1. Mission.  Working Groups (WGs) are established to address issues and areas of interest and concern in ornithological science from both basic and applied perspectives when such needs arise and require attention.  IOU WGs consist of experts in the field and reach out to ornithologists, conservationists, policy makers, non-governmental organizations, educators, and other stakeholders.

2.   Membership.  Each WG comprises a Chair, a Co-Chair, and WG members, all of whom need to be IOU members and are preferably from different countries. Established experts and institutions in the field may contribute to the Working Group as designated consultants without being IOU members. The Chair and Co-Chair are appointed by the IOU President.  IOU members interested in joining a particular WG may do so by contacting the WG Chair or Co-Chair, who may also actively recruit members. The Chair must keep a record of WG members and its business. 

3.   Formation of a new WG.  Proposals for establishing a WG must include a mission statement and guidelines for the operation of the WG and for the dissemination of its proceedings, policies, and other products or services. Proposals for new WGs, including the names of the co-chairs, must be signed by at least four IOU members and may be submitted to the IOU President at any time. Submissions within 6 months of an IOCongress will be considered after that IOCongress. Proposals are reviewed by the IOU President and IOU Council. Upon recommendation by the IOU Council, the President appoints the Chair, the Co-Chair, and approves the official establishment of a WG with its nominated members and consultants under IOU auspices.

4.   Responsibilities.  The Chair of a WG provides a written report on his or her group’s past four years and prospective activities (1) to the IOU Secretary three months before an IOCongress in order to present it at the Council and Members meetings during an IOCongress, and (2) to the IOU President within three months of the conclusion of each IOCongress. All WGs must organize a Round-Table Discussion, a Symposium, or an equivalent event on a subject relevant to their mission statement at each IOCongress and must prepare abstracts for these initiatives for the IOCongress program publications. WGs must also prepare and update relevant information for posting on the IOU web site.

 5. Terms of appointment.  The terms of appointment of WGs and their co-chairs, members and consultants are in principle indefinite, but are subject to review and renewal by the IOU President after each IOCongress. Renewal will generally be granted by the President upon receiving the required report on WG activities (see paragraph 4). In the interval between an IOCongress and presidential approval, a WG may continue to operate as in the previous inter-congressional interval. Failure to submit the required report to the President for review, failure to organize a Round-Table Discussion or Symposium at an IOCongress, failure to provide and update materials for posting on the IOU web site, or actions considered by the IOU Executive Committee to be detrimental to the interests of the IOU may result in the dissolution of a WG.  A dissolved WG may be reactivated upon submission of a revised proposal to the IOU President and upon the recommendation by the IOU Executive Committee and IOU President.  WGs are encouraged to make recommendations regarding the length of their Chair’s term.