Introduction

Close collaboration between the Management and the Senior Staff, whose competences and experience are essential elements in the continuous development of the Laboratory, is particularly important. To this end, the Senior Staff Consultative Committee, otherwise known as The Nine, was created in 1981 to serve as a channel of communication between the Senior Staff and the Director-General.

Mandate

The Nine makes available to the Director-General the ideas and experience of the Senior Staff and advises on questions concerning scientific activities, organisational matters and the use of resources. The Nine addresses selected topics and shares considerations and advice on these with the Director-General.

Membership

The Committee is made up of nine members elected by the Senior Staff for a period of three years. Elections for Committee members are held every year ensuring an annual rotation of members.

The composition of The Nine is representative of the full Senior Staff body drawn from all areas of the Organization. The spokesperson of The Nine is usually chosen amongst the representatives in the 3rd year of their term and holds this role for one year.

Processes

The Nine meets typically once a week and convenes as necessary for topical sessions with CERN experts. Members of The Nine seek input from the Senior Staff for topics to be investigated throughout the year and provide to the Senior Staff conclusions on the selected topics. The Nine relies on the Director- General to communicate to the Senior Staff the outcome of The Nine’s interactions whenever appropriate.

Advice of The Nine to the Director-General is formulated through a consensus finding process within the group. The Nine follows-up with the Director-General as necessary.

Discussions of and with The Nine are treated confidentially as are any documents prepared.

Some History: Original Memorandum (1981)