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.image of committee working

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

This committee is charged with helping the Board and staff define the core scientific issues that should be priorities for the Society to increase its role in science and science-based policy development.  As part of that charge, the committee provides direction and assistance in developing the scientific and technical programs for the Society’s annual conference. In addition, the committee identifies and assists in developing new opportunities to expand the Society’s contribution to science and policy development. Such opportunities may include organizing specialty conferences or workshops, working with staff on proposal development, or recruiting scientists to work with the staff while on sabbatical leave or other temporary assignment. 

The committee meets monthly to address policy priorities. Any member of the Society is welcome to join the committee or attend meetings. For additional information or to join the committee, please contact the chair or one of the committee members.

Conservation Matters Webinars: The Science and Policy Committee hosts a monthly webinar to present topics of interest to the SWCS membership.

Student Leadership Opportunity: Every year the Science and Policy Committee selects a Student Representative. Check back in fall of 2023 for application instructions.

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.