Steering Committee Charter

I. Establishment

The Steering Committee ("Steering Committee") is hereby established to provide programmatic guidance for the Open Education Association ("Association"). The Steering Committee operates under the oversight of the Association's Board of Directors ("Board") and works in collaboration with the Association's staff and other community leadership.

II. Purpose

The Steering Committee exists to ensure that the Association's programmatic activities reflect the needs, perspectives, and priorities of its membership and the broader open education field.

III. Scope

The Steering Committee is responsible for providing strategic guidance on programmatic activities, subject to the oversight of the Board. This encompasses:

  1. Advising on programmatic activities to ensure alignment with the Association's strategic objectives, guiding principles, and community needs.

  2. Collaborating with staff to review plans, activities, and communications.

  3. Conducting outreach and inviting perspectives from within and outside the community.

  4. Advocating for the Association within personal and professional networks.

  5. Advising on the development of long-term sustainability and community governance plans.

  6. Modeling and ensuring accountability to the Association's Participation Standards.

  7. Reporting findings and recommendations to the Board.

IV. Composition

The composition of the Steering Committee is:

  1. Nine (9) voting seats representing a broad range of perspectives in U.S. higher education, which must be filled by members in good standing.

  2. One (1) ex officio seat for the President of the Board, who votes only in case of a tie.

  3. The following non-voting seats:

    1. One project manager representing SPARC.

    2. One liaison representing DOERS.

    3. One liaison representing the regional interstate higher education compacts.

    4. One liaison representing the Open Education Conference Advisory Board.

    5. Any additional non-voting seats the Steering Committee may create.

V. Selection and Service

  1. Initial Appointments. The currently serving members of the Steering Committee are appointed as of the effective date of this Charter.

  2. Liaison Appointments. Liaisons are appointed by their respective constituencies, subject to confirmation by the Board.

  3. Vacancies. Vacancies in voting seats are filled by vote of the Steering Committee, subject to confirmation by the Board.

  4. Resignation. A member may resign at any time by providing written notice to staff.

  5. Removal. The Steering Committee may vote to remove a member for non-participation, violation of the Participation Standards, or lapse of membership, subject to confirmation by the Board.

  6. Terms. All current terms end on December 31, 2026, or when successors are confirmed under an updated or replacement charter, whichever occurs later.

VI. Meetings and Decision-Making

  1. Meeting Frequency. The Steering Committee meets at regular intervals it determines.

  2. Decision-Making. The Steering Committee strives to make decisions by consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, a decision may be made by majority vote of voting members present.

  3. Quorum. A majority of voting members then in office constitutes a quorum.

VII. Internal Procedures

The Steering Committee may establish and amend additional policies and procedures regarding its internal operations, including the designation of internal officer positions, provided that such procedures are consistent with this Charter and applicable Association policies.

VIII. Authority of the Board

Nothing in this Charter shall be construed to limit the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary, legal, or financial responsibilities for the Association in accordance with the Association's Bylaws, policies, and applicable law. All authority granted to the Steering Committee under this Charter is programmatic in nature and operates subject to the Board's overarching responsibility for the governance of the Association and its programs.

IX. Review

The Board will review and revise or replace this Charter by December 31, 2026, including provisions for the election of members, succession planning, and ongoing composition. The Board will consult with the Steering Committee and the Association's membership as part of this process.

X. Adoption

This Charter takes effect on March 31, 2026 and formalizes the Steering Committee structure described in the Association's Governance Roadmap, adopted October 23, 2025.

Updated: March 31, 2026