Call for Executive Committee nominations (2024–2025)

Nominations are open for positions on the Executive Committee for Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). Nomination deadline is 10 November 2023.

The term for each role is 2 years, commencing on 1 January 2024.

This is an opportunity to lead the future of biodiversity informatics and work with an enthusiastic team to improve the quality and interoperability of biodiversity data.

Positions on the Executive are staggered two-year terms, such that no more than half of the committee will be new in any year. Towards the end of every calendar year, TDWG holds elections for terms that are expiring and need to be filled for the coming year. Officers elected this year will serve terms from 2024 through 2025. The open positions and their responsibilities are detailed below, followed by the schedule and procedures for nominations and the election.

TDWG is an international organization that promotes the digitization, integration, and sharing of information about the world’s biodiversity. TDWG provides a forum where individuals, projects, and institutions who manage biodiversity data can come together to share expertise and promote interoperability by promulgating standards and best practices. TDWG also publishes the Biodiversity Information Science and Standards (BISS) journal where papers on issues related to information technology and biodiversity science can be published. You would be a member of the TDWG Executive Committee, which oversees the work of TDWG: coordinates TDWG Interest and Task Groups, manages the review and ratification of standards, manages the organization’s journal, and organizes the annual meeting. These responsibilities are set forth in the Constitution and detailed further in supplementary documents.

Positions on the Executive are staggered two-year terms, such that no more than half of the committee will be new in any year. Towards the end of every calendar year, TDWG holds elections for terms that are expiring and need to be filled for the coming year. Officers elected this year will serve terms from 2023 through 2024. The open positions and their responsibilities are detailed below, followed by the schedule and procedures for nominations and the election.

General responsibilities

All officers, including Subcommittee Chairs, have voting rights on the Executive Committee, and are expected to participate in the committee’s conference calls, which are generally every two weeks. Executive Committee members are expected to find their own support to travel to attend the annual conference. Discounted registration to the conference may be offered.

Offices open for election

Treasurer

The Treasurer of TDWG holds the post for two years, which can be extended into consecutive terms. They manage the finances of TDWG, including grants, conference expenses and memberships. They work closely with the Administrator of the TDWG Secretariat as well as the other managing officers (Chair, Deputy Chair and Secretary). They write an annual financial statement, which is usually presented during a business meeting at the TDWG conference.

The Treasurer also has signing authority on TDWG bank accounts. As TDWG is incorporated in the USA, and the main bank account is with an American bank, the Treasurer would normally reside in the USA and hold a Social Security Number in the USA.

Chair of the Technical Advisory Group

The motivation, mission and responsibilities of the Technical Advisory Group are explained on the TAG page. The Chair provides leadership and guidance on TDWG technical architecture and advises the Executive and membership on matters relating to the principles, strategies and practices for maintaining the common technical framework for TDWG standards.

Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Fundraising and Partnerships

The motivation, mission and responsibilities of the Functional Subcommittee are explained on the Subcommittee’s page. The Chair provides leadership on scientific and other fundraising as well as participation in partnerships for TDWG.

Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Infrastructure

The purpose of the Infrastructure Functional Subcommittee is to maintain the software tools and resources required to support the operation of TDWG. The responsibilities and management of the Subcommittee are explained further on its web page.

Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Time and Place

The motivation, mission and responsibilities of the Functional Subcommittee are explained on the Subcommittee’s page. The Chair provides leadership to develop a rolling plan for TDWG Conferences and other meetings.

Regional Representatives: Latin America and Oceania

Regional Representatives give voice to the members, institutions, and projects in their region, and collectively provide a global perspective to the Executive Committee. As members of the Executive Committee, Regional Representatives have responsibility for the oversight of TDWG and the authority to approve/decline strategic initiatives, budgets, and all aspects of operations and activities. The Executive Committee also approves or declines the formation of Interest and Task Groups, as well as the ratification of standards and best practice specifications produced by Interest and Task Groups.

Nomination procedure

To nominate someone for one of the positions above, first confirm that the nominee is willing to accept the responsibilities of the office. Then work with the nominee to send a brief statement of the nominee’s background and vision (maximum 400 words) to the TDWG Secretary (secretary@tdwg.org). Self nominations are accepted. All nominations must be complete and received by 10 November 2023.

Election procedure

The TDWG secretariat will post nominees’ statements to the TDWG website and distribute ballots to all institutional and individual members in good standing. In the case of institutional members, we will notify the primary and secondary contacts, but only one ballot response will be accepted. If you are uncertain about your membership status, please inquire with the TDWG Treasurer (treasurer@tdwg.org). Institutional ballots will be weighted as five individual ballots.

Deadline

Nominations due by 10 November 2023 Ballots will be distributed by email shortly thereafter. The balloting period will be at least 30 days from the date of distribution. Exact date-times will be announced via TDWG announcements and posted here.