NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES
The SAF Board of Directors established national advisory committees to help lead the organization.
The members of SAF's 11 National Committees are charged with representing SAF's diverse membership, which includes a wide range of employment experience, educational backgrounds, and locations of practice. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please fill out
this form. SAF members in good standing are eligible for committee appointments.
Certification Review Board
The Certification Review Board develops, establishes, and maintains standards and procedures for individuals to become certified and recertified under the Certified Forester program and the upcoming Urban and Community Forester program. Multiple opportunities are available for 2027.
Committee on Accreditation
The Committee on Accreditation evaluates and periodically reviews educational programs at colleges and universities across the country for SAF accreditation. Multiple opportunities are available including two for non-academic practitioners, with one being an urban practitioner.
Committee on Forest Policy
The Committee on Forest Policy advises SAF’s Board of Directors on forestry and natural resources policy. Multiple opportunities are available for 2027.
Committee on Forest Technology School Accreditation
The Committee on Forest Technology School Accreditation evaluates and periodically reviews forestry programs at technical schools throughout the US for SAF accreditation. Multiple opportunities are available for 2027.
Committee on National Convention Programs
The Committee on National Convention Programs develops the program outline for the annual SAF National Convention, including the Call for Presentations. At-large positions are available for 2028 committee, which begins work in 2027. Students may apply.
Committee on Professional Recognition
The Committee on Professional Recognition oversees the creation, evaluation, and issuance of national awards and the nomination submissions process. Two opportunities for a three-year term are available for 2027. Candidates representing the Northwest, Southeast, or Mid-Atlantic regions and/or industry, consulting forestry, or NGOs are preferred. Students may apply.
Educational Policy Review Committee
The Educational Policy Review Committee monitors all aspects of professional and technical forestry and natural resources education, including the SAF accreditation standards and procedures, and advises the Board of Directors on such matters. Multiple opportunities are available for 2027.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee is responsible for hearing and investigating charges against SAF’s Code of Ethics. No opportunities are open for 2027.
Forest Science and Technology Board
The FS&TB provides for the effective dissemination and use of forest sciences within the Society. Multiple opportunities are available for 2027.
National Nominating Committee
This committee oversees the call for nominations and supplements petitions with other nominations of persons eligible to hold elective offices. Multiple opportunities are available for 2027. For more information, contact Pamela Green.
Student Executive Committee
The SEC, composed of 11 student members, one from each SAF voting district, enhances the engagement of student members and organizes student activities during the national convention. The chair of the SEC also represents students during the House of Society Delegates meeting and as a non-voting member of the SAF Board of Directors. Positions roll over annually with term from June 1 through May 31. Interested in serving as your district’s student representative? Contact Samantha Shaw.
Other national-level volunteer opportunities:
Accreditation Visiting Teams: Visiting teams are not committees and thus do not have terms. Post-secondary natural resource educators with administrative experience and non-academic practitioner team members are selected for their interest, experience, training, and overall knowledge of assessment processes in professional settings. This is a limited time commitment. For information on what is involved, contact Accreditation.
Certification Exam Development: Opportunities for professional foresters is needed to support the exam development of our three certification programs including the Certified Forester, Urban and Community Forester, and the upcoming Forest Technician. Support is needed in updating processes including review and develop exam questions to ensure a content-valid exam. Additional subject matter experts are needed for other tasks such as the standard setting process, which informs the passing score of the exam, exam form reviews, exam blueprint updates and more. These commitments are for a limited duration. For additional information, contact Erin Turner.