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Title: |
Dublin Core Metadata Initiative - Structure
and Operation
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Creator: |
Renato Iannella |
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Creator: |
Rachel Heery |
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Date Issued: |
1999-05-31 |
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Identifier: |
http://dublincore.org/documents/1999/05/31/dcmi-structure/ |
| Replaces: |
Not
Applicable |
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Is Replaced By: |
Not Applicable |
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Latest version: |
http://dublincore.org/documents/dcmi-structure/ |
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Status of document: |
This is a DCMI Working
Draft. |
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Description of document: |
This document outlines
a proposal for the structure and operation of the
Dublin Core Metadata Intiative [DCMI]. DCMI is
responsible for the development, standardisation
and promotion of the Dublin Core metadata element
set. With the continuing growth of international
and interdisciplinary interest in the Dublin Core
activity, it is now necessary to develop greater
formality around the organisational structure and
the decision making process. Providing explicit
process and structure is critical for sustaining
community confidence. The DCMI will be managed so
as to reflect the broad interests of diverse
stakeholders. This document should be read in
conjunction with the Dublin Core Process Document.
The Process Document details the operation of the
Working Groups and the procedures for the
development of proposals and recommendation
documents. |
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Table of Contents
Introduction
This document outlines a proposal for the structure
and operation of the Dublin Core Metadata Intiative [DCMI]. DCMI is responsible for the
development, standardisation and promotion of the
Dublin Core metadata element set. With the continuing
growth of international and interdisciplinary interest
in the Dublin Core activity, it is now necessary to
develop greater formality around the organisational
structure and the decision making process. Providing
explicit process and structure is critical for
sustaining community confidence. The DCMI will be
managed so as to reflect the broad interests of diverse
stakeholders. This document should be read in
conjunction with the Dublin Core Process Document [PROCESS]. The Process Document
details the operation of the Working Groups and the
procedures for the development of proposals and
recommendation documents.
Structure
This proposal seeks to clarify management
responsibility and decision making process. It
recommends:
- simplifying the committee structure by merging
the DC PAC and TAC into a single Advisory Committee
(DC-AC) consisting of DC Working Group Chairs and DC
Communtity Representatives
- appointing a Chair and Deputy Chairs for the
DC-AC
- introducing an Executive Group (DC-EG) made up of
the Directorate and Chairs of the DC-AC
- establishing a procedure for appointing the above
positions
This structure is shown in the Figure One below.
DC
General
Responsibility
To contribute to discussions related to the Dublin
Core Metadata Initiative including commenting on
proposals, raising technical and management issues,
and proposing new items for discussion.
Composition
Unlimited
Selection
Any interested person may join the DC General
mailing list.
DCMI
Directorate
Responsibility
The DCMI Directorate has overall and executive
responsibility for the Dublin Core Metadata
Initiative. Its primary role is to ensure that the
Initiative meets the needs of the broader
community.
Composition
The DCMI Directorate consist of:
Selection
At the present time, the DCMI Directorate is
hosted by OCLC.
DC Executive
Group
Responsibility
The objective of the DC Executive Group (DC-EG) is
to manage and coordinate the activities within the DC
standardisation effort. In particular, the DC-EG will
undertake to:
- prioritise issues that require action,
- establish activities to respond to those
issues,
- operationalise and monitor those
activities,
- conclude and implement decisions and
recommendations for each activity, and to
- widely publicise those decisions and
recommendations
Composition
The DC Executive Group consists of:
- Director of DCMI Directorate
- Deputy Director of DCMI Directorate
- Chair of DC-AC
- Deputy Chairs of DC-AC
Selection
The DC Executive Group members are selected by the
processes discussed for the individual members.
Operation
The DC-EG will play a major and significant role
in the operation and management of the DCMI. The
DC-EG, apart from an email list, will teleconference
fortnightly and discuss current and planned
activities. This information will then be passed onto
the appropriate representatives for action/discussion
within their groups.
The DC-EG will produce summary and status
information for major DCMI activities, including:
- Responsible person
- Clear objectives of the activities
- Defined scope of the activities
- Timeline for Deliverables
- Reporting schedule
- List of dependencies
- Post-activity actions
The DC-EG will periodically review this
information to monitor the progress of activities and
identify any potential opportunities, issues, or
risks. Regular reports will be made to the DC-AC and
to DC-General.
DC
Advisory Committee
Responsibility
The DC Advisory Committee (DC-AC) is the primary
decision-making body for the DCMI and has
responsibility for:
- Advise DCMI Directorate on technical
recommendations and policy issues
- Represent the DC community stakeholders
- Forum for discussion of Working Group
issues
- Ratification of Working Group proposals
- Collaborate with related external activities
and organisations
Composition
- Chair of DC-AC
- Deputy chairs of DC-AC
- Director of DCMI Directorate
- Deputy Director of DCMI Directorate
- Chairs of DC Working Groups
- DC Community Representatives
Selection
The DC Advisory Committee members are selected by
the processes discussed for the individual members.
Chairs of all DC Working Groups are automatically
members of the DC-AC.
