Purpose and mission

The Advisory Board provides advice to MFC with the respect to the construction and operation of Three Ring Binder, including:

• The choice of appropriate anchor institutions to which the project should connect in order to meet federal grant obligations and promote the broadband goals of the State;
• How to maximize the economic benefits of the project to the State;
• Ensure the project is constructed in a manner consistent with federal grant obligations and public purposes.

Board Composition

The Advisory Board will be established with 9 members, comprised as follows:

• State of Maine CIO or designee;
• Executive Director of the ConnectME Authority or designee;
• Legislative Member Broadband Strategy Council designee;
• Representative appointed by Maine Municipal Association;
• A consumer representative appointed by the Public Advocate;
• Representative of the University of Maine System;
• CLEC rep, appointed by MFC;
• ILEC rep, appointed by Telephone Association of Maine;
• Large institutional member appointed by the Maine Telecommunications User Group (MTUG)

Term

The Advisory Board will last for at least one year beyond the term of construction, and could extend longer if the Advisory Board and MFC has additional goals for the Board after completion of the Three Ring Binder construction. There will not be terms for board members, but in the event of a vacancy within a particular Advisory Board position, the position will be filled by the entity responsible for appointing such position. The Advisory Board will meet in a convenient location, initially twice per month, and thereafter on a schedule determined by the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will select a Chair and Co-Chair for a six month term, and bi-annually thereafter.