Authority

The Public Benefit Oversight Council holds authority over:

• monitoring ATIC’s alignment with its public‑benefit mandate

• reviewing institutional practices for neutrality and fairness

• issuing public‑benefit advisories to the Board

• identifying risks to public trust or institutional legitimacy

• ensuring transparency in ATIC’s public‑facing commitments

The Council has no authority over:

• certification decisions

• evaluation outcomes

• interpretive rulings of the Standard

• internal governance appointments

• financial or operational management

These remain independent or under the authority of the Board and Founder.

Composition

The Council consists of 5–11 Members, including:

• Chair

• Vice Chair

• Members at Large

Members are selected for:

• public‑benefit expertise

• ethics and governance experience

• community representation

• independence from commercial interests

Founding Members hold founding status but serve the standard term length.

Appointment

During the formative phase:

• Members are appointed by the Founder.

After the formative phase:

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

Vacancies may be filled through a structured nomination and vetting process.

Terms

• Standard term: 3 years

• Maximum: 2 consecutive terms

• Founding Members: hold founding status but serve the standard 3‑year term

• Rotation requirement: After completing two consecutive terms, Members must rotate off for one full term before being eligible again

Founding status does not alter term length or term limits.

Responsibilities

The Public Benefit Oversight Council exercises its responsibilities subject to the Founder’s constitutional safeguarding authority.

The Council is responsible for:

• ensuring ATIC’s work serves the public benefit

• monitoring neutrality in public‑facing operations

• reviewing ATIC’s transparency practices

• identifying risks to public trust

• advising the Board on public‑benefit concerns

• safeguarding ATIC’s reputation as a sovereign standards institution

The Council does not:

• influence certification outcomes

• direct evaluators

• modify the Standard

• intervene in governance decisions

• represent commercial or political interests

Boundaries of Authority

The Council may not:

• intervene in evaluations

• influence certification decisions

• accept funding or benefits that compromise neutrality

• override the Board or Founder

• alter the Standard or governance structures

The Council operates in an advisory and oversight capacity only.

Relationship to the Board of Trustees

• The Council provides public‑benefit advisories to the Board.

• The Board must formally review and respond to Council advisories.

• The Council may request information necessary to fulfill its oversight role.

• The Council does not hold operational authority over the Board.

Relationship to the Founder

During the formative phase:

• The Founder appoints Members.

• The Founder may issue interpretive guidance to the Council.

• The Founder may override Council advisories that conflict with 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 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 of Trustees, and

2. approval by the Founder.

Removal Power

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

Adopted 2026