Campaigns Committee/Terms of Reference

Approved at NC Meeting 13/02/2013

Summary of Purpose
The Campaigns Committee (herein after the committee) is responsible for developing and implementing the Party's campaigning strategy and direction. The aim of the committee is to engage our Party members, volunteers and the general public through campaigns and a coherent identity, advocating our Party's core political philosophy, platform and policy.

Campaigns Officer
The committee will be co-ordinated by the Campaigns Officer (CO), who will be appointed by the National Council.

Committee Members
The committee should have no less than 5 members (including the CO) and up to a maximum of 7 members. Members of the committee are appointed by approval of a majority vote of the National Council. Application for membership of the committee can be made by Party members directly to the National Council. The committee can also provide a recommendation of a suitable candidate for the consideration of the National Council after approval by a majority vote of the committee.

Committee members are required to devote time and effort to accomplish the goals of the committee. Committee members will be expected to organise themselves internally to chair and manage meetings, form sub-committees and work groups for the development and execution of specific strategies and campaigns. The minimum requirements a member of this committee should have are:


 * the ability to work professionally within a committee structure;
 * a good understanding of the Pirate Party Australia platform and policies, and;
 * ability to provide ideas and leadership in the strategic direction of the committee and its activities.

Powers & Responsibility
The purpose of the committee is to develop, plan and execute campaigns by effectively allocating the resources of the committee to advance the objectives of the Party. The committee shall work with all stakeholders as necessary in advocating the Party's core political philosophy, platform and policy to Party members and the general public.

Obligations
The committee shall:
 * seek final approval from the National Council for all campaigns and projects which directly interact with members of the Party or the public.

Responsibility
The committee is responsible for:
 * producing an annual Strategic Plan outlining the intended activities and direction of the committee and foreseeable campaigns before the end of January each year.

Powers
The committee has the power to:
 * create and dissolve work groups and sub-committees;
 * appoint and dismiss Party members from work groups and sub-committees;
 * liaise with external service and product providers for quotes on campaign related materials and services.
 * liaise with external organisations in the development and collaboration of multi-organisational campaigns and projects.
 * monitor compliance of Party policies and guidelines covering:
 * identity, branding and marketing;
 * social media, and;
 * other such areas as directed by the National Council.

The committee shall execute its powers in a democratic fashion, following the Decision Making Procedure as outlined below.

Reporting
The committee must inform the National Council:
 * when the committee begins development of a new campaign or project;
 * when the committee completes or ends a campaign or project;
 * when the committee requires final approval for a project or campaign;
 * when the creating or dissolving a working group or sub-committee, and;
 * by reporting the activities and progress of the committee at least once per month.

The CO (or a nominated stand in) shall be responsible for:
 * scheduling and chairing regular meetings of the committee, at least once every 2 months;
 * creating and circulating agendas for committee meetings in collaboration with committee members;
 * maintain a wiki page of information, committee members, meeting minutes and such other information as relevant to the committee.

Project Management
The committee will be responsible for managing and overseeing any projects undertaken by the committee.

Timeline
The committee shall take into account such important events and dates of the Party and allocate resources where necessary.

Budgetary Requirements
The committee shall develop appropriate budgetary requirements for each campaign and project on an individual basis and gain approval from the National Council before authorising or incurring any financial expense on behalf of the Party.

Tools and Procedures for Communication
The committee may determine its own tools and procedures for communication, these tools, procedures and the means of communication must be accessible and available to all members of the Party.

Decision Making Procedure
Decision making should be democratic, and decisions made through consensus. The committee will not be able to make decisions solely, except where these terms of reference allow.

Expected Duration
Indefinite.