What are IETM Working Groups?
The IETM Working Groups (WGs) are a way for members to organise around specific interests and issues. They are non-statutory and self-organised.
WGs can gather online or physically or at IETM meetings, where non-member participants can join as well.
WGs happen naturally at IETM - if you want to push for a WG, you can do so by starting the conversation with like minded people. They can remain informal and private, or you can involve the IETM Secretariat to help with promotion and in formalising it.
It is very much down to our members to keep the WGs going - you get out of it what you put in and it’s up to you to decide how you want to proceed with it.
WGs can exist as long as they remain relevant to the initiators and members.
You can find the list and description of all current IETM Working Groups on this page.
Forming a Working Group
The first step in forming a WG is to contact the IETM Secretariat at [email protected], informing us about the topic, the contact details of the members who want to be a part of it and to set up an initial meeting to discuss the group and go over any questions that you may have.
If there is more than one main contact person in the WG, then you can decide amongst yourself what their involvement will be and how they will organise the group.
Once this has been decided, you can start writing your introduction text about your WG - this is a short text (200 words max) to describe the aims and objectives of your group, how it works and its target audience. When it’s ready, IETM will publish it on the website.
What type of support can a working group expect from the IETM Secretariat?
Logistical support
The WGs are self managed and moderated on a voluntary basis. However, the IETM Secretariat can provide the following support when needed.
- Internal coordination of meetings
- Promotion for online events and technical supports
- Providing a space for physical meetings whenever possible
- A Google Drive specifically for the WG
IETM Plenary meetings
Whenever possible, we encourage WGs to gather at IETM Plenary Meetings. Depending on the capacity of each meeting, we can sometimes provide a space and a slot in the programme for WGs sessions.
Financial support
There is no specific financial support linked to IETM working groups, neither for their contact persons nor for any speakers or experts that the group might want to involve.
Changing a contact person or closing a group
If you are no longer the main contact person for your group, then you can inform the Secretariat and other group members of the replacement contact. If you are the only contact person for your group, please let us know if you want the group to remain active or if it should be closed.
If the group is to remain active but there is no contact person (other than you), the person leaving should appoint a new contact person for the group.
Please check here for the communications & organisational guidelines
