Charter for Task Force

In 2004, Fermilab formed the Fermilab Community Task Force on Public Participation. The purpose of the task force is to develop a set of mutual expectations for how Fermilab will interact with the community on issues that affect them both. Fermilab is asking the task force to provide three types of advice:

• Guidelines that Fermilab can use to identify the types of issues that need community interaction
• Recommendations for how Fermilab should interact with the community, based on the type of issue being addressed
• Recommedations for how Fermilab should keep the community informed about these types of issues

Why is a Task Force Needed?
Fermilab believes that a good relationship with its neighbors is essential for the lab to make decisions of the highest quality, which can be implemented and sustained.

Since the Fermilab site was selected by the U.S. Department of Enefty in 1966, the surrounding communities have undergone a dramatic transformation. Sparesly populated famlands have given way to rapidly expanding neighborhoods and businesses. Likewise, the world of physics has changed, and in order to stay current on the cutting edge of science, Fermilab expects to make big decisions in the future. For example, some scientists have suggested the construction of larger and more advanced accelerator research facilities.

While no specific propoals are being considered at this time, Fermilab believes it is important to understand th ecommunity's needs for information and interaction before a decision is needed. The recommendations of this task force will help Fermilab have appropriate public participation mechanisms in place and know when to use them. Public participation will give Fermilab a better change to achiece a productive and exciting future that benefits the community and the world high-enefgy physics.

Who will be Involved in the Task Force?
A group of 21 community members serve on the task force. The laboratory assembled a group that represents the diverse interests of people who live and work in DuPage, Kane, and DeKalb counties. Members include residents from neighborhoods adjoining the laboratory, community activists, business leaders, educators, elected officials, and Fermilab employees.

The task force is coordinated by Fermilab Public Affairs. An independent consultant with extensive experience managing advisory groups has been hired to provide facilitation support for the task force.

What happens at task force meetings?
Monthly task force meetings are energetic and interactive. Task force memebers share viewpoints, brainstorm ideas, and seek consensus recommendations. Fermilab employees and other expers fulfill requests for information about the lab and the community. The independend facilitator ensures tha tall view points can be expressed and helps the group make final decisions.

Are meetings open to the public?
Yes. The public is welcome to attend all task force meetings and has opportunities to comment on the issues being discussed by the group. In addition, a website has been established for the task force (www.fermilabcommunity.org), at which the public can learn about upcoming meetings and read summaries of past meetings.