POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The President and Vice-President:

According to AHFVS bylaws, the Vice President is elected to a three-year term. During the first year, the person serves as Vice President (beginning at the annual meeting in June, 2006.) In the second year of the term, the Vice-President becomes President, and will preside over the 2007 meeting and society business. In the final year, the President becomes Past President for one year, making for a three-year term of service in all.

The Vice President and Executive Secretary are members of the AFHVS Executive Committee, and are responsible to assist the President and to step in should a president be unable to fulfill the duties of the office. The President, Vice President and Past President are ex officio members of the Council. The President convenes the Council through e-mail, conference calls and each year at the annual meeting, constructing the agenda and presiding over society business. The President maintains links to subcommittees, such as the nominating committee and the program committee. The President delivers the Presidential Address at the meeting that ends the term of office as President.

The Council:

Members of the Council meet electronically, through conference calls and at annual meetings to discuss and decide matters of society policy, and to propose changes in the bylaws, which must be voted on by society membership. Members of the Council are also requested to advise the president and the journal editor on matters relating to society programs. Council members serve a term of three years. Council members are also expected to serve a term of appointment to the various Society standing committees. These committees and their responsibilities are as follows:

Site selection committee.

Duties: to recommend for Council approval the sites of upcoming annual meetings at least two years in advance. In developing its recommendations, the committee with work with the relevant ASFS or joint ASFS/AFHVS site selection committee. The committee will keep the Executive Committee regularly updated on its work. It is understood that AFHVS and ASFS will alternate in making initial suggestions for sites, subject to approval of the other society.

Membership committee.

Duties: to promote a membership of optimum size and diversity to have AFHVS function well as an interdisciplinary professional society; to assist the Executive Secretary in an effective program of membership renewal; to consider general issues affecting members in either a positive or negative manner (e.g., awards that might be offered by the Society; academic freedom issues; how to utilize the talents of unsuccessful candidates to the Council; etc).

Outreach committee.

Duties: to promote the interests of AFHVS through effective outreach, networking, and liaison with other professional societies and groups that share AFHVS goals.

Program committee.

Duties: to ensure that AFHVS interests, members, and panels are effectively included in the annual meetings through regular liaison with the local AFHVS/ASFS organizing committee; to promote attendance of AFHVS members and others at the annual meeting; to regularly keep the Executive Committee updated on its work and any important questions or issues.

Strategic planning.

Duties: to recommend to the Council procedures: 1) to help AFHVS review and/or clarify its short- and long-term goals; 2) to undertake periodic strategic planning to pursue these goals; and 3) to monitor progress towards achieving these goals.

Publicity and information.

Duties: to promote the purposes of AFHVS through an effective publications and information sharing program;

Generally each Council member shall serve on two committees. Normally, each incoming member will be assigned two committee memberships at the time of assumption of office, and will continue to serve on these two committees during the three years of service on the Council.

Having a vibrant Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society depends on getting the right mix of new faces and old hands. If you know someone who you think would be a good leader and would like to contribute to the society, send your nominations. The deadline for receiving nominations is September 30, 2005