GREEN SEAL's Clarification and Modification to Stakeholder Process for GS37 Process
Allow all registered stakeholders (i.e., those who officially registered by the posted deadline of Feb. 15, 2007: approximately 341 individuals) to vote in all formal balloting such as on the final revised standard, with the proviso that stakeholders from one incorporated entity or one governmental agency have but one vote.
- GS/UTenn will make every effort to get additional information on and classify those of the original 341 registered stakeholders who didn’t self-identify their constituency so that they may vote. Stakeholders who do not respond or provide sufficient information to be assigned to a constituency will be dropped as stakeholders and not allowed to vote. (Reminder: All members of the public are entitled to submit written comments during the formal public comment period, and all comments will be considered in developing the final standard.)
- The votes will be tallied by constituency group in order to determine consensus in an equitable, balanced way. Specifically, votes will be examined across the various organizations and constituency groups in order to determine whether there is any sustained opposition that would preclude consensus having been achieved; sustained opposition means that a significant number of stakeholders or a constituency has a significant issue regarding a proposal such that they could not support the resulting standard.
- If there is any such sustained opposition within or across constituency groups, work iteratively with these stakeholders and the remaining stakeholders (with the assistance of the Stakeholders Committee; see below) to make modifications that are acceptable to most stakeholders.
- If such consensus cannot be achieved among stakeholders, the matter will be referred to the Executive Committee for resolution.
The Stakeholders Committee of 21 elected members from the various constituencies is a working advisory, discussion body to provide balanced stakeholder representation, facilitating dialogue and resolution of issues on behalf of all stakeholders.
- Appoint ISSA as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Stakeholders Committee to ensure the balance of industry representation.
- Circulate or make available key discussion drafts to all stakeholders for review and comment so they have input from the beginning: these would occur at a minimum during scoping; when the proposed revisions to the standard are being prepared for public comment; and when the final revised standard is being prepared.
- During scoping, all stakeholders will be asked for advice on upgrading the current standard and particularly how it can be strengthened to ensure protection of sensitive and vulnerable populations such as children.
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