The terms of reference of the committee are as follows.
THE ATAL STEERING COMMITTEE - TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The ATAL steering committee is convened with the primary purpose of arranging the location and organisation of the annual ATAL workshop. 1.2 The second purpose of the steering committee is to manage any profits that may be received by the workshops, ensuring that these profits are directed to the benefit of the ATAL workshop itself and the ATAL research community. 1.3 In expediting tasks (1.1) and (1.2), the steering committee will i/ ensure that the organisation of the ATAL workshops are consistent with the highest scientific standards; ii/ ensure that the workshop is effectively and efficiently organised and promoted; iii/ ensure that the workshop is arranged in such a way that participation is made as easy and open as possible for the ATAL research community; iv/ ensure that at all time, financial matters are handled in a legal, honest, and fair manner. 2. MEMBERSHIP 2.1 The initial membership of the steering committee, as of 12 May 1999, is Michael Wooldridge (chair), Joerg Mueller, Munindar Singh, and Nicholas Jennings. 2.2 The steering committee may choose to expand its membership at any time, with potential new members requiring a consensus agreement by the existing committee. 2.3 Members of the committee will serve for at least one year, and will continue to serve for as long as they wish. 2.4 Members of the committee may leave at any time, by notifying other members of their intention to leave. 3. MEETINGS 3.1 The steering committee will meet no less than once per annum, at the ATAL workshop. 3.2 At the annual meeting, the steering committee, together with the chairs of the current ATAL workshop, will be entitled to charge reasonable expenses to the expense of ATAL, in those years where ATAL is in profit. 3.3 Members of the steering committee missing two consecutive ATAL workshops will be asked to reconsider their membership status.