About the Committee
The International Affairs Committee aims to link BSA with other national botanical societies outside the U.S. and connect BSA members to international botanical events, including the International Botanical Congress (IBC) which is held every six years. The committee seeks to support young botanists attending the IBC, as well as other important international meetings. The committee informs the society regarding international activities impacting the study of plants through articles in the Plant Science Bulletin, symposiums and colloquium at the annual Botanical meetings, and other activities. Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. This committee is chaired by a member serving their third year on the committee.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee

Chaired by the President-Elect, the Committee on Committees is responsible for populating all BSA committees with members. The committee will review applications for openings on the committees and will solicit members for service on committees if necessary. This committee consults with the Committee chairs, the President-Elect, and any BSA staff member committee liaisons on their choices for committee openings. Recommendations for appointment decisions are ultimately made by the Committee on Committees to the BSA Board and require Board approval.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
Chaired by the Director-at-Large for Development, this committee works with the BSA Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and enhance resources for the Society to support its programs. It serves as the liaison between the between the Society and the Legacy Society Members. The committee also provides insights and recommendations on policy, potential foundations, businesses and society members for fundraising potential to the Director-at-Large for Development.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
Chaired by the Director at Large for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the DEI Committee usually meets at least two times per year (plus ad hoc meetings), to discuss policies and plan activities that address the needs of diverse groups within BSA with the goal of building a more diverse and welcoming society. Committee members are expected to attend DEI meetings (in person or virtually). Committee members may volunteer additional time to develop further some of these activities. BSA programs and events initially conceived and launched by the DEI committee include PLANTS (Preparing Leaders and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists), workshops for development of professional skills (e.g., applying to grad school), helping to choose the Enhancing Scientist Diversity speakers, and special symposia on diversity and inclusion. The committee values the input of members at all stages of their careers.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee

This committee oversees student activities throughout the society by working with the Student Representatives on the Executive Board. Areas of concern for the committee are professional development and mentorship for early career researchers including undergraduates, graduates, postdoctoral fellows, and new faculty. The efforts of this committee should include, but are not limited to, implementing mentorship programs within BSA in regard to peer review and grant writing, creating general training opportunities for early career members, and maintaining early career membership. This committee will collaborate with the Student Representatives on student activities, including CV reviews and Careers in Botany Luncheon, at the annual meeting and throughout the year. Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. 

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
Chaired by the Director-at-large for Education, the Education Committee focuses on all matters relating to teaching, training, and professional education in the plant sciences, including informal, K-12, undergraduate, and graduate biology education. A highly successful BSA program to have come from the work of this committee is PlantingScience. Other recent initiatives have been to enhance educational outreach resources on the BSA website and co-sponsorship of the Life Discovery: Doing Science education conference.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
Chaired by the BSA Immediate Past President, the Election Committee oversees the BSA election for the BSA Board positions during the first four months of each year. The Committee sends out a call for nominations to the BSA membership. The Executive Director, who is part of BSA staff, provides all nominations to the Committee Chair of the Elections committee, and on occasion the Chair may reach out to obtain additional nominations. The Election Committee follows the BSA Bylaws to prepare a slate of candidates for the election which is presented to the BSA Board for approval prior to holding the election.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
This committee works with the Treasurer to oversee society finances and reporting of finances to the society. The committee performs an advisory role for issues identified by the Treasurer and may provide advice to the Treasurer and the Board on the financial impact and value of various society activities. Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. This committee is chaired by a member serving their third year on the committee. The Chair of the Finance Advisory Committee also serves as a liaison to the Investment Committee.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
The Information Technology Committee meets one to two times per year and provides input regarding IT support needs of members, works with the IT staff to preview new programs or beta test new programs developed for member services (membership directory, awards portal, ect.), and offer suggestions to improve the society’s online presence. Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. This committee is chaired by a member serving their third year on the committee.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
The Investment Committee meets three to four times per year to oversee investments of the Society and to determine the long-term investment strategy for the Society. Committee members will also be involved in reviewing performance of the investment management company and periodically reviewing and adjusting the investment policy guidelines for Board approval. Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. This committee is chaired by a member serving their third year on the committee.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee

This committee addresses issues of public policy to effect change, educate and influence decision makers and provides input from the BSA perspective on public policy documents, strategic plan documents from federal agencies, and reports requesting input from plant biologists. The committee works closely with numerous societies including the American Society of Plant Taxonomy (ASPT) and American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. This committee is chaired by a member volunteering to serve as Chair.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

About the Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing applications for the Bill Dahl Graduate Student Research Awards and the Karling Award (which is the top graduate student research award). Committee members review and score applications in an online portal and discuss the top candidates with the goal of providing 20 or more awards of $1500 each. Each year, new members join the committee as the same number of members rotates off. This committee is chaired by a member serving their third year on the committee.

Committee Application Open Date: Nov 20, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Feb 15, 2025

The Botanical Society of America's Publications Team welcomes graduate students and postdocs who are interested in joining our Early Career Advisory Board (ECAB).

This group of early-career botanists engages with and advises the editors of the American Journal of Botany, Applications in Plant Sciences, and the Plant Science Bulletin in a number of ways, including recommending timely topics for review papers and special issues; sharing questions and advice on peer-review and manuscript preparation; and advising on broad issues of importance to early-career researchers and the publications team. Service on the advisory board can also be a stepping-stone to joining the editorial board as an Associate Editor.

Advisory Board members are featured on the Botanical Society of America website and receive free membership in the society, opportunities to participate in editorial board meetings, and will gain experience and insight into how the scientific publishing process works.

Committee Application Open Date: Oct 24, 2024

Committee Application Close Date: Dec 6, 2024