Would you consider standing for Council? The call for nominations to the trustees is now open, writes Executive Secretary Sarah Fray.
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 geoscience, membership of Council enables you to influence the role of the Society in acting as a respected voice serving society and the profession.
You will be able to play an active role in the formulation and delivery of the Society's scientific and professional strategy, and help to facilitate the communication of new scientific findings, engage with and translate knowledge and expert advice to society, policy makers and government, and to certify good practice in the geoscience professions and teaching.
Trustees
Each of Council’s 23 members is a trustee of the Society. Trustees are accountable to the Fellows and other stakeholders and regulators, such as the Charity Commission. The prime responsibility of trustees is to oversee the affairs of the Society and to act prudently in managing its financial resources.
Council meets five times a year, usually on a Wednesday. Four of those meetings take place in the afternoon beginning at 2.00pm and finishing at 5.00pm. Papers are circulated a week in advance. In addition there is a two-day residential meeting in late September beginning on the afternoon of the first day and finishing mid afternoon the following day. Its purpose is to allow Council to discuss issues such as strategy, business planning etc.
Standing committees
All members of Council also serve on a standing committee – External Relations, Finance & Planning, Professional, Publications & Information and Science. Standing committees usually meet in person quarterly, though some have developed the practice of having three in-person and one virtual meeting.
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 expect a time commitment of 8 to 10 days annually (for ordinary Council members).
Fellows have received a nomination form with this month’s Geoscientist. Details of the nomination process are on the form and also in the ‘Governance’ section of the website. Nominations must be received no later than noon, Friday 8 January 2016 and they will NOT be valid unless they are fully completed, signed and accompanied by a statement by nominees.
- Please return to Mrs Natalyn Ala, c/o Executive Secretary, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG.