Requirements for Advisory Council Members
The National Marine
Sanctuary System regards the involvement of communities and the development
of a stewardship ethic as vitally important to successfully conserve
Sanctuary resources. One important way to achieve this involvement is
the formation of Sanctuary Advisory Councils (SACs). SAC members serve
as ambassadors between the Sanctuary and its users and the various communities
adjacent to its boundaries. Through participation on the SAC, members
accept the responsibility of communicating with the groups they represent.
They actively engage their constituencies and work with the Sanctuary
Superintendent to resolve issues and concerns and guide future management
direction. Accordingly, we are looking for highly motivated people who
are able and willing to volunteer their time to help reach out and work
constructively with the diverse interests, users, and communities that
have a stake in the resources of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
Commitment
/ Expectations
1) SAC members serve
two-three year terms as volunteers to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Members are not paid. If necessary,
travel expenses to and from the rotating meeting locations will be reimbursed.
2) SAC members attend
regularly scheduled meetings, approximately 9:00am — 3pm on a quarterly
basis. However, as the first order of business will be working on the
Management Plan Review process, we anticipate more frequent meetings
during July - October, 2001. There may also be a SAC / Staff retreat
scheduled for Spring 2002.
3) SAC members are
expected to actively reach out and communicate to the various interest
groups they represent. This includes communicating Sanctuary issues
and policies to constituencies as well as bringing issues and concerns
from constituents to the attention of the SAC and the Sanctuary Superintendent.
This will require establishing constituent networks and may require
outreach to groups with potentially conflicting attitudes and opinions.
4) SAC members attend
and facilitate other meetings as necessary to gain knowledge and discuss
specific issues important to their constituencies. For example, there
will be opportunities to attend local public meetings that will be set
up to facilitate the management plan review process and
engage the public more overtly in that process. Attending non-Sanctuary-specific
meetings that may relate to Sanctuary issues is strongly encouraged.
