June 2016
AA1000APS Working Group Terms of Reference
A. Governance
1. The AA1000 Steering Committee delegates authority to the AA1000APS Working Group to guide
content development of the new AA1000APS subject to compliance with the AA1000 Standards
Board’s determined strategy for the AA1000 Standards Series.
2. Working Group Members will execute a specific task(s) in carrying out the Standards’ strategy.
The Group shall disband once the respective tasks are completed.
3. The Working Group shall report to the Steering Committee on all development tasks related to
content of the AA1000APS.
4. When new working group members are required, the AA1000 Steering Committee shall consider
nominations from any source, including through an open call for nominations. The AA1000 Steering
Committee shall review nominations and comments and provide recommendations to the AA1000
Standards Board.
5. Nominations shall be approved by the AA1000 Standards Board.
B. Mandate
The mandate of the Working Group is developed and determined by the AA1000 Steering
Committee and approved by the Standards Board. The working group shall,
1. Develop the appropriate methodology and submit for approval with the Steering Committee;
2. Execute the tasks allocated in a given timeframe;
3. Advise on process to consult with Stakeholders;
4. When appropriate, consult for advice and/or technical support of:
- The Standards Board
- The Steering Committee
- External experts
1
London
New York
Zurich
www.accountability.org
Dubai
Riyadh
5. Submit the results of their work to the Steering Committee, to be approved by the Standards
Board.
C. Composition
The Working Group shall be composed as follows:
1. Each Working Group is composed of 7 to 15 members, including a Chairperson appointed by the
Standards Board.
2. The AA1000 Secretariat (AccountAbility) shall support the Working Group in drafting and
developing work based on the advice of the Working Group.
3. The Nominations committee shall strive to ensure that members are geographically/culturally
diverse and represent important stakeholder groups, including:
▫
Business
▫
Civil society
▫
Standards organisations
▫
Assurance providers
▫
Service providers
▫
Government
▫
Finance/ Accounting community
4. Members’ names and affiliations shall appear on the AccountAbility website and in each Standard
and Guidance Note to which they have contributed.
D. Working Arrangements
1. The Working Group shall convene as required during the standards development and revision
processes. Physical meetings will be limited as much as possible, with teleconferencing and email
correspondence being the main means of communication. In case of the need for a physical
meeting, expenses will be reimbursed, subject to conditions.
2. Working Group members will not receive remuneration. As being a member is a voluntary
position there should be no expectation that expenses, other than previously approved, will be
covered.
3. Working Groups shall be supported by the Secretariat in provisions of materials or resources
required to carry out the mandate. Working Group meetings shall be minuted by the Secretariat.
4. The chair of the Working Group may be required to attend Steering Committee or Standards
Board meetings to provide a communication on progress.
2
London
New York
Zurich
www.accountability.org
Dubai
Riyadh
5. All outputs of the working group (intellectual property, trademarks, whitepapers etc) shall be held
by AccountAbility AA1000 CIC.
E. Sessions & Participation
1. Meeting frequency is defined by each Working Group’s Chairperson, according to task allocation.
2. Time requirements by each member are estimated at a total of six days per year.
3. Working Group Members commit to attending their respective Working Group meetings in their
entirety. They also commit to contributing in terms of time and effort between meetings.
3
London
New York
Zurich
www.accountability.org
Dubai
Riyadh