Would you consider standing for election to Council? Executive Secretary Edmund Nickless issues the annual call for nominations.
Are you willing to contribute to the work of the Society not only by becoming a member of Council and one of its standing committees but also by serving on working groups and undertaking particular tasks between meetings?
Whatever your background and expertise in the geosciences, membership of Council enables you to influence the role of the Society in acting as a respected voice serving society and the geoscience profession.
Each of the 23 members of Council is a trustee of the Society, accountable to the Fellows and to other stakeholders and regulators, such as the Charity Commission. Trustees’ prime responsibility is to oversee the Society’s affairs and act prudently in the management of its financial resources.
Council meets five times a year, usually on a Wednesday. Four take place in the afternoon (14.00-17.00). Papers are circulated a week in advance. There is also a two-day residential meeting (early February) beginning in the afternoon and finishing mid-afternoon, the next day. Its purpose is to allow Council to discuss issues such as strategy, business planning etc.
All Council members serve on a standing committee – External Relations, Information Management, Finance and Planning, Science, Professional or Publications Management (PMC). These usually meet quarterly; though recently the PMC has developed the practice of having one virtual and three actual meetings.
From time to time all standing committees may establish short-lived working groups which could impose a further call on the time of Council members but in agreeing to stand for Council you should think of a time commitment of 8 to 10 days annually for ordinary members of Council.
If elected to Council you will play an active role formulating and delivering the Society's scientific and professional strategy, facilitating the communication of new scientific findings, engaging with and translating knowledge and expert advice to society, policy makers and government, and in certifying good practice in the geoscience professions and teaching.
- This month’s mailing contains two nomination forms - one for the election of new Council members and the other for President-designate. Details of the process may be found on the forms and also in the ‘Governance’ section of the website. The closing date for nominations is 4 January 2013 and nominations will NOT be valid unless they are fully completed, signed and accompanied by a statement by the nominees.
- Please return to Professor Alan Lord, c/o Executive Secretary, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG.