I agree, I think most of us would want Klimas and Jason to stay on for life.
But we have to work with
the charter as is, or get a motion put up to change the charter.
There are 11 committee members. "Of the 11 members, 7 shall be biomedical research scientists with demonstrated expertise in biomedical research applicable to chronic fatigue syndrome; 4 shall be individuals with expertise in health care delivery, private health care services or insurers, or voluntary organizations concerned with the problems of individuals with CFS."
And right now they
have it set up so that 5 people are retiring in April 2011, and 6 in 2014. I thought that boards are usually set up so that turnover happens annually to preserve continuity.
Perhaps at thsi meeting it could be moved that the terms of the new people, as a one-time thing (well, actually 2), are 2 at one year, 1 at two years, 1 at 3 years, and 1 at four years. And in 2014, a similar motion could be passed so that the end result is that every year 2-3 people's 4-year terms end.
In terms of keeping Klimas and Jason on for the next while, the charter reads, "A member may serve no more than 180 days after the expiration of the members term if a successor has not taken office. A member who has served on this Committee cannot be considered for reappointment to the Committee for a period of one year after the expiration date of the members term of office, including any extensions. "
The only options I can think of right now are:
1. To pass a motion allowing members to apply for a second consecutive term.
2. Not appoint 2 of the 5 people immediately, and have Klimas and Jason stay on for an additional 180 days. But, that's only 1/2 a year.
3. If the motion is passed to change the terms of office for April 2011 and again fro 2014 to 1 - 4 year terms as described above, then Jason and Klimas could be nominated again to run in one year - April 2012.
In any case, I think that if anyone knows Dr Klimas and DR Jason it might be a good idea for one person (we don't want to overwhelm them with our enthusiasm - :Retro redface

to contact them and ask what they would recommend. And ask how we can be useful perhaps.
I wonder if Marly Silverman would be interested in joining the committee.