Get The Latest
Announcements, Alerts
& Information in
your Inbox!
Join SCB's
Policy Listserve!
|
| An overview of SCB's Policy Approval Process is available here.
After reviewing the policy page and resources, one of the most effective ways you can bring science to policymakers is to establish relationships with your government officials wherever you are.
In the U.S., for example, citizens can get to know their Senators, Members of Congress and agency officials working on issues they care about most. Under "Policy Tools and Guidelines for SCB Members" on the navigation bar to the left, we have web sites for offices and research reports to help guide you through the international and U.S. federal policy ecosystems. U.S. SCB members may also want to call the Capitol Operator at 202-225-3121, and ask to be connected to the offices of your House Members and Senators and Committees of interest. |
|
Formal Policy Approval Process as Adopted by the Board of Governors, March 2008
When any Regional Section, working group, local chapter, or other subgroup or office of SCB proposes a new position statement or a significant revision to an existing statement, the proponant will submit the proposal to SCB’s Policy Director, SCB’s Policy Committee Chair, and the Policy Chair and President of the relevant Regional Section, if any. These four individuals shall comprise a rapid policy review group (RPRG).
The RPRG shall give priority, without a requirement for further external review, to policy proposals that (1) are based on science published in Conservation Biology, other peer-reviewed journals, or white papers approved by SCB or its Regional Sections, and (2) are consistent with the strategic priorities of SCB or its Regional Sections. If these criteria are met, then the RPRG shall forward the proposal and their recommendation for acceptance, acceptance with revision, or rejection to the Policy Committee within two business days of submission. (two days)
If the criteria for expedited review are not met, then the Policy Committee Chair shall identify two or more experts (who may include members of the Policy Committee of SCB or the Section) to review the proposal. These reviews shall be completed within four business days. (six days) A decision shall be made by the RPRG to recommend acceptance, acceptance with revision, or rejection of the proposal within two business days following receipt of reviews. (eight days) The Policy Commitee Chair may waive the requirement for external review when necessary to meet external deadlines on matters important to SCB.
The RPRG shall forward the original proposal, any external reviews, and their recommendation to the Policy Committee. The RPRG and proponant shall incorporate revisions suggested by members of the Policy Committee provided that the revisions do not materially alter the content of the proposal.
The revised proposed shall be considered approved by SCB within three business days of its submission to the Policy Committee unless it is rejected by a majority of the Committee sooner. (five days to 11 days) The period from initial submission of the proposal to final decision shall be no more than a total of 11 business days unless that limit is waived by consensus of the RPRG.
Members of the RPRG shall designate a proxy if they expect to be unavailable for more than two business days and shall send this information to other members of the group.
|
