AGU Board Research Articles

Special Election to Fill AGU Board Vacancy Begins 4 November

Two highly qualified candidates are on the ballot. AGU members should vote by 18 November.

Scientists’ Freedom to Work Entails Responsibilities to Society

The AGU Board of Directors approves a rights and responsibilities of scientists position statement.

AGU Board Vacancy Filled, Council Leaders Chosen

American Geophysical Union members elected Lisa Graumlich to the AGU Board of Directors. AGU's Council also selected its new leadership team, heeding diversity criteria.

Special Election to Fill AGU Board Vacancy Begins 16 February

Lisa Graumlich recommended to fill Board position by confirmation vote.

Four Position Statements Approved by AGU Board of Directors

The American Geophysical Union updated one position statement and reaffirmed three others as written.

AGU Board and Council Assess 2014 and Set the Stage for 2015

The Council and Board of Directors honored outgoing leaders and introduced newly elected leaders.

AGU Board and Council Close Out Productive Year

The AGU Board of Directors and Council both held meetings in San Francisco the weekend before Fall Meeting, wrapping up a very busy and productive year. The Board and Council have a joint work plan (see http://sites.agu.org/leadership/bod/), and meetings are planned to provide a flow of information between the two groups, as well as to staff and other parts of the Union, including committees and task forces, editors, and sections and focus groups. Outcomes from the meetings are posted on AGU's website: Board outcomes can be found at http://sites.agu.org/leadership/bod/board‐outcomes/ and Council outcomes at, http://sites.agu.org/leadership/science‐council/council‐outcomes/.

Proposed Bylaws Changes Open for Comment

AGU members are invited to comment on proposed changes to AGU's bylaws. The updates reflect changes required by Washington, D. C., law and changes enacted by the AGU Board of Directors and Council during the transition in 2010–2012 to a new governance structure. Members can view and comment on the proposed changes at http://sites.agu.org/leadership/agu‐bylaws‐comment‐period/. The comment period is open until 18 November.

AGU Ocean Research Position Statement Revised

During a series of meetings in June, following months of work by a panel of experts that included input from AGU membership, the AGU Council and Board Executive Committee adopted a revised ocean research position statement.

AGU Launches Web Site for New Scientific Integrity and Professional Ethics Policy

AGU's Scientific Integrity and Professional Ethics policy, approved by the AGU Board of Directors and Council in December 2012, is now available online on a new Web site, http://ethics.agu.org. As the Web site states, the policy embodies a “set of guidelines for scientific integrity and professional ethics for the actions of the members and the governance of the Union in its internal activities; in its public persona; and most importantly, in the research and peer review processes of its scientific publications, its communications and outreach, and its scientific meetings.”

AGU Board and Council Meetings

The AGU Board and Council held meetings in San Francisco the weekend before Fall Meeting. Both meetings kicked off with a “Then and Now” presentation by Mike McPhaden, outgoing president; Carol Finn, incoming president; and executive director/CEO Chris McEntee. The presentation highlighted AGU's accomplishments under its strategic plan and new governance model in the past 2.5 years. The AGU leaders’ written State of the Union reports can be found at http://www.agu.org/about/strategic_plan.shtml.

Final slate for AGU elections this fall

Your vote is important! This fall, AGU members will elect leaders for the next term (1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014). This issue of Eos provides details about the upcoming election and information on candidates for open AGU Board and Council positions as well as section and focus group secretary positions. All regular and student members who joined or renewed their membership by 1 July 2012 are eligible to vote in this year's election of AGU leaders. The election will be held electronically, and all members must have a valid e‐mail address on file at AGU to receive login credentials from the company conducting the election.

Williams to become new AGU director of science

Billy Williams, who will join AGU as its new director of science on 15 June, will work to raise AGU's profile and impact and shape AGU's scientific activities and the development of scientific careers for AGU student members. As director of science, Williams will facilitate working relationships and communication of scientific information and resources between and among the AGU Board and Council, committees, sections and focus groups, AGU members (including students), staff, and external partners. In addition, he will facilitate and coordinate the development and implementation of memorandums of understanding and other collaborations with various scientific societies, and he will provide leadership for AGU's efforts to develop resources designed to assist students in preparing for scientific careers. Williams also will serve as senior staff member to the AGU Council.

