Genome 10K Consortium Bylaws

 

 

Mission

The Genome10K (G10K) Community of Scientists was established in 2009 by a consortium of biologists and genome scientists determined to facilitate the sequencing and analysis of the complete genomes of diverse species of vertebrates. In order to facilitate further progress and governance of the G10KCommunity of Scientists, its members here developed a set of Bylaws.

The general mission of the membership in the Genome10K Consortium is to lead and accomplish genome sequencing, analysis and data release of approximately 10,000 different vertebrate species, with a focus on at least one species per genus. This target number could expand in the future to consider all ~66,000 named species of vertebrates.

In so doing, the Consortium aims to advance and support:

  • Generate reference quality genomes of vertebrates
  • Comparative genomic applications to human biomedical science
  • Evolutionary insights and understanding of the diversity of life
  • Discoveries that inform and improve species and ecosystem conservation
  • Functional genomic insight across all biological disciplines
  • International collaboration to support the mission and goals of G10K

Specific Goals of the G10K Consortium

  1. Contribute and generate reference quality assembled genomes of vertebrate species, including at least one reference quality genome of the ~9500 genera.
  2. Maintain a registrar of species sequenced and being sequenced.
  3. Develop standardized protocols for procuring, validating, storing and distributing biospecimens for whole genome sequencing.
  4. Set and promote standards for genome assembly, annotation, and specific types of genomic analyses.
  5. Ensure that G10K data are released to public databases in a timely fashion.
  6. Establish communities of scientists that will actively engage in accomplishing the mission of G10K.
  7. Maintain a G10K website and social media presence that communicates the goals and scientific progress of the G10K Consortium.
  8. Organize an annual scientific conference to discuss progress on achieving the mission and goals of the G10K Consortium.
  9. Obtain funding through grant proposals and other means to fulfill the mission and goals of the G10K Consortium.
  10. Coordinate with large-scale genome sequencing initiatives and consortia that advance genome science of other taxonomic groups.

Organization

G10K is a member organization that is open to all scientists who have an interest in collecting, sequencing, and analyzing the genomes of vertebrates. The governance structure of G10K comprises aG10K Governing Council, the G10K Trustees, and individual G10K Working Committees. The latter represents each class of vertebrates, genome assembly, annotations, funding, and other missions of the G10K Consortium. The details of each structure is as follows:

Membership

Membership in G10K is open to all scientists and stakeholders interested in or working on vertebrate genomes, or methods and technologies that advance the goals of the organization. Enrollment is per instructions on the G10K web site.
The G10K Governing Council will consist of 8-14 members elected in annual elections by the G10K membership. The Governing Council will include elected representatives from the working committees of the organization. Members of the Governing Council will serve three-year staggered terms. Six voting members will constitute a quorum for business meetings of the Governing Council.

Role and responsibilities of the Governing Council:

  • The Council will elect and appoint three officers: Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, for specified terms and voting authority.
  • The Council will approve working group chairs that the Chairperson nominates.
  • The Council will approve the location of the annual conference, and scientific organizer and local organizer, and help organize the meeting.
  • The Council will approve G10K policies, including those that the Chairperson and working group proposes, as well as standards and data releases.
  • The Council will approve non-trivial agreements or contracts made on behalf of G10K.
  • The Council members will participate in the regularly scheduled G10K conference calls.

Officers may be removed by a majority vote of the Governing Council.

Role and responsibilities of the Governing Council Chairperson:

  • The Chairperson will be an internationally respected scientist who will represent the collective interests of the G10K membership.
  • The Chairperson will be expected to lead fund raising efforts for G10K to achieve its mission and goals.
  • The Chairperson will appoint and coordinate the working groups so as to achieve the mission and goals of G10K.
  • The Chairperson will work in consultation with the Governing Council and the Trustees to raise funds, select the venue, appoint the local meeting Host, and create the program for the annual meeting.
  • The Chairperson will be the principal spokesperson for G10K.
  • The Chairperson will name a designated G10K Conference Chair who, with the Council, will be responsible for organizing the annual meeting of G10K.

Role and responsibilities of the Secretary and Treasurer

  • The Chairperson will be an internationally respected scientist who will represent the collective interests of the G10K membership.
  • The Chairperson will be expected to lead fund raising efforts for G10K to achieve its mission and goals.
  • The Chairperson will appoint and coordinate the working groups so as to achieve the mission and goals of G10K.
  • The Chairperson will work in consultation with the Governing Council and the Trustees to raise funds, select the venue, appoint the local meeting Host, and create the program for the annual meeting.
  • The Chairperson will be the principal spokesperson for G10K.
  • The Chairperson will name a designated G10K Conference Chair who, with the Council, will be responsible for organizing the annual meeting of G10K.

Trustees

The G10K Trustees will consist of persons that ensure institutional memory and experienced advice for Genome10K Governing Council members. They will have an ex officio status that is included in council discussions, but do not enjoy voting rights or responsibilities.

Working Committees

The G10K Working Committees will consist of G10K members that work on different taxonomic groups and critical scientific and administrative functions of the project. Working committees dealing with taxonomic groups will prepare and submit semi-annual reports on sequencing progress to the Governing Council.

Working Committees include:

 

Taxonomic groups

  • Mammals
  • Fish
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Reptiles
Science and administration

  • Genome sequencing
  • Genome assembly
  • Genome alignment and annotation
  • Phylogenetics
  • Comparative genomics
  • Informatics
  • Fund raising
  • Annual meeting organization
Other committees can be instituted or eliminated at the discretion of the Chair.

Bylaws

These Bylaws shall be in place when they are formally adopted by a quorum of the G10K Council (>5 members; >50% of the Council). Bylaws can be amended by a majority Council vote at scheduled G10K Council meetings.

 

Intermin Period

  •  The Trustees will appoint initial Officers and G10K Governing Council by Feb 22, 2017. Until then, the existing ad hoc G10K Executive Committee will serve the role of the Governing Council.
  • Elections for open positions on the Governing Council will begin November 1, 2018 for terms beginning in 2019 coordinated by The Council Secretary
  • New Trustees may be added by an ad hoc majority vote of the G10K membership.