SAF Board of Directors: Candidate Nomination Process

Vice President and District Director Board Seat Applications for 2024–2026 are closed. Applications for service for 2025-27 are due May 2024.

Join Our Board!

SAF is seeking strong and vibrant leaders to join the SAF Board and serve in the roles of SAF vice president and board members for Districts 3, 6, and 9, with service starting January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.

The SAF Board provides leadership and direction to the Society in achieving its mission, with a president, vice president, immediate past president, and 11 members (one from each voting district). A vice president is elected to a three-year term annually that leads to president in the second year and immediate past president in the third year. District board members are elected to three-year terms.

Serving on the SAF Board always brings surprises and rewards to the elected candidate as the roles offer robust and consequential experiences:

Satisfying opportunities to advance SAF and the forestry profession.

Engaging solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing the profession.

Sharing governance and leadership experience with other volunteer leaders.

Inspiring discussions to enhance your professional goals and development.

Rewarding exchanges with peer-groups.
How to apply:

Complete the Candidate Application by Friday, May 10, 2024.
To effectively complete the application and your commitment to the position, please review the following resources:
Additional commitments include:
- Attendance at the December 2024 Board Meeting:
  - Friday, December 6: Board Orientation from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. in-person in Washington, DC.
  - Friday afternoon through Saturday, the Board Meeting continues.
- Participation in the 5-6 2025 Board Calls and Meetings—typically scheduled for February/early March, April/May, July, October, and December.

Elections take place September 1-30.

District Board Member Rotation

Election in 2024. Term starts January 1, 2025 | Districts 3, 6, and 9
Election in 2025. Term starts January 1, 2026 | Districts 2, 5, 8, and11
Election in 2026. Term starts January 1, 2027 | Districts 1, 4, 7, and 10

SAF values and seeks diverse leadership as defined by race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, veteran status, geographic location, professional level, employer, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

For more information, contact Lori Rasor.

Meet the 2023 National Nominating Committee

Committee Members:

Nadine Block
Dr. Mariann Johnston, CF
John (Chris) Maisch, CF, SAF Immediate Past President and SAF Board liaison
Dr. Andrew Sanchez Meador
James (Tedrick) Ratcliff
Christa Rogers, Chair
Beverly (Bev) Yelczyn

Young Professional Board Member

Seeking Candidates for the Young Professional (YP) Board Seat

Nominations for the Young Professional board seat are due August 15 to SAF Board district directors. Decisions are made by mid-October with service beginning January 1 of the following year. The successful candidate should plan on attending the SAF Board meeting in December in a shadowing capacity. This position is a one-year, non-voting position appointed by the SAF president from a pool of candidates nominated by the SAF Board district directors.

The role of the YP is to provide a young professional voice based on your experiences and be a bridge between the membership and the SAF board. Additional information can be found here.

Eligibility

Under the age of 40 (at the time of board appointment)
An SAF member in good standing
A college graduate

How to Apply

Interested candidates will be asked to complete the forms below and send to their district board representative.

Consent Form
Biography Form (includes bio information, statement of interest, and photo request)

Questions

Contact your district board representative or Elizabeth Buhl.