Volunteer Information

PWSRCAC actively recruits for new committee volunteers early each year. Volunteers are appointed to committees by the board in an annual application process, completed in consultation with committee chairs and staff.

Volunteers are appointed for staggered two-year terms. Each committee has at least one member from the PWSRCAC board of directors. This committee structure is stipulated in PWSRCAC’s bylaws and in OPA 90.

Most committees meet monthly and often by teleconference because many members live in remote communities throughout Southcentral Alaska. Most members donate anywhere from 5 to 10 hours per month, although this varies by committee.

Download a volunteer application (pdf/11KB)

Visit our Volunteer Information page.

Committees Introduction

Ravens-photo by Stan Jones, PWSRCAC

For information on volunteering, contact Outreach Coordinator Linda Robinson at 907.273.6235.

Much of the council’s work is done through permanent volunteer committees made up of board members, technical experts, and local citizens with an interest in making oil transportation safer in Alaska. These standing committees work with staff on projects, study and deliberate current oil transportation issues, and formulate their own advice and recommendations to the full PWSRCAC Board of Directors. The committees provide an avenue for public participation in the council’s work.

All committee-generated advice and recommendations are presented to the PWSRCAC Board of Directors for consideration. Committee members and staff work together to advance projects. Committees often work with representatives of Alyeska, other industry groups, regulatory agencies, and other outside groups on special projects and in working groups. However, committees have no authority independent of the council.

Executive Director John Devens invites new volunteers to join the council (audio, 2007)

Standing Committees

The standing committees that advise the Board of Directors are organized by program area:

Oil Spill Prevention and Response Committee (OSPR)
OSPR focuses on reducing the size and frequency of oil spills, as well as reducing the harm caused by oil spills.

Port Operations and Vessel Traffic Systems Committee (POVTS)
POVTS focuses on monitoring the improvements of port and vessel traffic navigation systems, iceberg detection, weather considerations and tanker inspections.

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
SAC sponsors independent scientific research and provides scientific assistance and advice to the other committees.

Terminal Operations and Environmental Monitoring Committee (TOEM)
TOEM focuses on reducing and monitoring pollution caused by routine terminal and tanker operations.

A TOEM-day outing on the walkway to Berth 4 at the VMT--photo by Tom Kuckertz, PWSRCAC

The following two committees consist of board members only.

Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC)
LAC monitors developments in the Alaska Legislature.

Finance Committee
The finance committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing the financial affairs of PWSRCAC.

Special Committees

Executive Committee (XCOM)
XCOM is a subset of the full board of directors with decision-making authority.

Project Teams

Project teams may consist of staff, board members and committee volunteers with a particular expertise or interest. They provide focused input and direction for existing projects to ensure that deadlines are met and that board and committee advice is available to assist in the development of work products. PWSRCAC contractors involved in specific projects may also be included in a project team except during discussions of contracting issues such as, but not limited to, development of RFPs and selection of contractors.

Project teams meet on a frequent, as needed basis and their work efforts may include, but are not limited to, reviewing contractor proposals and participating in contractor selection for board and/or executive director approval; reviewing contractor project scope, materials, reports and other deliverables; and providing input and direction on specific or general project elements.

Project team efforts are advisory only and report to the PWSRCAC technical committee assigned to the particular project(s) for additional input, development, and for final recommendation to the full board or Executive Committee. Examples of PWSRCAC project teams include: C-Plan Project Team, Dispersants Project Team, and the LTEMP Project Team.

Work Groups

Work groups may be set up by PWSRCAC, industry or regulators as an external multi-stakeholder process to help develop and guide a project, regulation, statute or general concept. A work group should operate with a specific mission statement and protocols for meetings, communications, and responsibilities.

Work groups may consist of PWSRCAC staff, board members, committee volunteers, and/or contractors along with industry representatives and regulators, non-governmental organization representatives and citizens with a particular expertise or interest needed to provide input and direction. Work group efforts are reported to the PWSRCAC technical committee assigned to the particular project(s) as well as any relevant project teams for additional input, development, and direction. Efforts and products of work groups may be made highly visible outside of PWSRCAC.

PWSRCAC representatives on a work group must seek approval of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee on positions and/or work products prior to making a commitment on behalf of PWSRCAC, unless a previously approved position exists.

Examples of work groups include ice detection work group (sponsored by PWSRCAC), fire symposium work group (sponsored by PWSRCAC), ballast water treatment work group (sponsored by ADEC), and the non-indigenous species work group (sponsored by PWSRCAC).

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