Hello All:
Who ever thought a mathematician would have me riveted. It’s true. One impressive speaker after the other took to the stage at the annual SACNAS conference in Anaheim, Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Some 3,500 people attended the event. Indian Country Today posted this story about the 2009 conference. I’ll post some additional thoughts on the conference based on some interviews. For example, I met Mathew Martinez, the newly hired SACNAS director for Native American Initiatives. I attended as part of my environmental graduate studies at the University of Montana. Meanwhile, the organization is seeking nominations for the board. How about some Native representation? If you are a leader in science, professional or student, share this information or submit an application. Read on:
SACNAS Board of Directors Elections
SACNAS’ Board of Directors and staff invite and encourage interested individuals to nominate themselves or other eligible individuals to run for a position on the SACNAS Board of Directors.2009 Election results can be found on the Elections Candidates page and the Board of Directors page.
Current Available Positions
- General Board Member: 4 positions open. Term of service is three years.
- Student Board Member: 1 position open. Term of service is two years.
Nominations Materials Deadline: October 19, 2010
To submit nominations materials or nominate someone login to your MySACNAS profile. You must be a current SACNAS member to gain access to the nominations submission link. After nominations are reviewed and the final slate is prepared, candidate nomination materials will be posted on the SACNAS website so that SACNAS members may determine which candidate(s) will best represent them as a member of the board.
Nominees will need to submit the following materials by the nominations deadline:
- Statement of Candidacy: 250-word narrative (may describe the candidate’s reasons for running for board membership, what she/he envisions for the society during her/his tenure, how she/he will promote and advance the work of the society and the special qualities she/he will bring to the role, etc.)
- Short Curriculum Vitae: 6 page maximum
- Electronic photograph: Must be 300 dpi
- Provide answer to the following question (1 page max.) How have you participated with SACNAS in the last three years? Please email your answer to laura@sacnas.org as a Word document or PDF.
If you experience problems with the online nominations system, simply email all four required materials to laura@sacnas.org by 11:59 pm, October 19.
Serving on the SACNAS Board of DirectorsMembers elected to the board take office the January following the election. SACNAS board members serve as leaders in the continuing development of the society through participation in board meetings and on board committees. Board members further support the organization by establishing contacts with potential funders and promoting the society within their field, institution, and/or affiliate organizations.
Board members are required to attend all of the three board meetings per year—occurring in January/February, June/July, and at the annual conference in September/October. Board members do not receive financial compensation for their volunteer work on the board, however, expenses for participation in board meetings and the SACNAS National Conference are covered by the organization.
2010 Board Meeting Dates
Late January, Early February – Washington, D.C.
June – Location TBD
October 25-26 – San Jose, CaliforniaIn addition to participation in board meetings, members serve on a least one active board committee. Throughout the year committees communicate regularly regarding matters pertaining to their charge and report to the full board at meetings regarding their progress (e.g., National Conference Program Committee – develops themes, reviews session propo sals, collaborates with SACNAS staff in preparing the conference agenda).
Further information regarding the SACNAS Board of Directors roles of officers, responsibilities of board members, and rules and procedures of the society can be found online in the Bylaws. In addition, all candidates are encouraged to download and review the new SACNAS Strategic Plan, begun in mid-2008 and developed by the SACNAS Board of Directors over a period of several months. The strategic plan was introduced in the spring of 2009.
Nominations & Elections ProcessesEligibility
Candidates must either be (become so by the nominations deadline) current members of SACNAS. Individuals interested in running for a position as a student board member must be Student Members of SACNAS and be currently enrolled in a graduate program. Individuals interested in running for a position as a general board member or president elect must be Professional, New PhD/Postdoc, Precollege Teacher, Life, or Friend of the Society SACNAS Members. Students are not eligible to run for positions as general board members or president-elect.Election Process
Potential candidates’ nominations materials are reviewed by the SACNAS Nominations Committee to prepare the slate. All current SACNAS Professional, New PhD/Postdoc, Precollege Teacher, Life, and Friend of the Society Members are eligible to vote for general board members and the President Elect. Current SACNAS Student Members are eligible to vote for the student board members. Elections results will be published on the SACNAS website and SACNAS e-nouncements; new board members will be introduced in the spring edition of the SACNAS News.Elections Timeline
Nomination Application via MySACNAS Deadline Oct. 19, 2010 Slate of candidates reviewed & selected by Nominations Committee Nov. 2, 2010 Voting by SACNAS membership Nov. 2-Dec. 14, 2010 Membership notification of election results Jan. 5, 2011 New board members begin terms Jan. 5, 2011 SACNAS strives for a diverse board membership; individuals with a background in the physical sciences, mathematics, geosciences, engineering, computer sciences, K-12 education, or law are particularly encouraged to apply. SACNAS is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation.
