The TTF is intended as a working organization, dedicated to furthering transport research by bringing together transport researchers employing different tool sets (i.e. theory, computation and experiments) from a broad range of institutions. By fostering collaboration and coordination, it is expected that progress on this challenging and important topic will be greatly accelerated.
TTF Chair: The TTF Chair is the overall leader of the TTF and will represent TTF to other parts of the program and in the broader science community; propose new initiatives within TTF including changes in working group structure; organize the annual TTF workshop, including preparing the agenda for approval by the Executive Committee; coordinate activities with International groups including the European TTF; and report to the TTF Steering Committee and OFES on TTF activities. The TTF chair convenes and presides over the Executive Committee. The TTF chair is responsible for maintaining a list of all TTF members used to communicate about the annual workshop, any changes in the TTF organization, disseminating any other information that they would find useful and for polling members for input on decisions or initiatives. The TTF chair will ensure that the TTF web site is up to date with respect to upcoming meetings and TTF organization.
TTF Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair will succeed the chair at the end of his/her term and aid the chair in whatever duties that may be required. The Vice-Chair is a voting member of the Executive Committee.
Working Group Leaders: The working group leaders provide the operational leadership for the TTF. With their groups they should discuss and plan collaborative research aimed at fostering the TTF mission. The Working Group Leaders should keep a list of all working group participants to keep them informed about group activities including upcoming elections. The Working Group leaders organize the “parallel” sessions at the annual workshop and may also convene meetings (other than the annual workshop) or teleconferences at any time to discuss and further research in their areas.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee represents the working groups and through these all TTF members. Executive Committee members decide by majority vote on any major initiative proposed by the TTF chair including the addition or elimination of working groups and the appointment of new Working Group Leaders. The Executive Committee acts a program committee for the annual workshop, ratifying the meeting structure and location proposed by the chair and approving the Plenary session agendas. The Executive Committee will meet in person at least twice a year; once during the annual TTF workshop and once during the annual APS/DPP meeting.
Steering Committee: The Steering Committee represents fusion community stakeholders including research institutions, major facilities, past TTF chairs and OFES. As such it will meet annually to hear a report from current TTF chair. One of the purposes of the Steering Committee is to provide advice and guidance to the TTF Chair. In addition, as the representative of the stakeholders, the Steering Committee votes to ratify any major initiative, including changes to this constitution, that would change the structure, mission or major policies of the TTF. The Steering Committee is chaired by the most recent past TTF Chair.
TTF members: TTF members are any scientist or student with an active interest in participating in TTF activities.
TTF Chair: The TTF Chair serves one 2 year term. At the end of each term, the current Vice-Chair becomes the new TTF Chair.
TTF Vice-Chair: The TTF Vice-Chair serves one 2 year term. To elect the Vice-Chair, nominations are sought from TTF membership and voted on by the executive committee. The election is decided by a simple plurality. If the TTF chair leaves his post before the end of his term, the Vice-Chair takes over that position, serving out the remainder of the term. If the Chair steps down with most of his term remaining (two meetings), this would count as the full term as Chair for the Vice-Chair who takes over. In this case, or in the case where the Vice-Chair steps down, an election for a new Vice-Chair would be held immediately.
Working Group Leaders: Working Group Leaders serve for a 3 year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms. They are elected by the Executive Committee based on nominations from TTF membership. This Deputy is elected by the Working Group following nominations solicited from the TTF membership. The terms of the Working Group leaders and deputy are staggered. If the Working Group Leader steps down before the end of a term, the Deputy takes over, serving out the remainder of the term. In this case, or the case where the Deputy steps down, an election would be held for a new Deputy. The Working Group Leader and Deputy shall not come from the same institution. Each working group can have international advisors, to be chosen by the working group and TTF leaders.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is made up of the TTF Chair, Vice Chair, the Working Group leadership and the immediate past TTF Chair. To promote breadth, Executive Committee members will represent the widest range of U.S. institutions as possible. The TTF chair may also invite international representatives, as appropriate, to executive committee meetings. The international members will be able to participate in discussions, meeting planning, etc., but will not have voting rights for the TTF and Working Group leadership.
Steering Committee: The Steering Committee membership consists of one representative from each of the major U.S. institutions involved in fusion and plasma transport-related research. as well as each of the past TTF Chairs. OFES representatives will sit with the Steering Committee as non-voting members. The Steering Committee is chaired by the most recent past TTF Chair.
The Steering Committee will vote to ratify any proposed amendments to this constitution. Amendments can be proposed by the chair or any member of the Steering Committee. A vote of 60% of committee members is required to approve an amendment. The same procedure is to be used to enact this version of the constitution.
This constitution was revised in 2011 and went into effect in January 2012. The revisions were made to clarify a number of procedural issues.