The International Network for Seed-based Restoration is now accepting nominations for its upcoming Board election. The open positions are Chair-Elect, Treasurer, and two At Large Directors. The Nominations and Voting will be held by electronic form submission.
Key dates
Nomination period: 1 September – 14 October 2022
Voting period: 1 – 15 November 2022
Election results announced: 20 November 2022
Term start: 1 January 2023
The mission of the INSR:
The Section raises the profile for plant seed needs for ecosystem restoration efforts within SER. The section will help SER foster information and knowledge exchange on large-scale ecosystem restoration through SER’s various platforms and the following activities:
Operate as a Section within the Society for Ecological Restoration to foster understanding and advancement of seed ecology, conservation, and seed-based restoration of degraded systems.
Advance public education, global policy, and awareness concerning seed-based solutions for restoration and the global need for native plant seed conservation, and research.
Provide a forum for an interchange of ideas, approaches, case studies, and data developed relevant to planning, policy, and science as it relates to native seed biology, ecology, and seed-based restoration.
Support education, outreach, and research globally into seed-based solutions for restoration.
Foster international collaboration to develop standards for native plant seed testing and regulation.
Serve as an emergency expert panel equipped to address issues related to germplasm biodiversity conservation, native seed ecophysiology, seed farming, and seed-based restoration issues.
INSR Board Positions
The Board shall consist of the Section officers and a minimum of two At Large Directors. The Board may change the number of directors elected as necessary to accommodate any change in the membership of the Section by a majority vote.
All board members shall perform various and diverse activities as required by the Section in order to establish international collaborations and widen the networks of stakeholders; liaise with international experts and stakeholders to mediate knowledge exchange; represent the Section at regional, national and international meetings; contribute to the drafting of documents and reports; draft and commission popular articles; prepare and procure communication materials; organize symposia at regional, national and international meetings.
Specific duties of each office:
Chair. Shall be the principal officer of the Section and shall in general supervise and have charge of all affairs of the Section, pursuant to the direction and oversight of the Board. Presides at all meetings of the Board and shall serve as Chair of the Board. Performs all duties incident to the office of Chair and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time. In years for which INSR is provided a constituent representative position on the SER Board, the Chair shall run for election by INSR members to hold this constituent representative position. The Chair will accede to the role of the past chair upon expiration of a two (2) year term.
Chair-Elect. Assumes the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s absence and assumes other duties assigned by the Chair. Accedes to the position of Chair at the expiration of the Chair’s two (2) year term.
Treasurer. Handles financial matters of the Section, including oversight of fiscal health of the organization, assists with budgeting, and fundraising for Section operation.
Secretary. Records the minutes of all meetings of the Board and membership; maintain such minutes in one (1) or more books provided for such purpose. Sees that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws of the Section or as required; authenticate records of the Section; and in general, performs all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chair or the Board.
At Large Directors: Hold the same authority and similar responsibilities as other board members but may change their roles and duties if needed.
Vacant Positions
Each year, half of the Board positions are open for election. In the 2022 elections, those positions are:
Chair-Elect (Two-year term January 2023-December 2024)
Treasurer (Two-year term January 2023-December 2024)
At Large Director (Three-year term January 2023-December 2025)
INSR Board for 2023:
Chair Simone Pedrini
Chair-Elect Up for election
Secretary Alison Agneray
Treasurer Up for election
Director-at-Large #1 Stephanie Frischie
Director-at-Large #2 Hanumanth Coimbatore Ravindranath
Director-at-Large #3 Emma Ladouceur
Director-at-Large #4 Up for election
Director-at-Large #5 Up for election
Past Chair Nancy Shaw
Nomination Procedures
Submit a nomination by completing this Google form “INSR Board Nomination Form 2022.” This includes the contact information for a referrer and seconder. All nominations must be submitted by 14 October 2022. Nominations submitted after this time will not be eligible for consideration.
Nominees must be SER and INSR members in good standing with knowledge and substantial experience in seed-based restoration. The INSR Board will review each nominee’s credentials and verify their experience with the referrer and seconder to determine the candidates on the ballot.
The eligibility of candidates will be verified by the INSR Board. All nominees will be notified of their eligibility status prior to the start of the Voting period and eligible candidates will be included on the election ballot.
For more information or questions regarding the nomination process, please contact info@ser-insr.org
Election Procedures
Once candidate lists are finalized, a link for voting via Google Form will be sent to INSR members. The Director-at-Large roles are identical. Of the two Director-at-Large candidates with the most votes, one will be elected Director-at-Large #4 and the other will be elected Director-at-Large #5. Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the election and then the results will be announced to INSR members via email.