# Guidance Subgroup Charter

### I. PURPOSE

The Homeland Security Working Group (HSWG) Guidance Subgroup is
established under the auspices of the Federal Geographic Data Committee
(FGDC) to serve as the focal point for the preparation of
recommendations concerning guidance, policy, and process required to
ensure that geospatial information technologies support the strategic
goals of homeland security (HLS) and homeland defense (HLD) as defined
in the FGDC HSWG charter
(http://www.fgdc.gov/participation/working-groups-subcommittees/hswg/homeland-security-working-group-charter).

### II. SCOPE

### The HSWG was established under the auspices of the FGDC to serve as the focal point for identification of geospatial metadata, information content, symbology, interface and other specifications, guidelines, and standards required to ensure that geospatial information technologies support achievement of the strategic goals of HLS and HLD. HSWG responsibilities fall into the broad mission areas of Policy Recommendations, Standards, and Coordination.  

The Guidance Subgroup is responsible to establish and maintain a scope
and procedural process aligned with, but not redundant with, the
auspices and scope of the overall HSWG and its other subgroups. The
Subgroup will apply subject matter expertise of the members, or solicit
outside subject matter expertise where relevant, to initiate draft FGDC
policy guidance on issues needing attention to effectively institute or
enable the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in the HLS/HLD
arena. This subgroup will also function as a clearinghouse and action
team on guidance, policy, and process issues requiring FGDC attention
that are raised by HSWG member agencies or by interagency working groups
such as the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Working Group
(HIFLD).

### III. CHAIRPERSON

The Chairperson of the Guidance Subgroup will adhere to the FGDC
processes and procedures for working group activities.  The HSWG Chair
may approve a Vice-Chair to assist the Subgroup Chair in conducting the
business of the Subgroup.

### IV. AUTHORITY

The activities of the HSWG Guidance Subgroup are in accordance with OMB
Circulars A-16, A-119, and A-130, and Executive Order 12906.

### V. MEMBERSHIP

The HSWG Guidance Subgroup shall consist of representatives designated
by:

a\) those Federal agencies that, as part of their mission, collect or
finance the collection of geospatial data that are applicable to the
HLS/HLD missions;

b\) those Federal agencies that are legislatively mandated to directly
apply these data (e.g. agencies specified in the National Response Plan
and relevant Homeland Security Presidential Directives) in support of
the HLS/HLD missions;

c\) those organizations holding HLS/HLD responsibilities, defined as
HLS/HLD stakeholders, affected by HLS/HLD related geospatial information
sharing models and processes.

Member agencies of the HSWG may designate its representatives,
alternates if desired, and changes thereto, to the HSWG Guidance
Subgroup Chair.

Non-Federal governmental organizations (state, local, and tribal
governments) and associations representing groups of non-Federal
governmental organizations may be added with the concurrence of the HSWG
Chairperson(s).

Nongovernmental organizations may also participate in the HSWG Guidance
Subgroup, but their participation is limited to a non-decision making
role. Thus, industry associations or consortia, non-US governmental
organizations, and the like may be invited to attend meetings to provide
information and opinions to the HSWG Guidance Subgroup, but may not
participate in the decision making of the Subgroup.

### VI. RESPONSIBILITY

The responsibilities of the HSWG Guidance Subgroup shall include:

a\) Identifying, through FGDC member input or recommendations of other
agencies or relevant interagency working groups, those issues for which
resolution would be facilitated by the promulgation of FGDC guidance,
policy, or process change.

b) Developing and implementing guidelines for the identification,
dissemination, and security (web-served or other) of geospatial data
required for DHS, Department of Defense (DOD) and other government
agency critical infrastructure programs, and that are or may be
determined to be Homeland Security-sensitive**.**

c) Assisting in the development and publication of process and policy
guidelines applicable to homeland security data and supporting the
testing and validation of guidelines or specifications developed or
modified by the HSWG.

d) Recommending establishment of, additions to, or changes of homeland
security-related NSDI data themes and their lead agencies to the FGDC
Steering Committee.

e\) Compiling process or policy "best practices" and posting them for
promotion on the FGDC HSWG web site.

### VII. PROCEDURES

Subgroup meetings will be held at the call of the Guidance Subgroup
Chair(s). Normal notification of meetings, accompanied by an agenda,
will be made to members of the Guidance Subgroup and to the HSWG
membership no less than five (5) Federal working days in advance of a
meeting. However, emergency meetings may be convened by the
chairperson(s) at any time with however much advance notice as is
possible under the prevailing circumstances.

Due to the nature of some types of information required to assure
homeland security and the requirements for processing and storage of
that information, some meetings of the Subgroup may be held at an
appropriate classified security level. Such meetings will be limited to
discussion of the topics necessitating a meeting at the classified
level.

All decisions are made on the basis of consensus agreement. Where
agreement cannot be reached, the issue is promptly referred to the HSWG
Chair, and if necessary, to the FGDC Executive Secretary to be scheduled
for resolution.

Prior to implementing decisions that may impact the HSWG and/or the
FGDC, the Guidance Subgroup Chair(s) will consult with the HSWG
Chairperson to determine if (1) the HSWG as a whole requires awareness
of a proposed decision, or (2) the FGDC Coordination Group requires
consultation to assess the need for intra-FGDC coordination.

The Guidance Subgroup may, by consensus, establish additional rules and
procedures for conducting its business.

### VIII. COORDINATING MECHANISMS

The HSWG Guidance Subgroup will employ standard communication tools
including e-mail and the FGDC HSWG Website to coordinate and conduct
meetings, share documentation for review, receive and respond to
reviewer input, and post or share any additional relevant information or
artifacts.

The HSWG Chairperson(s), through participation in the FGDC Coordination
Group, will coordinate the Guidance Subgroup's activities with the FGDC
Secretariat, subcommittees, and working groups.

### 

### 

### IX. REPORTS

The Guidance Subgroup shall provide work progress status reports at the
HSWG monthly meetings.  Subgroup work plans and a membership roster
shall be maintained in concert with status provided at HSWG meetings and
in accordance with established HSWG web presence practices.  Comments,
recommendations and determinations, related to guidance reviews shall be
publicly reported on a cycle agreed to by the HSWG.  The Guidance
Subgroup Chair(s) shall support the call for information relative to
annual reporting of the HSWG accomplishments and future directions.

### X. TERMINATION

The HSWG Guidance Subgroup shall remain in existence until terminated by
the HSWG.