1. GCOOS Governance Team Andrew Clark, Harris Corporation Cortis Cooper, ChevronTexaco Ann Jochens, Texas A&M University Buzz Martin, Texas General Land Office Frank Muller-Karger, University of South Florida Worth Nowlin, Texas A&M University (Chair) Jim O'Brien, Florida State University Don Roman, University of Southern Mississippi David Yeager, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program GCOOS Stakeholders Meeting January 24, 2005

2. Recommended Initial Governance Structure Memorandum of Agreement

3. Parties (VI.c.) Institutions or individuals who are actively engaged in some aspect of coastal ocean observing system elements in the Gulf of Mexico or principal end-users of data, products, and services from coastal ocean observing system elements in the Gulf of Mexico

4. Parties are Signatories from State agencies Local government agencies Federal agencies Private industry Academic and/or research institutions or individual researchers Port or harbor authorities water management districts Non-governmental organizations Other entities with these characteristics

5. Functioning Bodies of the GCOOS-RA and Their Responsibilities (VI.b. and VII.)

6. Structure of the GCOOS Regional Association

7. Board of Directors 15 members elected by Parties Staggered elections for 3-year terms Decisions by consensus or majority vote Two meetings per year Other business by telephone, letter, or email

8. Board of Directors: Responsibilities –Establish fiscal policy –Approve and publish the GCOOS Business Plan –Provide policy guidance –Ensure sustained support by Parties –Approve implementing documents –Establish communication channels for ocean and coastal policy and management strategies

9. Executive Committee 5 members elected by the Board Lead by the Chair of the Board Provide executive leadership direction for the GCOOS-RA

10. GCOOS Office Official day-to-day representative of GCOOS-RA Personnel –Regional Coordinator –DMAC Coordinator –EOC Coordinator –Administrative assistance, as necessary Initial location: Texas A&M University

11. GCOOS Office Responsibilities Provide staff support to the Board, Councils, and Committees Coordinate the activities of GCOOS, existing and developmental Provide oversight to an Operations Center Support preparation of the Business Plan and budget Facilitate the dissemination of plans to stakeholders

12. Operations Center Provide oversight of observing and modeling elements Provide a focus for access, user feedback, and correction of difficulties Central point of contact available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week Manage daily GCOOS data operations and linkages between users and providers Establish and implement metrics to monitor flow of data through the system and initiate corrective actions as necessary

13. Stakeholder Council Appointed by the Board of Directors from stakeholders One member of the Board of Directors will serve on the Stakeholder Council Chair elected by Council members through election organized by Membership Committee Other officers, determined to be necessary by Council members, also will be elected by members

14. Stakeholder Council Responsibilities Provide advice to the Board on policies Provide recommendations on data and products –Identify potential new audiences –Provide input on how to improve –Recommend ways to disseminate Review/comment on the annual GCOOS Business Plan and associated budget

15. Education and Outreach Council (EOC) Appointed by the Board of Directors Representatives from formal, nonformal and informal education communities residing in the Gulf of Mexico region One member of the Board of Directors will serve on the EOC Chair elected by Council members through election organized by Membership Committee

16. Education and Outreach Council Responsibilities Guide and assist the GCOOS-RA in matters of education, outreach, and public awareness Develop, implement, and evaluate the EOC Plan for the GCOOS-RA Ensure consistency of GCOOS EOC Plan with GCOOS Business Plan and IOOS Development Plan

17. Membership Committee 3 Parties selected by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors Report to the Board for performance of duties Responsibilities –Organize and monitor all elections –Foster and develop membership –Organize and support the Stakeholder Council Interim Membership Committee for initial Board election: Landry Bernard, Robert Martin, Worth Nowlin

18. Data Management and Communications (DMAC) Committee Appointed by the GCOOS Board of Directors Chair elected by members of the Committee Responsibilities –Oversee development of GCOOS data management and communications activities –Ensure GCOOS DMAC is consistent with IOOS DMAC Plan –Recommend research or pilot projects to Board –Recommend DMAC activity updates for the GCOOS Business Plan

19. Observing Systems Committee Appointed by the GCOOS Board of Directors Chair elected by members of the Committee Responsibilities –Develop standards and QA/QC procedures for observing systems –Recommend technology improvements necessary to meet present and future user needs –Develop requirements for scientific research and pilot projects –Recommend to the Board annual updates to the GCOOS Business Plan for observational issues

20. Products and Services Committee Appointed by the GCOOS Board of Directors Chair elected by members of the Committee Responsibilities –Identify products and services necessary to meet user needs –Develop user input and feedback processes –Develop product and distribution mechanisms –Recommend to the Board research or pilot projects –Recommend to the Board updates to the Business Plan for user services and products

21. Structure of the GCOOS Regional Association (VI.b.)