Certification of the Election Results for the TRS Executive Council

In October, we began the process of electing a new executive council for the Tree-Ring Society. Nominations were solicited from the membership during the months of October and November. The nominees for each position provided brief statements that were sent to all active members of TRS and ballots were collected via electronic voting software through December 8, 2020. The results of the election for each position is as follows: 

Position	Elected Council Member	Nominees and Write-In Votes
President	Jodi Axelson (98%)	Yu Liu (1%)	Valerie Trouet (1%)
Vice President	Yu Liu (100%)
Treasurer	Adam Csank (51%)	Elaine Kennedy Sutherland (49%)
Secretary	David Rasch (100%)
Editor	Steve Leavitt (100%)
Communications	Iain Robertson (64%)	Ze’ev Gedalof (36%)
Student Representative	Kate Kitchens (100%)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion	Kelsey Copes-Gerbitz (100%)

In addition to the elected positions, the membership was asked to vote on the addition of an executive council member that would focus on promoting diversity, equality and inclusion. The membership voted in favor (93%) of adding the new position. The new council members will begin their three year term on January 1, 2021. The current executive council would like to extend their thanks to all that voted and to the candidates for their willingness to support TRS. Our best wishes to the new council members as they help guide the future of the TRS!

Elections for the Tree-Ring Society Executive Committee

The TRS holds elections for positions on the Executive Committee every three years for a suite of positions, all of which have a three year term. TRS members in good standing (i.e., membership dues up-to-date) at all career stages are encouraged to nominate themselves or be nominated. If you are nominating someone for an executive committee role please have a conversation with them first to ensure they are willing to stand for election and serve the Society in that role. Please submit a short statement about the nominee (<150 words) and their interest in the position to: trslori@gmail.com

Nominations are open from October 9 - October 31st

Voting is held from November 1st - December 1st

The new executive committee (descriptions of positions below) will begin their three-year terms on January 1st 2021.

Executive Committee Position Descriptions

President: Shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of the Society and of the Executive Council. The President shall see that all undertakings authorized by the Executive Council are properly carried out. Acting on advice and consent of the Executive Council, the President shall appoint all necessary committees and define their duties. The President shall have the power to make appointments to fill vacancies in the Executive Council, subject to a vote of approval by a majority of the Council.

Vice-President: Will be the point of contact and coordinator of the topical sections. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the President's duties as outlined above.

Treasurer: Working with the President and the Editor, the Treasurer will a.) develop the Society’s annual budget and present it to the Council for approval; administer the finances of the Society, ensuring that the financial records are maintained as appropriate for non-profit organizations and according to budgetary regulations approved by the Executive Council; and be responsible for Society funds, spending them as authorized by the Executive Council, b.) ensure that the membership list is maintained; dues collected, and provide for the care and sale of surplus copies of publications, and c.) provide a financial report to the Council at least quarterly and provide an annual report of the Society’s financial condition, so it may be posted annually on the Society website.

Secretary: Shall record minutes of Executive Council meetings as well as record developed and passed via email; ensure that activities of the Council and membership are conducted according to Society policies; conduct (or delegate conduct of) Society elections; and develop a summary of Council activities and decisions to be posted at least annually on the Society website.

Communications: Working with the President and Council, the Communications member will promote and coordinate communications with the membership, other dendrochronological societies, professional organizations, and the public. Responsible for maintaining and disseminating information on the website, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools.

Editor: the Society publication, Tree-Ring Research, is the immediate responsibility of the Editor.

Student Representative: Shall be a Society student member and registered as a student at the time of elections. The Student Representative will have full voting rights on the Council and function as the point of contact for student interests and activities.

The TRS is strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our society and the field of dendrochronology. To affirm our dedication to these values, we are proposing the addition of this new position pending member vote.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): This newly created Executive Committee member position is intended to promote DEI values in the TRS, at sponsored events (e.g., conferences) and fieldweeks by ensuring that all members — especially those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion — are represented. It is the goal of the TRS that this position will help us build a more inclusive culture.