Governance Subcommittee James Dobbins, Chair

The Summary Mission Statement Foster engagement between the U.S. society and the rest of the world with a view to promoting shared values and common interests, increasing mutual understanding and respect and enhancing America’s standing in the world. Advance these objectives preponderantly through grant making, but also have organic capacity to itself stimulate peer to peer contacts and to build digital and in person communities of interest through its ability to convene, to network, and to synthesize the best research available on relevant issues.

Value Added Doing things the U.S. government by nature has difficulty doing Experimentation, retaining the long view, and remaining free of bureaucratic and regulatory limitations conducting or supporting activities outside of the traditional purview of existing organizations aiming to fill gaps and close seams while avoiding redundancy being a source of advice and a repository of expertise connecting, integrating, and convening communities of interest, groups of practitioners, and congregations of expertise

Structure and Governance Congressionally endorsed independent non-profit 501(C)(3) organization It will look to Congressional appropriation for some of its core funding, while program and project funding will largely come both from private sources and from various government agencies Structure Board with 15 seats, 3 year terms, limit of two concurrent terms Supported by an advisory committee, which will include congressional representation Modest full-time expert and professional staff, augmented as needed by short term contract personnel

Relationship to Government Independent of the government, but include two former members of Congress on its advisory board, one from each party. Available to provide advice or expertise to government policymakers or practitioners regarding activities consistent with the organization’s mission. Seek project funding from relevant government agencies.

Activities Peer to peer engagement Research Provision of advice and expertise Promote innovation and encourage investment Develop a business strategy and vision Construct and convene a network

Grant-Making Most grants will be offered competitively Formal request for proposals (RFP) process. Professional staff will evaluate proposals submitted against criteria established in each RFP, select proposals to be awarded grants and determine the amount of grants, both subject to the final approval of the board.