The Communications committee is responsible for developing, updating and monitoring COGS’s communications policies, social networking accounts, and electronic discussion groups, as well as recommending new ways for COGS to communicate with its members and other interested parties through alternative media.

The COGS Communication committee will comprise no fewer than 3 and no more than 10 members.

Committee membership will be for 3 years and staggered. The Chairperson will be elected following the appropriate COGS meeting.

Members of the Communication committee will all be members of COGS and will have the following composition:

- At least 4 Full COGS members (Past Chair, Secretary, in-coming Chair)

- At least 2 Student members

- 2 members of the Executive Committee (Chair)

- If possible with representation from the following groups: community, social science, humanities, sciences, NGO, government, business

- An additional 3 persons, who are not members of COGS, may be co-opted to the committee to provide expertise and guidance on specific issue for a limited time. Co-opted members will not have voting right.

Selection process for committee members:

- Calls for committee members will be made soon after the preceding conference (e.g. after the 2021 conference sending calls for the 2022 committee members) and sent throughout the COGS membership.

- Application for committee members will be reviewed and approved by the Executive.

Decision regarding committee members will be based on:

- Disciplinary Expertise

- EDI

Term of appointment: 3 Years

Calls for committee members will be sent in cycle with the COGS meetings (either annually or biannually) in order to maintain a balance between junior and senior members.

The incoming chairs, the past chairs, and the Secretary serve as ex officio members of the committee. The chairs are empowered to act on behalf of the committee on matters that require decisions between meetings of the full committee.

The chair will be member of the executive committee and keeps the executive committee up-to-date on the work of the Communications committee

To communicate with the Executive and other Committees in order to co-create and share information in COGS To ensure a cohesive and consistent corporate identity for COGS through logos, signage and printed media

To establish and review at regular intervals a website which meets statutory Accessibility and Transparency requirements and delivers an effective source of information to members of the public

The provision and updating of notice boards at specific locations to promote COGS meetings and initiatives.

To establish and review at regular intervals how COGS communicates with local interest groups

Any other communications issues as requested by the Executive committee

Clear and concise formal resolutions are required at all times to avoid ambiguity in the minutes and to ensure that the intention of the resolution is conveyed to the members for them to vote on

All the committee’s responsibilities will operate within principles assuring equity and diversity.

All committee members are expected to attend at least two annual Communication Committee meetings. Meetings will be held virtually, usually in early February, April, September and October. An in-person meeting may be held during the annual/biannual meeting. Additional correspondence is conducted by e-mail and conference call, as needed, throughout the calendar year to address committee-related issues.

Written minutes will be taken to record the Committee’s decisions and will be circulated to all Councillors for information and adoption at the next committee meeting.

The Committee Secretary will be responsible for arranging the distribution of the Agenda & Minutes

Minutes will be recorded by the Committee secretary or other designated person.