Society; and (e) report annually to the Board of Governors on the activities of the RAB.
27.3.2 Secretariat
The Society shall provide an RAB Secretariat function. The Secretariat shall: (a) assist the Chair in the organization and scheduling of meetings; (b) record and publish minutes of each meeting; (c) create and maintain the RAB membership roster; and (d) be responsible for the management and distribution of RAB documentation.
27.4 OPERATING PROCEDURES
27.4.1 Topics and Agenda
The RAB will operate by developing advice and recommendations to the Society on selected topics of interest. These topics will be Society current needs and/or RAB areas of interest. Thus, topics will be identified in one of two ways:
(1) The RAB originates an idea and develops a recommended course of action for the Society (e.g., recommendation for a new product or service offering), or
(2) The Society brings ideas and topics to the RAB for review and comment (e.g., draft Society strategic plans).
In either case, the RAB and the Society Leadership will jointly agree on the topics or ideas to be developed because it is important that the areas selected are both of interest to the RAB and potentially of significant value to the Society. It is anticipated that the RAB will provide recommendations on two to three topics annually.
Final recommendations in a topic area will be reviewed by all RAB and both majority and minority (if there is no consensus) opinions will be communicated to the Society leadership.
27.4.2 Informing Program Policy
While the RAB cannot create legally binding policies for the Society, it provides advice on policies that may be enacted by the Board.
27.4.3 Planning and Implementing Public Relations
The RAB, which includes influential industry, academic and government leaders, will, on occasion, promote Society products and services, mission, and core vision. The RAB provides advice and advocacy to ensure Society program vitality.
27.4.4 Meetings
The RAB shall hold meetings as needed to maintain ongoing dialog around key initiatives. There shall be at least bimonthly teleconferences. In-person meetings are allowed, but are not required.
27.4.5 Reporting
The RAB Chair shall deliver a summary report on RAB activities to the Board of Governors annually.
27.4.6 Confidentiality
To fulfill its purpose, the RAB must receive information proprietary to the Society, including advanced plans and strategies. The RAB shall hold such information in the strictest confidence and shall not disseminate such information without the expressed consent of the Executive Committee. The Society shall clearly identify any proprietary or other sensitive information that is disclosed to the RAB.
