Terms of Reference - Governing Board
Governing Board
1.1 Description and duties
The Governing Board (GB) is the strategic decision body of ETIP HYDROPOWER in charge of vision, mission, and strategic planning goals.
The Governing Board is in charge of the following tasks:
- Regularly assessing the progress made by the WGs on key tasks;
- Keeping relevant EC stakeholders on hydropower informed on the progress made in the ETIP;
- Expressing recommendations (R&I orientations, funding, industrial maturity of projects, events, regulatory matters etc.) to these EC stakeholders;
- Reviewing and approving all documents including R&I Roadmaps prepared by the Working Groups, before submitting them to the General Assembly for the final endorsement;
- Proposing the creation of Working Groups to the General Assembly
- Confirming the WG Chairs and Co-Chairs. In the case that a WG Chair or Co Chair position becomes vacant, the GB will issue a new open call for potential candidates.
1.2 Structure and elections
The Governing Board is composed of 17-25 seats, comprising elected representatives of the General Assembly, the Chairperson and two Co-Chairs of the Governing Board. It also comprises of one representative per Working Group, one representative from the SAB and the Member States Liaison Group all having an observer status
Members of the Governing Board are elected among candidates found with an open call through the General Assembly. Elections between several candidates for the Governing Board will be decided upon by the number of votes per candidate. The Secretariat will overlook formal procedures to fulfil all transparency and compliance with the Terms of Reference.
The Governing Board representatives will be elected for a 3-year term and will involve representatives from a wide range of stakeholder groups (see Section 3.2). The main hydropower regions comprising Western Europe, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, the Alpine Region, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean Region should be also represented by owners / operators. Furthermore, gender balance will be encouraged.
1.3 Working procedures
Governing Board meetings will be organised at least twice a year in person or via web or hybrid conference to ensure effective, efficient and smooth coordination of the activities. Extraordinary meetings can be organised as necessary and can be proposed by the Governing Board members or the Secretariat.
The Secretariat supports the Governing Board in the preparation and logistics management of the meetings. An agenda for Governing Board Meetings shall be prepared by the Secretariat in close collaboration and with input from the GB Chair, Co-chairs and Members. The agenda shall be circulated not later than ten days before the meeting. Notice of the Governing Board meeting (date, time and venue) should be conveyed at least 45 days in advance of the meeting.
1.4 Decision-making
The Governing Board will take decisions by majority vote, provided quorum of at least half of members is present. In case of tie vote, the final decision shall be taken by the Chairperson.
1.5 Chairperson and vice-chairperson
The Governing Board of the ETIP HYDROPOWER is presided by a Chairperson and by two Vice-chairpersons, entitled to represent the entire ETIP HYDROPOWER vis-à-vis external entities and at all official events. The Chairperson also chairs the General Assembly meetings with the support of the Secretariat.
The election of the Chairperson and two co-chairs of the Governing Board shall take place during the Governing Board meeting as soon as possible after the end of the term[1]. The Secretariat of the ETIP HYDROPOWER is responsible for organizing and running the elections of the Governing Board’s Chairperson and co-chairs, which shall be by secret ballot under the supervision of the Secretariat and any observers appointed by the Secretariat.
[1] The elections of the Chairperson and co-chairs will be organised in the very 1st meeting of the Governing Board