ScotlandOGNplanning



= Introduction = This is a space to openly establish and manage the Scotland Open Government Civil Society Network. It has been set up to build openness around the process of building the movement for individual people and civil society who want to make government work better for people through transparency, participation and accountability.

The Open Government Scotland civil society network currently consists of the following:
 * Scotland OGN Forum - a members forum where people can register to engage in the network, connect with others, and engage with feedback from other network members
 * A Steering 'space' - this page, where anyone can engage in the strategic direction of the network
 * A set of network members who have offered to take on a specific delegated role on behalf of this group, as facilitators, coordinators and communicators. We need your input on how best to formalise this (see below).
 * The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is supporting the development of this network with support from the Big Lottery UK as part of the Open Government Pioneers Project UK.
 * A Group based on an open invitation to the Scotland OGN forum and representatives from Scottish Government that met in May 2017 in the High Street, Edinburgh and the Meeting was livestreamed

Why there needs to be a Scotland Civil Society Network
A Scotland Civil Society Network provides the space for dialogue and co-creation within civil society in the area of open government. As stated in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Participation & Co-Creation Standards, ‘civic participation is a core component of open government, and an essential element of the OGP cycle.’ Active engagement from people, communities and representatives of voluntary and community organisations in developing, securing and implementing lasting open government reforms is as basic expectation of the OGP process.

Current status
This page and the initial content has been set up by Paul Bradley (staff at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations - the network does not currently have a selected coordinator) on 7th April 2017 as a starting framework to prompt contributions to develop a Civil Society Network that can mobilise people around the issue of open government. This is an open wiki that anyone can edit and add or remove content. Feedback is currently being sought on draft terms of reference, Network facilitators and the next meeting of the OGN to be held in June.

Next steps
To ensure that an appropriate process is in place to establish and manage the Scotland Civil Society Network, a possible way forward would be to draw on the guidance and ideas for how to develop a multi-stakeholder forum from the OGP Support Unit. The Multistakeholder Forum Handbook is a publication based on research commissioned by the OGP Support Unit, the purpose of which was to capture different models of dialogue and collaboration and create practical, action oriented guidance and ideas for the OGP community. The following are proposed phases and next steps to establish and manage the Scotland Open Government Civil Society Network, based on the Multistakeholder Forum Handbook.
 * Phase One: Creation of the network
 * Phase Two: Managing the network
 * Phase Three: Network and plan implementation

= Development Activity =

Phase One: Creation of the Network (April – May 2017)
Focus: on preparatory work to set up a more formalised Civil Society Network with clear guidelines around purpose, membership, structures using outputs  from previous meetings and through open feedback mechanism.

Phase Three: Network and plan implementation (June onwards)
= Development Feedback = The prompt questions below have been based on the synopsis for forum/network design and management activities in the Multistakeholder Forum Handbook. They should be seen as a suggested starting point for contributors to support establishing and managing the Scotland Open Government Civil Society Network, but it is not an exhaustive list. '''Please insert your own questions or edit the current ones, and add your contributions. In particular, please focus on phase one.'''

Network and plan implementation
= Network Meetings =

June 2017
We would also like to set-up the next meeting of the OGN for the end of June 2017. Doodle poll here: https://doodle.com/poll/y9pb4dsxz2wfck2i Some suggested areas of focus for the meeting are:

= Network Structures (draft proposals) = As the Scotland Civil Society OGN grows and becomes more active, there will be a need to formalise the structure of the network to enable it to effectively co-ordinate action.

The Network has adopted the following loose structure in the early stages of development to encourage broad participation and new energy and commitment to open government and the OGN in Scotland. This structure is experimental and is open for testing and evaluation.
 * Open Steering Space
 * Network Facilitators
 * Mini-discussions
 * Coordinator

Open Steering Space
An open steering space exists for those interested in steering the development of the open government movement and associated network in Scotland. This space is designed for individuals to play a more active role in facilitating the direction of the Scotland Civil Society OGN, but does not act as an executive group of experts.

Through adopting an open space, the Network ensures that decision making and ideas formulation is open to as diverse group of people as possible and is not restricted to a closed group. The space is open for any Network Member to participate in and serves as a platform to develop the Network’s strategy, communications and engagement plans in an open and collaborative manner.

The activity of the steering space will be communicated on the OpenGovScot Forum and a meeting open to all Network members will take place at least once every quarter. This meeting will be livestreamed here and recorded.

Individuals participating within this space are responsible for:


 * Supporting    and overseeing the work of the OGN Coordinator and ensuring the smooth     running of the OGN
 * Expanding    the membership and reach of the OGN
 * Deciding    on areas of focus and discussion
 * Deciding    on necessary facilitators who host mini-discussions and/or engage with     external parties

Facilitators
Facilitators exist to host mini-discussions with the Network based around a particular theme or issue (for example, participatory budgeting).

