NDSA MEMBERSHIP MODEL

Membership

As an initiative of the Library of Congress National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP), the Alliance is open to United States government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and businesses with commitments and activities in the areas of collecting, preserving, or ensuring long-term access to digital content. International organizations are also welcome to join as affiliate members.

Term of Membership

The first term of membership expires December 31, 2013. The term of Membership will be for three (3) years thereafter.

Recommendations for Membership

Membership will be at the institutional level, but participation on Working Groups is open to one or more individual participants at the institution.
Applications are welcome from consortia, provided that there is a clear representative identified to participate from each consortium.
Applications are welcome from commercial companies and IT vendors, provided that these members agree to the values of the NDSA and understand that the NDSA requires all members to follow rules of neutrality.
International Organizations will have Affiliate status rather than full membership. (See below for different rights and privileges)
Membership should be open and the process by which new members can join is through:
- Application process via online form (see current form: http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/ndsaform/index.php)
- Review and processing by Secretariat
- Membership is contingent upon fulfilling the eligibility requirements

Eligibility

Members will have demonstrated a commitment to digital preservation.
Members will share the stated values of the Alliance.
Members will agree to maintain vendor neutrality.
Members will agree to participate in one or more working groups.

Rights and Privileges

Full Members

Members will have one vote on organizational and governance matters affecting the Alliance, e.g., voting for coordinating committee nominees, regardless of how many participants they contribute to the NDSA.
Individual participants will have effective decision-making power at the Working Group level, e.g., deciding on work plans and work products.
Members may send representatives to participate in NDSA annual meetings.

Affiliate Members

Member organizations may send representatives to participate in the annual meetings of the NDSA but do not have voting rights.
Members may participate in the work of the Working Groups at the Action Team level.