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Creating or Joining an RDA Interest Group

RDA Interest Groups (IGs) bring together community experts dedicated to advancing data sharing, exchange, and interoperability, either directly or indirectly.

Creating an Interest Group (IG)

To initiate the formation of an RDA IG, interested parties should complete an RDA Group Initiation Request Form. Please note that only one initiation request form per group is accepted. Follow these steps to create an IG:

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  1. Charter: Each IG needs to develop a Charter, following the Interest Group Charter template, outlining activities and appointing two to four co-chairs. The Charter must be added to the group via the RDA Group creation form – The Secretariat is happy to help with this step, please email enquiries@rd-alliance.org if you would like assistance.
  2. RDA Group Creation Form: Please proceed to this link to fill out the form, ensuring to include the Charter.
  3. RDA Group Review: Once the group creation form is submitted, the Secretariat will publish the Charter on the RDA Homepage’s RfC box and informs the Technical Advisory Board (Tab), Council, and the broader community of its availability for review.
    1. Community review: The community has a minimum of 4-weeks to provide feedback. In case of substantial comments, the WG should update the Charter accordingly. 
    2. TAB review: In parallel to the Community review, the TAB reviews the Charter over 4-6 weeks, reaching one of three conclusions:
      1. Acceptance: the Charter is accepted and will be forwarded on to Council for final review.
      2. Requiring revisions: TAB will notify the group chairs of the required changes. Once made, TAB will review and approve the revised Charter and forwarded on to Council for final review.
      3. Rejection: TAB will provide reasons for the decision to the group chairs.
    3. Council review: Upon acceptance by TAB, the Charter undergoes a 2-week review by the Council, which can result in four possible decisions:
      1. Recognized and endorsed: Group is recognized as RDA IG and should commence its work.
      2. Recognized and endorsed subject to specific revisions: Worthwhile idea, changes need to be made to strengthen the Charter and meet approval criteria. After the approach has been modified, the group will be recognized by RDA and commence its work.
      3. Encouraged but not presently endorsed: Good idea but needs refinement. The group needs to mature its concept and refine its Charter for approval. Council and/or TAB will provide specific feedback and clarification on what is needed.
      4. Not endorsed: The idea is not a good fit for the RDA or does not meet other criteria for approval. Council will provide specific feedback and clarification. Council may feel that the group may be more appropriate as discussion-oriented Interest Groups, from which specific outcome-oriented Working Group ideas and Charter submissions may arise later
    4. IG Endorsement: If Council perceives reasonable community consistence and clear needs, deliverables, and beneficiaries, they formally recognize the group.
Figure1: IG Case Statement Review Process – from Charter Development to Endorsement.

Joining an Interest Group (IG)

Any RDA member can join a IG by selecting “Join group” on the group’s page. You can find a list of the current RDA WGs here. If you are not yet an RDA member, you can sign up by clicking on this link.

Making Changes to an existing Interest Group (IG)

For any changes to Interest Group leadership, name, or charter, contact the RDA Secretariat at enquiries@rd-alliance.org. Typically, changes to the group’s name or Charter involve a one-month community review followed by expedited review by TAB and Council.

Interest Groups are encouraged to refresh their charters approximately every 3-5 years to ensure alignment with evolving goals and priorities.

Closing out an Interest Group (IG)

Interest Groups operate indefinitely but can be closed if necessary. Co-chairs wishing to close an Interest Group should notify the RDA Secretariat at enquiries@rd-alliance.org, stating reasons for closure. The Secretariat will guide through the process of closure and next steps.

Additional Information

Copyright Licence: To ensure the continued right to share, use and build upon the work produced by the RDA community through its various Groups, the RDA rightfully applies the following Licensing information:

“All RDA Recommendations are under a Creative Commons Attributin 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) and all authors, generators, contributors and users of RDA Recommendations are governed by these licensing regulations”.