Chairs of Advisory
Committee
Responsibility
The Chairs of the DC-AC will manage the objectives
and responsibilities of the Advisory Committee. The
Chairs will also form part of the DC-EG and will
contribute to its objectives. The Chair will liaise
between the DC-AC and DC-EG. The Deputy Chairs will
assist the Chair as required.
Composition
There are three positions:
- Chair of DC-AC
- Deputy Chair of DC-AC (two)
Selection
Appointment will be for one year at which stage a
selection process will occur with the possibility of
re-appointment. The process should be completed
within a four week timescale. Appointments will be
reviewed on an annual basis. The existing position
holders will be asked if they wish to commit to
another year's membership. Re-appointment is allowed
to enable some continuity of involvement and build-up
of experience, and to ensure sufficient effort is
available to carry out the required tasks.
The selection process includes:
- DCMI Directorate calls for nominations
(self-nominations accepted) from the members of the
DC-AC.
- Nominees and their employers must make a time
committment of 25% of their time to the position of
Chair
- Nominees and their employers must make a time
committment of 15% of their time to the positions
of Deputy Chair
- The nominations are posted to DC-AC and
recommendations made to DCMI Directorate
- Directorate confirms appointments
DC Community
Representatives
Responsibility
The DC Community Representatives are responsible
for representing a significant sector of the DC
community. For example, a particular discipline
or area, national inititaive, major implementation
effort, or technical expertise. The DC Community
Representatives will provide feedback to the DC-AC on
a regular basis and coordinate interactions with
their respective sectors.
Selection
Appointment will be for one year at which stage a
selection process will occur with the possibility of
re-appointment. The process should be completed
within a four week timescale. Appointments will be
reviewed on an annual basis. The existing position
holder will be asked if they wish to commit to
another year's membership. Re-appointment is allowed
to enable some continuity of involvement and build-up
of experience, and to ensure sufficient effort is
available to carry out the required tasks.
The selection process includes:
- DCMI Directorate calls for nominations
(self-nominations accepted) from the DC General
community
- Nominess must provide a brief resume of their
Dublin Core expertise and experience
- Nominess must indicate the significant sector
they wish to represent and the rationale
- The nominations are posted to DC-AC and
recommendations made to DCMI Directorate
- Directorate confirms appointments
The number of appointments of DC Community
Representatives will be in balance to the number of
Working Group Chairs.
DC
Working Groups
Responsibility
The DC Working Groups (DC-WG) are the primary
mechanisms for the development of major deliverables
for the DCMI and has responsibility for:
- Establishing a DC-WG charter
- Undertaking a process of consensus to deliver
promised outcomes
- Inform wider DC community of activities
Composition
Working Groups consists of:
- a WG Chair,
- a WG Co-Chair (if deemed neccessary)
- a number of WG members
Selection
The DC WG Chairs and members are selected by the
processes discussed for the individual members.
DC Working
Group Chairs
Responsibility
To develop a WG Charter outlining the objectives
and outcomes of the Working Group in consultation
with the DC-EG. To progress work within the WG to
ensure delivering those outcomes in a timely fashion.
See the DC Process document [PROCESS] for more details. To
liaise with the DC-AC regarding progress and
outcomes. To publicise outcomes to dc-general.
Selection
Appointment will be for the duration of the
working group or one year whichever is shorter, at
which stage a selection process will occur with the
possibility of re-appointment. The process should be
completed within a four week timescale. The existing
position holder will be asked if they wish to commit
to another year's membership. Re-appointment is
allowed to enable some continuity of involvement and
build-up of experience, and to ensure sufficient
effort is available to carry out the required
tasks.
The selection process includes:
- DCMI Directorate calls for nominations
(self-nominations accepted) from the DC General
community
- Nominess must provide a brief resume of their
Dublin Core expertise and experience
- The nominations are posted to DC-AC and
recommendations made to DCMI Directorate
- Directorate confirms appointments
- Nominees and their employers must be willing to
make a significant time committment to the position
of WG Chair
DC Working
Group Members
Responsibility
To contribute to achievement of objectives as
defined in the charter by means of e-mail discussion,
tele-conferencing, face-to-face meetings, and written
reports as appropriate. See the DC Process document
[PROCESS] for more
details.
Composition
Unlimited
Selection
An individual becomes a member of the WG by
joining the appropriate mailing list.
Removal From
Positions
Early removal from any of the above positions will
be at the discretion of the DCMI Directorate and under
agreement from the DC Advisory Committee.
Migration
Recommendations
It is recommended that the above positions and
selection processes be undertaken immediately after the
next Dublin Core Workshop (DC7) in October 1999 and
that this be the annual event at which all positions
are renewed.
In the meantime, it is recommended that
- the TAC and PAC be merged into the DC-AC
- the selection process for DC-AC Chairs be
undertaken
- the DC-EG become operational
- this document should be reworded to reflect the
official view of DCMI (not a proposal)
- the DC General community be informed of these
changes
References
[DCMI]
Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. OCLC,
Dublin Ohio. http://dublincore.org/
[PROCESS]
Guidelines for Dublin Core Working Groups
(draft) OCLC, Dublin Ohio. http://dublincore.org/documents/1999/06/02/wgguidelines/
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