Strategic Planning Cialek reviewed the graphic representation of the committee's goals from the previous meeting, and the committee continued to discuss methods to encourage user community involvement in standards efforts. White expanded on the example of the Internet Engineering Task Force, a group that determines standards for Internet hardware and software, since its structure may serve as a model for the Standards Committee. The Task Force is structured in several layers and relies primarily on small working groups that address specific issues. Intermediate level groups review the work of the small groups, and the entire task force meets once or twice a year to make final decisions.
Communication is facilitated by listserve discussions, and vendors are heavily involved.
Maki then noted that task-driven issues, such as parcels, attract participation. Wencl mentioned several means of assessing user priorities, including conducting another survey and enlisting the help of the Communications Committee. The committee did not take up the issue of a survey at this time. White noted that user priorities can be used to help justify budget requests for items such as email lists and web pages. Cialek turned the discussion to committee priorities for next year.