Roles and responsibilities of working group chairs and vice chairs Go back »

2013-02-05 | Beijing, Shanghai

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKING GROUP CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS

 

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China European Chamber serves as the voice of European business in China and provides an avenue of communication with Chinese and European political and economic circles. As the major driver of these communications, as well as major responsibilities for membership recruitment and retention, the Working Group* Chairs and Vice Chairs are integral to the European Chamber’s pillar services.

 

In order to ensure that all prospective Working Group representatives are aware of the basic roles and responsibilities  required of Working Group Chairs and Vice Chairs, the European Chamber secretariat has developed this guidance document to be circulated to all members when calling for candidacy for these posts prior to annual Working Group elections.

WORKING GROUP CHAIRPERSON

 

Overview

The Chairperson plays a key role in driving the development of the Working Group. With support from the Business Manager or Working Group Coordinator (BM), they promote the Working Group’s activities and communicate targeted messages on behalf of industry to policy makers and key stakeholders in China and Europe. They also serve as spokesperson to raise the Working Group’s visibility in the media and at relevant events when appropriate. The European Chamber recommends the maximum duration of Chairmanship of a Working Group as three years.


Tasks 

 

Develop and promote the Working Group activities in coordination with the BM:

  • Actively guide the activities, strategy and priorities of the Working Group
  • Propose and identify topics/issues/speakers for Working Group meetings
  • Chair Working Group meetings
  • Approve minutes of meetings
  • Help identify and approach potential members of the Working Group
  • Act as a point of reference for Working Group members

 

Develop and draft the Position Paper in coordination with the BM:

  • Identify the key concerns of the business sector with Working Group members
  • Assist the BM in drafting the Position Paper and other Working Group related documents in suitable tones/language

 

Develop and communicate Working Group messages to key interlocutors in coordination with the BM:

  • Develop and support the implementation of a lobby action plan for the Position Paper and for other key issues as they arise
  • Present the Position Paper at the Position Paper press launch if required and, if possible, the yearly Brussels Circuit
  • Present the key concerns of business to the Chinese government and relevant Chinese stakeholder organisations, visiting European officials, European diplomatic & business communities if required
  • Present/represent the Working Group at relevant events/seminars/conferences

 

Develop and communicate Working Group messages to the media in coordination with the BM:

  • Act as spokesperson for the Working Group when required
  • Be prepared to give interviews to selected media agencies

 

Assist in the recruitment of new members to the Working Group in coordination with the BM:

·         Identify potential new member companies that would add value to the Working Group

·         Approach potential new member companies in coordination with the BM

·         Join the BM in meetings with potential new members to promote the Working Group when possible

 

WORKING GROUP VICE CHAIRPERSON

 

Overview

The Vice Chairperson plays a supporting role to the Chair of the Working Group. The Vice Chair should assist the Chair when needed in driving the development of the Working Group and can also represent the Working Group in communicating messages to policy makers and stakeholders in China and Europe. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair should take over the responsibilities of the Chair.

 

 


* In this document, Working Group refers to both European Chamber Working Groups and Forums