Governance

Interim Executive Committee

As a network of peer organizations, GGBN is governed by an Interim Executive Committee comprised of volunteers who are selected by and represent GGBN members. The Interim Executive Committee oversees the pursuit of goals, priorities and activities proposed by GGBN members. The Interim Executive Committee will focus this effort by identifying key agendas, directing work, sharing information, raising funds, and monitoring outcomes, along with guiding the network as it makes its transition from a concept in 2011 to a formalized member-driven organization in 2016. The Interim Executive Committee reviews prospective members using GGBN membership and member responsibilities. More information can be found in the GGBN working Terms of Reference

List of current members on the Interim Executive Committee

• Ole Seberg, Chair
• Katharine Barker, Program Manager
• Gabriele Droege, Technical Manager
• David Cantrill
• Jonathan Coddington
• Oris Sanjur
• David Schindel
• Yong Zhang
• Xin Zhou

Secretariat Office

GGBN's Secretariat, hosted and supported by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, performs day to day operational management for GGBN, coordinates member activities, and provides administrative support and communication services for the Interim Executive Committee, Task Force chairs, Technical Management Office, and GGBN Members. Please feel free to get in touch with the Secretariat directly.

• Katharine Barker, Program Manager

Technical Management Office

GGBN's Technical Management Office, hosted by the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem, performs day to day operational management of the GGBN Data Portal, GGBN Registry, and GGBN Library, coordinates further improvements, and provides technical support for GGBN Members. Please feel free to get in touch with the Technical Management Office Directly.

• Gabriele Droege, Technical Manager

Task Forces

Three Task Forces were established to address: 1) Data Standards and Data Access for Genomic Samples, 2) Policies and Practices Related to Management and Stewardship of Genomic Samples and 3) Communications and Outreach. Goals will be achieved through the work of Task Forces made up of volunteers who are selected by and represent GGBN members.

=Task Force on Data Standards and Data Access for Genomic Samples

Established to 1) develop a standard for sharing DNA and tissue information and 2) develop a global platform for aggregating relevant data sources of genomic samples, vouchers, molecular analysis, publications and images.

Main Outcomes

• Identify collection gaps across the Tree of Life (TOL)
• Members adapt standards for sharing DNA/tissues information
• Member website (data portal)
• Access to aggregated information on genomic samples, vouchers, metadata, DNA, images, publications, etc.

Task Force members

• Gabriele Droege(2014-present)
• Margaret Cawsey(2014-present)
• Jonathan Coddington(2011-present)
• Paul Flemons(2011-present)
• Mailyn Adriana Gonzalez(2012-present)
• Adrian Hine(2012-present)
• Kim Labuschagne(2014-present)
• Chris Meyer(2011-present)
• Thomas Orrell(2011-present)

Former Members

• Donald Hobern(2011-2015)
• Éamonn Ó Tuama(2011-2015)
• Cynthia Parr(2011-2015)
• Jamie Whitacre(2011-2015)

=Policies and Practices Task Force

Established to =Communications and Outreach Task Force members

Data Standards and Data Access for Genomic Samples

The Data Standards and Data Access Task Force is responsible for: 1) developing a standard for sharing DNA and tissue information; and 2) developing a global platform for aggregating relevant data sources of genomic samples, vouchers, molecular analysis, publications and images.

Policies and Practices Related to Management and Stewardship of Genomic Samples

The Policies and Practices Task Force is responsible for: 1) defining best practices and assisting members towards achievement; and 2) developing a values statement in support of member organizations' work on access and benefits sharing (ABS).

Communications and Outreach

The Communications and Outreach Task Force is responsible for developing and implementing tools and strategies that efficiently communicate GGBN’s goals, strategies, and upcoming events.