ACS BIOT Executive Committee Role Descriptions
Chair-Elect
The Chair-Elect is a BIOT Division Officer and member of the BIOT Executive Committee.
Term: 1-year term as Chair-Elect, 3-year total commitment
Key Responsibilities: The Chair-Elect spends their first year learning the role from the current Chair and Past Chair. In the second year of the role, the Chair-Elect becomes the Division Chair, and has responsibility to lead the Division Executive Committee as well as mentor the incoming Chair-Elect, with the support of the Past Chair. In the third year of the role, the Chair becomes the Past Chair and acts to support the current Chair and incoming Chair-Elect.
- Role of Chair-Elect: Assist current Chair with direction and management of the Division. In the absence of the Chair, the duties of the office fall to the Chair-Elect.
- Role of Current Chair: Conduct governance of the BIOT division towards fulfillment of the stated mission and vision. Prepare for and preside over the monthly meetings of BIOT ExComm. Carry into effect decisions and recommendations of BIOT ExComm. Appoint all committee chairs, committee members, and functional area coordinators, with the approval of ExComm. Ensure ACS and BIOT by-laws are carried out and followed. File an annual report of activities with the ACS.
- Role of the Past Chair: Serve in an advisory role to the Chair. Ensure smooth transitions between immediate Past-Chair, current Chair, and Chair-Elect.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours per week during year as Chair. Time can vary from 1-4 hours per week as Chair-Elect and Past Chair depending on level of engagement and additional projects assumed.
Councilor
A Councilor is a BIOT Division Officer and member of the BIOT Executive Committee. A Division Councilor is also a voting member of the Council of the ACS, one of two deliberative bodies that govern the ACS.
Term: 3 years
Key Responsibilities: A Councilor speaks for the members of their Local Section or Division at the national level. They help to set national policies for ACS that directly or indirectly affect their constituency. At the same time, they integrate the views of their constituency with an open and objective evaluation of the broader needs of the ACS on the national level. Thus, they are a voice of the national ACS that must speak to their constituency about the greater needs of the ACS as a whole. They serve as a vital bridge between national policy and local section or division concerns. Information should flow both ways.
A Councilor must attend Council meetings. The Council meets twice annually, towards the end of each ACS Spring and Fall Meeting. At these meetings, the Council conducts the business before it and reports its activities on behalf of ACS members, Local Sections and Divisions, Society Committees, and the ACS
Board of Directors. Council responsibilities include nominating members for the office of the ACS President-Elect; voting on amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws, Standing Rules, and various committee actions; nominating, through electoral voting, members of the office of District Directors; studying, recommending, and acting on all activities of direct and indirect interest to the members of the ACS, including the setting of ACS annual dues (via the Schedule of Membership); and advising and influencing the ACS Board of directors.
A new Councilor will use their first year to become familiar with ACS governance. Councilors are strongly encouraged to become involved in one or more ACS committees because committees are driving forces of the ACS. They significantly influence the goals and actions of the Society; they are where most initiatives for Council consideration originate and are developed.
Time Commitment: Approximately 50 hours per year distributed across different meetings, projects, and committees.
Alternate Councilor
An Alternate Councilor is a BIOT Division Officer and member of the BIOT Executive Committee. A Division Alternate Councilor also has the responsibility of standing in for a Councilor as a voting member of the Council of the ACS, one of two deliberative bodies that govern the ACS, in the event the Councilor is not available and officially appoints the Alternate Councilor as a replacement. Alternate Councilors are also encouraged to become involved in ACS committees.
Term: 3 years
Key Responsibilities: Same as Councilor except that Council meeting attendance and voting rights are only in force when officially appointed as a replacement for an unavailable Councilor.
Time Commitment: Approximately 50 hours per year distributed across different meetings, projects, and committees.