- Nominations are now open for many LSA Awards and for 2013 LSA Fellows.
- Read the Call for Abstracts for the 2013 Annual Meeting (Boston, January 3-6).
- View the Call for Workshop Proposals for the 2013 Linguistic Institute.
Call for Nominations: LSA Secretary-Treasurer (2013-2018)
The LSA is seeking candidates for election as Secretary-Treasurer of the Society, for a five-year term beginning in January 2013. All LSA members are invited to submit nominations, including self-nominations.
The Secretary-Treasurer is one of the three officers of the LSA, along with the President and the Vice President/President-elect. The Secretary-Treasurer is the officer most directly concerned with managing the business affairs of the Society. The LSA Bylaws specify the duties of the Secretary-Treasurer as follows:
“The responsibilities of the Secretary-Treasurer include managing the Society's assets, identifying ways to enhance revenues and reduce expenses, budgeting revenues and expenses, establishing and maintaining sound business practices and internal controls, and authorizing and reviewing expenses. In addition, the Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for recommending to the Executive Committee policies and procedures regarding membership and membership services, investments, and multi-year budgeting. The Secretary-Treasurer shall present an annual report to the Society, which shall be published by the Society.”
The Secretary-Treasurer is the primary liaison between the Executive Committee and the staff in the LSA Secretariat, and works closely with the staff in the day-to-day management of the Society.
Candidates should be comfortable and adept at reviewing budget documents and reports from investment brokerages. (It is possible to appoint a financial advisor for assistance in this area.) A general familiarity with LSA activities and governance procedures is an asset. The Secretary-Treasurer plays a key role in strategic planning, and in implementation of initiatives. In addition, particular challenges that are likely to face the next Secretary-Treasurer include enhancement of the LSA website and increasing involvement in electronic publication, and some expertise or at least strong interest in those areas will be valuable.
The Secretary-Treasurer is ex officio Chair of the Finance Committee, the Committee on Committees and Delegate Appointments, the Advisory to Programs Committee, and the Committee for the Executive Director’s Performance Review. The Secretary-Treasurer is also an ex officio member of the Fundraising Committee and COMSIT (Committee on Member Services and Information Technology). Through these committees, the Secretary-Treasurer plays a critical role in providing leadership for the LSA. The Secretary-Treasurer attends the two annual meetings of the Executive Committee, in January (at the beginning of the Annual Meeting) and the other in April-May.
The Secretary-Treasurer position is a somewhat demanding one, requiring 10-15 hours per week on average, with considerable fluctuation. At the same time, it is a highly rewarding opportunity to interact with many members of the LSA, and to serve the Society and the profession. There is an honorarium associated with the position.
The Executive Committee will select a single nominee to appear on the ballot for election in the fall of 2012. Please direct nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest to Alyson Reed, Executive Director, by e-mail to areed@lsadc.org. Nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. Screening of nominations will begin on October 15; members are encouraged to submit nominations by October 15, 2011. Self-nominations are particularly encouraged. Nominations of others should be accompanied by an indication of the nominee’s willingness to serve if elected. With a nomination, please include an outline of the nominee’s qualifications for the job.
