Authority

The Board holds authority over:

• institutional governance

• financial oversight

• long‑term strategic stewardship

• protection of ATIC’s independence

• appointment and renewal of governance bodies (except where reserved to the Founder during the formative phase)

The Board has no authority over:

• certification decisions

• evaluation outcomes

• interpretive rulings of the Standard

These remain independent.

Composition

The Board consists of 5–9 Trustees, including:

• Chair

• Vice Chair

• Trustees at Large

Founding Trustees may serve extended initial terms.

Appointment

During the formative phase:

• Trustees are appointed by the Founder.

After the formative phase:

• Trustees are appointed by the Board through a majority vote, subject to approval by the Founder.

Vacancies may be filled through a structured nomination process.

Term

• Standard term: 3 years

• Maximum: 2 consecutive standard terms (total of 6 years)

• Founding Trustees: 4‑year initial term that does not count toward the consecutive‑term limit

• Rotation requirement: After completing two consecutive standard terms, a Trustee must rotate off for one full term (3 years) before being eligible again

Responsibilities

The Board exercises its responsibilities subject to the Founder’s constitutional safeguarding authority.

The Board is responsible for:

• safeguarding ATIC’s independence

• approving institutional policies

• overseeing financial stewardship

• ensuring neutrality in all operations

• appointing members of governance bodies

• protecting the permanence of the Standard

• ensuring the Commission serves the public benefit

The Board does not:

• influence certification outcomes

• modify the Standard

• direct evaluators

Boundaries of Authority

The Board may not:

• intervene in evaluations

• represent commercial interests

• accept funding that compromises neutrality

• alter the Standard without following the Standards Development Roadmap

The Board may not alter the Founder’s constitutional authority, interpretive role, or safeguard powers.

Relationship to the Founder

During the formative phase:

• The Founder retains authority to appoint Trustees.

• The Founder may issue interpretive guidance.

• The Founder may override Board decisions that compromise neutrality or founder intent.

After the formative phase:

• The Board operates independently in its governance functions.

• The Founder retains permanent ceremonial authority, interpretive authority over the Standard, and constitutional safeguarding powers, including approval of Trustee appointments, approval of Charter amendments, and authority to intervene when neutrality or founder intent is threatened.

Amendments

This Charter may be amended only with:

1. a two‑thirds vote of the Board, and

2. approval by the Founder.

Removal Power

The Founder retains the exclusive authority to remove any Trustee at any time, with written justification. This authority may not be delegated.

Adopted 2026