I WANT YOU!!!!
WE NEED YOU!!!!
It is the great responsibility – but also the great pleasure – of the Past President to chair the Nominating Committee. The Society for In Vitro Biology is made up of its members. We have formal boards and committees that we fill with the great people of the SIVB and occasionally with somewhat OK people like myself! We have two year election cycles with some exceptions that will be noted. Further, not all volunteer positions are elected as the President appoints certain positions and certain committees are always receptive to volunteer participation.
As chair of the Nominating Committee, I am tasked with submitting a slate of candidates to the Board of Directors for Elected Positions. In general, we would like to have multiple candidates for each position and ideally from both IVACS and PBS. In certain cases, the candidates must be from one of the sections or the other – as I will detail.
This year we have several openings for the Board of Directors for the SIVB. This board is made up of both IVACS and PBS members though the proportion is not dictated. The Presidency is one of the positions where the section is considered as it alternates between IVACS and PBS. Further, the president is elected not only for 2 years but for 6 as this arrangement assures greater continuity of the board. The president elect this year will need to come from IVACS as our current president elect – Piero – is from PBS and our current president – Addy – is from IVACS. The President Elect position will be cycled to IVACS for this next election cycle. The president elect learns what is required to be president during their 2 years and also chairs the Long Range Planning Committee. The president elect is also a member of the executive board. I need you!!! I not only take recommendations from IVACS members and others, but I am also looking for those interested in being considered. Only requirement is that you are a member of the SIVB and are in IVACS.
This next election cycle we also have Board of Director openings for the Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President – who are also members of the executive committee. We also have Board openings for the Head of the Education Committee, the Awards Committee, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, the Publications Committee, and the Public Policy Committee. These are all two-year positions, however, there are two other elected board members that are elected for 4 year positions and are specific for section. These are the Member At Large positions with both PBS and IVACS having one member each rotating through this election cycle. The Board includes the program chair, but that person is appointed by the president and is on the Board only for the current year. This appointed position also rotates between PBS and IVACS. The president also appoints various other committee heads with Development Committee head defaulting to the Vice President and the Finance Committee head defaulting to the Treasurer.
In addition to the Board positions, each section has the following positions: Chair of IVACS/PBS; Secretary IVACS/PBS; and Co-Chair. For Co-Chair, IVACS has a meeting co-chair and a membership co-chair. PBS also has meeting chairs, however, they are appointed within PBS and only the Co-Chair for PBS as a whole is elected. Further, each year, the students elect one representative from each section to serve within the Education Committee. This election is done at the annual meeting. These students do also meet with the Board as part of the Education Committee and often as part of the Meeting Committee reporting.
As mentioned, there are also appointed committee heads that the President makes and/or re-affirms. The President also may form ad hoc committees as they see the need. These committees last during the Presidents two-year term but may be re-affirmed by the next president if desired.
Now, for the I WANT YOU PART!!!! I have a list of potential candidates for some, but not all openings. I have consulted with the board of directors and also with the IVACS and PBS chairs as part of the Nomination Committee. However, we don’t necessarily know everyone. Nor do we know everyone’s desire to contribute in a greater way to the SIVB. SPEAK UP!!!! Please send me a note at [email protected] or [email protected] if you are interested in being considered for one or more positions. If you are not sure, I am happy to set up a call to discuss. Secondly, if your name has already been mentioned, I will be starting to reach out. JUST SAY YES!!!! when you hear from me.
What’s is next? Once I present the list to the board, we go through the process of going through gathering information. We will be asking for a picture and a platform. These are easy!
Lastly, I should say WHY. I personally never thought to be on the Board. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure about involvement when I first raised my voice to say I would be a junior co-convenor for a session. Since then, though, the experience of being involved within the SIVB has taught me more than I can imagine. It has contributed to my personal growth, professional growth, and social growth. I have gotten to know, appreciate and admire the talent within SIVB so much more than I would ever have experienced as “just” a member. And, for those who wonder, yes, I do have it on my CV and my LinkedIn profile! Last but not least, being active on the Board allowed me to become well acquainted with one of the people I have most admired – Marietta. While no one will be able to take her place, Marietta – a person with great wisdom, knowledge and energy – represents the type of persons that make up the board. They have taught me more of value than I think I have given them in value of service. I cycle off but stay involved. I am making a space – and more than one space – FOR YOU!!!
Submitted by Allan Wenck
SIVB Past President