Facilitators also provide the link between external parties – such as government – and the Scotland Civil Society OGN on their particular theme or issue. In the case of government,

Facilitators act as brokers who meet and engage with government counterparts and report back to the Network.

Any Scotland Civil Society OGN member can volunteer themselves to be a facilitator of a particular theme or issue. (MORE DETAIL REQUIRED ON SELECTION)

Facilitators have a particular responsibility to abide by and exhibit the OGN’s principles. Any member that does not abide by them can be required to step down by the Network.

Mini-discussions
Mini-discussions in the Network will generally involve fewer participants than usual steering space meetings. They are hosted by Facilitators of a particular theme or issue, who are tasked with reporting into the OpenGovScot list as well as the steering space meetings that take place on a quarterly basis. Any Network member can take part in a mini-discussion and they do not need to be considered an expert to contribute.

= Developing Terms of Reference (draft) = Scotland Civil Society

Open Government Network

Draft terms of reference (for discussion in OpenGovScot Forum)

1. Introduction
The Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network (OGN) is a coalition of individuals and organisations committed to making government work better for people through transparency, participation and accountability.

This document sets out the Scotland OGN’s draft terms of reference for discussion in the OpenGovScot Forum.

2. Background
The development of the Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network coincides with Scotland securing a unique place in the international Open Government Partnership (OGP).

The OGP is a global effort to make governments more effective through securing commitments to greater transparency, participation and accountability. The Partnership was formally launched in 2011.

Full members of the partnership, of which the UK Government is one, must submit National Action Plans with a two-year lifespan that are collaboratively developed with civil society. Progress against these plans is then independently evaluated by the OGP. The UK’s third (2016-18) OGP National Action Plan was published in June 2016, and Scottish civil society organisations mobilised to contribute to the planning process.

In 2016, the Partnership set up a new pilot program to consider how the principles of the OGP could filter down to a more local level. Scotland was one of 15 subnational governments selected to be part of this pilot and submitted an Action Plan with a one-year lifespan over 2017. A loose civil society network contributed to the development of the plan, consisting of relevant skills, experience and knowledge needed to make a legitimate contribution to the plan.

As we look to make these more local connections, Scotland’s civil society network should become more structured to ensure an effective relationship with government in our efforts to open up policy and decision making, and to increase civil society knowledge about open government in Scotland.

3.  Purpose
The Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network was formed on the back of Scotland joining the Open Government Partnership, and with a focus on: The Network works to mobilise and coordinate civil society advocacy for government and other public institutions to work better through transparency, participation and accountability.
 * expanding civil society involvement in the open government movement through increasing knowledge and awareness of open government in Scotland; and
 * engaging with the development and review of the UK’s and Scotland’s Open Government Action Plans.

Through initiating outreach and increasing engagement across Scottish civil society, the Network serves as an engine for new ideas and as a collective voice to collaborate with and challenge government.

4.  Membership
Membership of the Network is open to any individual or civil society organisation, on the condition that they: Individuals join the Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network by signing up to the OpenGovScot list on the Open Government Forum.
 * 1) Endorse the Open Government Declaration
 * 2) Abide by the Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network’s principles
 * 3) Remain in good standing throughout their participation in OGN activities

Members of the Scotland Civil Society OGN may choose to be associated with, and act as the representative of an organisation by indicating this on their OpenGovScot list profile and in their statements in network activities, but only insofar as the stated goals of that organisation are working towards the public (rather than private) interest and are compatible with the OGN’s principles.

The Network is of the view that any individual should be able to become a member. This includes political advisors working with government or government officials, on the condition that they participate in Network activities in a personal capacity.

Membership rights include being on the OpenGovScot mailing list, attending meetings, contributing to OGN’s work on OGP, and being involved in Network related planning, outreach and communications.

5.  Principles
When taking part in the activities of the Scotland Civil Society OGN, all members should abide by the Nolan principles of public life: In addition:
 * 1) Selflessness - Act solely in terms of the public interest.
 * 2) Integrity - Avoid placing yourself under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence you in your work. Do not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. Declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
 * 3) Objectivity - Act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
 * 4) Accountability - Be accountable to the public for your decisions and actions and submit yourself to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
 * 5) Openness - Take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
 * 6) Honesty - Be truthful.
 * 7) Leadership - Exhibit these principles in your own behaviour. Actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
 * Members of the Scotland Civil Society OGN may represent themselves as being part of the OGN, but cannot speak on its behalf
 * Members should engage constructively with the activities of the Scotland Civil Society OGN

6.  Structure
As the Scotland Civil Society OGN grows and becomes more active, there will be a need to formalise the structure of the network to enable it to effectively co-ordinate action.

The Network has adopted the following loose structure in the early stages of development to encourage broad participation and new energy and commitment to open government and the OGN in Scotland. This structure is experimental and is open for testing and evaluation.
 * Open Steering Space
 * Network Facilitators
 * Mini-discussions
 * Coordinator

 Open Steering Space 

An open steering space exists for those interested in steering the development of the open government movement and associated network in Scotland. This space is designed for individuals to play a more active role in facilitating the direction of the Scotland Civil Society OGN, but does not act as an executive group of experts.

