As a member of SWCS, there are several ways for you to play an active role in carrying out the Society’s mission.
One opportunity is volunteering to serve on a committee. Joining a committee is a great way to strengthen leadership skills, as well as to network with your peers. Learn more about the function of each committee below.
SWCS Board of Directors
Nominations Committee
Science and Policy Committee
International Committee
Chapter and Professional Development Committee
Awards Committee
Annual Conference Program Planning Committee
We invite members to join our committees. Please email memberservices@swcs.org for more information.
SWCS Board of Directors
SWCS has a governing body known as the Board of Directors, consisting of one director elected by SWCS members from each of SWCS’s regions in the United States (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast). Additionally, four At-Large Directors are appointed by the Board itself. The SWCS CEO serves ex-officio as a non-voting member.
Regional Directors represent the interests of all SWCS members, with specific responsibilities to the members and chapters within their respective regions as required by the Board. At-Large Directors assure that the Board represents public policy and natural resource knowledge, and maintains contact with federal, state, and provincial agencies; other societies; and environmental, agricultural, conservation, and other groups.
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee nominates candidates who meet the qualifications for Board membership. It also solicits recommendations from SWCS members and chapters for nominees.
Science and Policy Committee
The Science and Policy Committee serves as the planning and action committee to enhance the work of SWCS in the areas of science and policy. It identifies emerging scientific and policy conservation issues for possible SWCS programming and publications. It also assists SWCS staff in developing proposals for grants and other types of fundraising.
Each Science and Policy Committee meeting features a presentation from an expert on a topic of interest. In 2021, the committee has chosen "Climate Change" as their focus.
- On December 10, 2020, the committee heard a presentation on the USDA-ARS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network, a partnership among 18 premiere long-term research sites across the United States.
- On April 8, 2021, the committee heard a presentation from Vincent Gauthier, Environmental Defense Fund on financial mechanisms, policies, and resources for boosting climate resilience in U.S. agriculture
- On May 13, 2021, the committee heard a presentation from Joey Breaux, Asst. Commissioner Soil and Water Conservation Division of the Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry on Louisiana's Conservation Partnership
If you would like to present to the committee on this topic, or recommend a speaker, please contact swcs@swcs.org.
Student Leadership Opportunity: Every year the Science and Policy Committee selects a Student Representative. The 2021 Student Representative has been selected, but check back in for future opportunities.
International Committee
The International Committee is a self-directed group of members who work together to raise the visibility of international issues within programs and publications of SWCS as a whole. It has the dual objective of promoting the protection, enhancement, and wise use of soil, water, and related land resources beyond the borders of the United States and Canada, while also raising awareness within the United States-based membership of global issues.
Chapter and Professional Development Committee
The Chapter and Professional Development Committee is the principal body within SWCS charged with working with Regional Directors to provide training and resources that build the capacity of local chapters and develop the leadership skills of chapter officers that will enable them to become more effective in their leadership roles. It assists chapters by producing and distributing documents, tools, and/or presentations to deliver professional development opportunities at the chapter level. It also assists the Annual Conference Planning Committee in selection and review of workshop submissions for the annual conferences.
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee assists the SWCS Board of Directors in the selection of recipients for Society awards. It promotes SWCS awards and scholarships and encourages award nominations from chapters. It also reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Board for approval.
Annual Conference Program Planning Committee
The Annual Conference Program Planning Committee collaborates to build a strong, science-based technical program for Annual Conference. It decides on yearly theme and special areas of interest, which are used to create a Call for Presentations to solicit symposia, oral presentations, and poster presentations. It also reviews paper submissions and selects presentations for inclusion on the agenda.