SAF Board of Directors: Candidate Nomination Process

Applications for 2025-27 Board service are closed.
Candidates for VP and Districts 2, 5, 8, and 11 Board members will open soon for service starting in 2026.

Join Our Board!

Applications for 2025 SAF Vice President and board members for Districts 3, 6, and 9 are now closed. Elections will take place September 1-30, 2024.

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 2, 5, 8, and 11, for service starting January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. 

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:

    • Coming Soon: Complete a candidate packet by Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
    • To effectively complete the application and your commitment to the position, please review the following resources:
    • Additional commitments include:
      • Attendance at the December 2025 Board Meeting (December TBD):
        • Friday: Board Orientation from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. in-person in Washington, DC. 
        • Friday afternoon through Saturday, the Board Meeting continues.
      • Participation in approximately six 2026 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 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
    Election in 2027. Term starts January 1, 2028 | Districts 3, 6, and 9

    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 2024 National Nominating Committee

      Committee Members: 
    • Nadine Block
    • Sam Cook, SAF Immediate Past President and SAF Board liaison
    • Abby Jamison
    • Dr. Mariann Johnston, CF, Committee Chair
    • Tim Phelps
    • Dr. Andrew Sanchez Meador
    • 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 to SAF National by July 15. Decisions are made by early September 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 should complete and submit the forms below to Elizabeth Buhl, SAF's Director of Events & Sales, by July 15:    

    Questions

    Contact Elizabeth Buhl.