Botanical Society of America
Duties of the President
Important Documents –
Mission & Objectives,
Guidelines for Professional Ethics,
BSA Bylaws,
Sectional Bylaws
Duties of – President Elect,
President,
Past President,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Program Director,
Council Representative
and BSA Execcutive Director
Duties
Under Article V. of
the bylaws of the Botanical Society of America, the President,
as chief elected officer of The Society, exercises general oversight
of the management of The Society, and represents it as
the occasion arises. The President presides at the annual business
meeting, at meetings of the Council and of the Executive Committee
and at the annual banquet. The President performs such other duties
and has such other responsibilities as are prescribed in these
Bylaws and as may from time to time be assigned by the Executive
Committee, Council, and the membership.
Committee Assignments –
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ex-officio,
EDUCATION COMMITTEE ex officio,
MERIT AWARDS COMMITTEE ex officio
As President-Elect you took part in the activities of the Botanical
Society of America’s (BSA or the Society) Executive committee
and interacted with the President and the officers of the BSA
for the past year. By now you will have a good feel for the office
of President and how you might continue or modify BSA activities
during your term. At some point in your term, you should visit
major funding agencies for the Society, like NSF, USDA, etc.,
to keep the Society abreast of changes and initiatives at funding
agencies, and to keep them informed on the Society's goals and
interests.
Post-Conference
Lead the post-Conference Executive Committee meeting.
August-September
Write official letter to new committee members appointing them
to their positions.
Write President's letter to be included in the Fall Mailing.
Letter
details and an example.
Check with the Executive Director to ensure dues notices are
prepared and that the Fall Mailing is in proccess.
Make connections with the Canadian/Mexican Botanical Associations
for joint meetings three years in advance of any possible joint
meetings.
Begin to contact the Executive Committee to inquire about items
of business for the Society during your term of office. You will
need to organize the agendas for the Spring Executive Committee
meetings as well as the Executive Committee, Council, and Business
meetings and Annual Banquet for next summer.
October
Work with the "Plant Science Bulletin" Editor to see
that everything is running smoothly. Contact all of the committee
members. Write a letter to each Committee Chair that includes
a well-focused and specific charge. Send copies to each member
of the committee as well. Be specific and speak about issues and
action that you expect the committee to undertake.
November, December & January
Attend the meeting of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents
along with the President, Past President and the Executive Director.
This is used as a planning meeting as well as an opportunity to
meet with Washington based sister organizations (AIBS, ASPB...).
This may also be a good time to meet with funding agencies.
Keep people talking within the Society and work on basic issues
and initiatives. Work with the Executive Director, Secretary and
other officers. Begin to discuss plans for the Executive Committee
Meeting. Solicit items to be discussed at the meeting. Work with
the Executive Director to organize the logistics of the Spring
Executive Committee meeting.
February, March & April
Organize and hold the Executive Committee Meeting. Follow up
with action on the activities of the Executive Committee Meeting.
Write a letter to be included in the Spring Mailing.
Be sure everything is in place for the Conference and that the
Committees for the Society are active.
Attend Executive Committee meeting. Report on activities.
June
Work with the Secretary, Executive Director, and other officers
to organize the Executive Committee, Council, and Business meeting
agendas and the agenda and logistics for the "Annual Banquet
for All Botanists."
July
Iron out any details about the meetings.
Take stock of what has been accomplished the previous year and what direction the Society is
moving.
Write the "Report of the President".
Make sure the Banquet is organized and that you know the seating, the order of business at the
dinner, etc. (Secretary usually makes these arrangements).
Write a revision of the President's timeline and duties if necessary
and send to the BSA Executive Director for updating all relevant
resources.
Annual Meeting
Saturday night - Hold Executive Committee meeting
to plan next day's Council Meeting and deal with appropriate issues.
Sunday - Run the Council Meeting. Collect thoughts
after Council Meeting for the Business Meeting.
Tuesday - Run the Business Meeting.
Wednesday - Preside at the banquet (introduce
head table, announce awards, introduce the President-Elect, etc.)
Thursday - Attend post-Confernece Executive
Committee Meeting
Ongoing Duties
The President-Elect performs any duties assigned by the President. In addition, at the annual
meeting in the year before he/she assumes the presidency, the President-Elect delivers to the
membership assembled at the annual banquet a botanically-oriented address. If unusual
circumstances prevail, the President-Elect and the President in consultation with the Executive
Committee may arrange for an appropriate alternative event.
Represent the Society or find appropriate individuals to represent the society at various functions.
Promote Botany in the broadest context to benefit your colleagues and members of the BSA,
including visiting granting agencies such as, N.S.F., U.S.D.A., etc.
Continue contacting the Committee Chairs to see that they are initiating actions. Especially see
that the Membership committee is active and working with the Treasurer.
Contact individuals and other societies in the name of the BSA to promote cooperation and
botanical science.
Mail out new-member letters when lists come to you from the business office.
Work closely with the Business Manager to be sure the Society’s activities are coordinated and
running smoothly.
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