Chairing GDWG, GRWG & Sub-Groups

[Tim Hewison]

Dear GSICS colleagues,

 

We had very productive working group meeting in Williamsburg – thanks again to our hosts at NASA.

 

One of the topics under discussions was the chairing of the GSICS Data and Research Working Groups – as well as that of possible GRWG Sub-Groups.

 

1.       Officially, chairmanship of GDWG and GRWG is for 3 year period, with optional renewal. Aleksandar and I have held these respective positions for 3 years now. If you are interested in taking over either of these positions, please let us know before 1 May 2013. If suitable candidates are found the current chairs have offered to support their replacements with a phased hand-over period extending to the next annual meeting.

 

2.       I also proposed introducing more sub-groups to the GRWG.

Following our initial success with GEO-LEO infrared and users’ demand for further inter-calibration products, GSICS is aiming to expand to cover other instruments and other parts of the spectrum. This requires the development of multiple techniques appropriate for different spectral bands. It is difficult for one person to keep abreast of all the developments in each of these areas, let alone guide the development of future products.

So I propose creating sub-groups, each focusing on the development of a specific class of GSICS product and chaired by an expert in that field. Each Sub-Group Chair would be responsible for organising and chairing portions of the agenda of the annual GRWG meeting, as well as web meetings related to their topic, monitoring actions related to the development of inter-calibration products in their field. Reporting progress to Exec Panel & Users’ Workshops could continue to be done through the GRWG Chair, or by the Sub-Group Chairs, as available. As well as distributing the workload, this would allow more efficient development of GSICS Products and bring greater recognition of your contributions.

If you are interested in chairing a GRWG Sub-Group, please draft a 1-2 page proposal outlining what you see as its scope and working plan to develop GSICS products for a specific application or spectral band and send that to the GRWG Chair by 1 June 2013 (in time for Exec Panel meeting).

Possible Sub-Groups include, but are not limited to:

a)       Microwave (covering imagers and sounders) – this group already exists, but needs a Chair.

b)      Reflected solar bands: GEO/LEO + traceability (LEO/LEO)

c)       Infra-red: GEO/LEO + traceability (LEO/LEO)

d)      Historical instrument recalibration

I look forward to your proposals!

 

Tim Hewison

(GRWG Chair)