What are the various ISI Committees? How are ISI Committees structured? How does one become a member of an ISI Committee? We hope that the following information will help members to better understand the ISI Committee operations, and maybe to consider becoming active in a Committee.

The ISI Statutes and Bylaws state:

Notwithstanding the provision of the statutes, in practice ISI Committees are seldom initiated by the General Assembly itself. Usually they come about as a result of deliberations by the Council, the Executive Committee, or at the initiative of the Sections, the Permanent Office or individual ISI members. Applications for the formation of new Committees are usually first considered by the Executive Committee, and then approved (or rejected) by Council.

The ISI Statutes and Bylaws specify a requirement for four Committees essential to the ISI’s ongoing administrative operations, and describe their functions and responsibilities. These Committees are the ISI Council, Executive Committee, Nominations Committee and Elections Committee. Membership in these Committees is either determined by election (in the case of the Council or Executive Committees) or by ISI Council/Executive Committee appointment (in the case of the Nominations Committee, Elections Committee, Publications Committee and Programme Committee). Membership in all other Committees is open to any individual who is interested in the goals and activities of the Committee. With the exception of the ISI Council and Executive Committee (whose Chairpersons are elected) all Chairpersons are appointed and approved by the ISI Council, usually at the recommendation of the ISI Executive Committee. Non-elected Chairpersons typically serve for four years (two biennial terms) before being replaced.

ISI Committees can be classified into two types; Committees and Working Groups. Committees can be further divided into Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees (see below). A further "Interest Group" designation has been introduced to describe the specific nature of some Committees or Working Groups.

The distinction between "Standing" and "Ad Hoc" Committees implies a period of termination (commonly referred to as "sunset" period). Standing Committees are, in principle considered to be long term (or indefinitely ongoing) bodies, while Ad Hoc Committees are dissolved as soon as they realise their (typically short-term) objectives. In accordance with ISI "sunset provisions", every second year, the ISI Council and Executive Committee reviews the work of all ISI Committees, with a view to continue or discontinue them. Each Committee submits a written report of its activities every second year to the ISI Executive Committee, which advises Council about the work undertaken, including its views about the needs to continue or discontinue a Committee.

Initiatives for the establishment of Working Groups on special subjects may be developed in the General Assembly, the ISI Council, the ISI Executive Committee, the Executive Boards of ISI Sections and in the ISI Permanent Office. The establishment of Working Groups is the responsibility of the Executive Committee who also appoints the Chairpersons and sets the terms of reference for each. All Working Groups must submit a written report of their activities every two years, which are compiled and submitted to the Council for review, including the Executive Committee’s recommendations about the continuation or discontinuation of the work of the Working Group for the next two year period.

It should be noted that there exists an upward (and downward) mobility of ISI Committees, Working Groups and Sections. In the past, some Committees have progressed from Working Group to Committee (and in the case of the IASE, to a Section), while transformations in the other direction are also not uncommon, sometimes resulting in the dissolution of the Committee.

Some Committees are designated as "Special Interest Groups". Such Committees have a strong "Interest Group" aspect to their existence and are essentially sub-sections (or mini-sections) of the ISI. The application of such a designation is considered by the ISI Executive Committee and Council on a case by case basis. The Chairs of such Committees are entitled to membership in the ISI Council on a non-voting basis, in accordance with the ISI Statutes (Article 5b — "representatives of specified statistical interest groups may be entitled to membership in the Council without voting rights").

Special Interest Groups may establish task forces (sub-groups). The following Committee presently enjoys special "Interest Group" status:

• Life Sciences Committee.

ISI Committees and Working Groups typically conduct their work by correspondence, during the ISI Sessions, or during specialised meetings.

(ISI Committee Activity Submission Form)

Should you have any questions about ISI Committees, or if you would like to inquire about participation in a particular ISI Committee, please contact:

•  For information on the ISI Committees except for the Elections, Nominations and Publications Committees, please contact Ms. Shabani Mehta (@cbs.nl) or the Committee's Chairperson (see above)

•  For the Elections, Nominations and Publications Committees, please contact Ms. Liliana Pinkasovych (@cbs.nl) or the Committee's Chairperson (see above)