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Public Information Committee
2008–2010 term
Chair
Randall Richardson, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Council Representative
Jennifer Harden, U. S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California
Members
John Cox, Sacramento, California
Nyasha Dunkley, Department of Natural Resources, State of Georgia
Hiroshi Ichikawa, JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan
Marina LaGrave, UCAR-NCAR, Boulder, Colorado
Cheryl Lyn Dybas, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia
Simon Schneider, GEOTECHNOLOGIEN, Potsdam, Germany
Staff Liaison
Peter Weiss
Committee Charge
The Public Information Committee is responsible for guiding AGU's efforts in disseminating to the public the current understanding of the Earth and space sciences. The Committee works primarily through the media to reach the public but also makes use of the AGU web site for some direct communication with the public.
The Committee is charged with assuring effective interaction with the media and the public in order to 1) fulfill AGU obligations to the public good through accurate reporting of Earth and space science research; 2) enhance the public's awareness and appreciation of the role of basic research in today's society; 3) improve members' ability to communicate effectively with the media, public, and policy leaders; 4) improve the quality of public decisions where scientific knowledge can influence the end result and where support of research is involved; 5) maintain AGU as a recognized, authoritative source for the national and international media; 6) enhance AGU's visibility through the promotion of Union activities.
The Committee also shares its expertise in assisting other entities of the Union needing to develop publicity for specific projects, policies, or activities.
Specific areas for attention of the Committee during the 2008–2010 term include:
Program Overviews. During the coming term the Committee is asked to prepare a program overview for the next 5 years that aligns with the AGU strategic plan. This overview should describe the principles that guide AGU's public information program, including things like who is served, how membership expertise is engaged, how resources are optimized through collaborations, donations, and sponsorships. The work of the Committee in developing this overview should help make the program more attractive for gaining further support from the membership and from outside resources. This overview should be an underpinning for future operational plans, which are an essential element of AGU's planning process. The operational plans are expected to include appropriate metrics for evaluating progress and determining to what extent each undertaking in this area is moving AGU toward the appropriate intermediate-term objectives. These plans are also expected to be realistic in terms of available resources.
Defining Core Program. AGU has limited resources and the activities for this program are non-revenue-generating programs. At the same time, it is understood that the AGU must sustain a set of core programs. The Committee is expected to describe the elements of the core public information program that will meet the definition for core programs adopted by the Budget and Finance Committee.
Program Support. The Development Board expects to work closely with the three committees responsible for AGU's outreach programs in order to prioritize needs and align the goals and objectives with resources of donors within the membership and external to AGU.
–July 2008