Call for Executive Committee nominations (2025–2026)

Nominations are open for positions on the Executive Committee for Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). Nomination deadline is 15 November 2024. See the list of current nominations.

The term for each role is 2 years, commencing on 1 January 2025.

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 usually 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 2025 through 2026. 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

Deputy Chair

The Chair of TDWG holds the post for four years, two as the Deputy Chair and two as the Chair. They preside at meetings of TDWG and at meetings of the Executive Committee. They are responsible for leading TDWG, they seek advice from the Executive Committee and conveners of Interest, Maintenance and Task Groups. They write an annual update to members on TDWG’s status, activities, priorities and vision for the year ahead.

Unless delegated to other Executive Committee members, the Chair represents TDWG at meetings, conferences and other meetings. The Chair also opens and closes presentations at the annual conference.

Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Executive Committee and for the daily business of Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). They organize meeting agendas and take minutes. They help to coordinate the review of standards and the organization of Interest and Task Groups. The Secretary acts as a proxy for the Chair during any significant period of unavailability, and serves as the channel of formal communication to the Executive Committee for all official business.

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 signature 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 Outreach and Communications

The Outreach and Communications subcommittee is responsible for outreach and communication of the TDWG vision and mission. The activities of the subcommittee can be found here. Most important among these are the development and distribution of communication material on TDWG standards, conferences, and current TDWG activities.

Regional Representatives: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America

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 15 November 2024.

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 15 November 2024 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.