2011 AGU Workshop for Heads & Chairs

The AGU Board of Heads & Chairs of Departments of Earth and Space Sciences (H&C) held its annual workshop on Sunday, 4 December, at the 2011 Fall Meeting. The workshop included presentations on successful strategies for various aspects of the role of department head or chair, as well as time for small group discussions and networking among the group. There were nearly 60 participants, representing all stages of the chair life cycle, from seasoned veterans to those about to assume the role. Participants also represented a variety of institution types, both public and private, from 2‐year colleges to research universities.

Elections for AGU leadership positions: What you can expect in the months to come

It's hard to believe that it is again time to consider elections for AGU leadership positions. Just over 18 months ago, AGU launched a new governance model and strategic plan. Since then, the AGU Board of Directors, the AGU Council, and staff leaders have partnered with us, the members of the Governance Committee, to move AGU forward in the positive direction set by members. Much has been accomplished in a short time, and much is left to do to achieve AGU's envisioned future (see http://www.agu.org/about/mission.shtml). We need to elect the next set of leaders who can carry on the direction and vision set in motion by the Future Focus Task Force and the first group of Board and Council members tasked with guiding this new plan. This year, AGU members will elect leaders for the next term (2013–2014). Below is a synopsis of what we've been doing, along with a timeline for nominations and elections.

Working together for AGU and you

The AGU Board of Directors and Council continue to advance AGU's strategic plan and are working together to fulfill AGU's vision to “collaboratively advance and communicate science and its power to ensure a sustainable future.” Both met recently. The key outcomes from both meetings are described below and posted on the AGU Web site ( http://www.agu.org/about/governance/).

Congressional geohazards showcase presented by NSF and AGU

On Wednesday, 7 September 2011, two weeks after the magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Mineral, Va., and a week after Hurricane Irene struck the U.S. East Coast, AGU cosponsored a showcase of National Science Foundation (NSF)—funded hazards research in recognition of National Preparedness Month. This annual event highlights NSF—funded hazards research from all over the United States, with more than 30 exhibitors demonstrating the latest research and technology on hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and oil spills, as well as emergency and social responses to these events. The event took place at the Hart Senate Office Building, where many members of Congress and their staff could attend and discuss the importance of hazards research with the researchers and NSF staff. Sen. Bill Nelson (D‐Fla.) kicked off with a panel of speakers, which included remarks by Mary Voytek, a member of the AGU Board of Directors, and Subra Suresh, director of NSF. Expert presentations were also given on hazard prediction, human safety, and social response. Following the event, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D‐Nev.) hosted a small event to meet directly with a few of the exhibitors to discuss the importance of investment in scientific research and development.

AGU Board and Council Project Team Take Next Steps

AGU continues to actively implement its strategic plan. Both the AGU Board of Directors and the Council's Mission:Alignment Project (M:AP) team met during the last week of March at AGU headquarters in Washington, D. C. Significant progress was made at both meetings.

Becoming a Strategy‐Driven Organization

AGU is well on its way to implementing its new governance structure and strategic plan. Several significant steps were taken in San Francisco as key leadership events were held in conjunction with the 2010 Fall Meeting. The AGU Board of Directors and Council each held meetings, and an open forum was held for members to hear directly from leaders. We are moving forward!

Board Adds Two New Members With Expertise in Communication and Science Policy

AGU's Board of Directors approved two new members during a special teleconference on 8 November. The appointments are related to AGU's strategic plan goal of addressing science and society. Specifically, they add to AGU's expertise in science communication and policy outreach. Author Chris Mooney and policy advisor Floyd DesChamps join AGU's Board of Directors immediately and will serve the remainder of the 2010–2012 term.