Through adopting an open space, the Network ensures that decision making and ideas formulation is open to as diverse group of people as possible and is not restricted to a closed group. The space is open for any Network Member to participate in and serves as a platform to develop the Network’s strategy, communications and engagement plans in an open and collaborative manner.

The activity of the steering space will be communicated on the OpenGovScot Forum and a meeting open to all Network members will take place at least once every quarter. This meeting will be livestreamed here and recorded.

Individuals participating within this space are responsible for:


 * Supporting and overseeing the work of the OGN Coordinator and ensuring the smooth running of the OGN
 * Expanding the membership and reach of the OGN
 * Deciding on areas of focus and discussion
 * Deciding on necessary facilitators who host mini-discussions and/or engage with external parties

 Facilitators 

Facilitators exist to host mini-discussions with the Network based around a particular theme or issue (for example, participatory budgeting).

Facilitators also provide the link between external parties – such as government – and the Scotland Civil Society OGN on their particular theme or issue. In the case of government,

Facilitators act as brokers who meet and engage with government counterparts and report back to the Network.

Any Scotland Civil Society OGN member can volunteer themselves to be a facilitator of a particular theme or issue. (MORE DETAIL REQUIRED ON SELECTION)

Facilitators have a particular responsibility to abide by and exhibit the OGN’s principles. Any member that does not abide by them can be required to step down by the Network.

 Mini-discussions 

Mini-discussions in the Network will generally involve fewer participants than usual steering space meetings. They are hosted by Facilitators of a particular theme or issue, who are tasked with reporting into the OpenGovScot list as well as the steering space meetings that take place on a quarterly basis. Any Network member can take part in a mini-discussion and they do not need to be considered an expert to contribute.

 Coordinator 

The Scotland Civil Society OGN coordinator has responsibility for:
 * Administering and coordinating the OGN
 * Expanding the membership of the OGN
 * Engaging with the relevant government policy team with responsibility for the OGP
 * Publicising the work of the OGN

The coordinator is selected by and works on the behalf of the OGN. They should represent the interests of the OGN over those of their host organisation, if they have one. The coordinator has a particular responsibility to abide by and exhibit the OGN’s principles.

The coordinator role can be reviewed at the instigation of the Network. The appointment of a coordinator must be conducted in an open manner, through open nominations and a consensual process or ballot if necessary.

As the OGN is not itself a formally constituted organisation, the coordinator, with support from the wider network, is responsible for securing the necessary funding to perform their role.

7. Decision Making
The Scotland Civil Society OGN seeks to operate through a process of consensus decision making.

Any documents, public statements or positions adopted by the OGN should clearly describe the basis on which they are made.

Four main methods of decision making and public statement are proposed:

 Network consensus 

Where a text has been open for discussion by the network for at least two weeks, and the draft text itself has been posted to the network mailing list for not less than one week, with a clear statement to the effect that it is proposed as a network decision.

Consensus will be deemed to be reached in the event of (a) no objections or modifications to the text being suggested during that period; (b) all those who have raised objections or suggested modifications being satisfied that their views have been taken into account.

Network consensus should be used for any strategic decision making by the network.

 Network signatures 

Where a text has been put forward, and network members are invited to add their signatures to that statement, either as individuals, or on behalf of their organisations.

Texts of this form should be presented as coming from 'Members of the Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network'.

This process can be combined with network consensus, to allow for a text to be presented as 'A position of the Open Government Civil Society Network'

Where sub-groups or mini-discussions are formed (e.g. for conversation with specific government departments), these groups should be clear that they are speaking as a group of members of the Network, and not on behalf of the Network, unless they have a mandate through a consensus process.

 Network vote 

If consensus is not possible due to timescales, the Network will vote, fully taking into account any and all available evidence as to the views of Network members.

Any such decisions shall be communicated to the Network mailing list, and shall be communicated publicly as a statement 'Voted on by Members of the Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network'.

 Coordinator’s statement 

The Coordinator of the network may make such operational day-to-day decisions as are required for their role.

The Coordinator can represent their actions as of 'The Coordinator of the Scotland Civil Society Open Government Network'.

The Coordinator should provide a regular report, no less than annually, to the full Network, on their activities.

= Network Communications =

Communications Plan
This is a starter framework for the Scotland Civil Society Network Communications Plan. This plan will help the network to identify methods, moments and opportunities to prepare communications and act effectively and openly. This framework can be adjusted as required by contributors.

Why do we want to communicate with these audiences? (What’s the purpose?) Who do we want to communicate it to? (Who’s the audience?)

What do you want to communicate? (What’s the message?) How do we want to communicate it? (What communication channels will the network use?)

Who should we contact and what should we do in order to use those channels? (How will the network distribute the message?)