Roles and Responsibilities of the Executive Committee

Roles

Legally, LSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The LSA Executive Committee is the Board of Trustees for LSA and ensures that its activities serve its mission and provides oversight for the proper functioning of the corporation. The Executive Committee also works to ensure the financial sustainability of the LSA and each member is encouraged to make an annual charitable contribution to the Society at a level appropriate to their personal circumstances.

In addition to the responsibilities found in the Bylaws and Constitution, members of the Executive Committee serve LSA in the ways outlined below.

Responsibilities

Members of the Executive Committee (EC) serve a term of three years.

The Executive Committee has four regular meetings a year: three extended meetings (in-person in January immediately prior to the LSA Annual Meeting, and virtually in May and September), with a short (generally 1-hour) meeting in November. These meetings are scheduled two years in advance and attendance is mandatory. Additional meetings may be scheduled when needed. EC members receive some reimbursement for travel and accommodations at the Annual Meeting.

Like any non-profit board, the Executive Committee has the responsibility to: 

  • Create and then periodically review the mission statement
  • Select, support, and evaluate the executive director
  • Ensure effective planning and goal setting; assist in the implementation and monitoring of the plan’s goals
  • Monitor and strengthen programs and services
  • Ensure adequate financial resources
  • Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight
  • Build a competent board
  • Ensure legal and ethical integrity
  • Enhance the organization’s public standing

Issues that the Executive Committee is expected to face in the coming years include:

  • Positioning LSA as a "big tent" organization that is welcoming and relevant to linguists, whoever they are, whatever their area of specialization, where ever they work, and regardless of career stage.
  • Increasing membership value and member satisfaction.
  • Increasing member participation in the Society and attracting new members, including student members, international members, members working in industry and members from groups historically underrepresented in LSA.
  • Moving LSA toward financial stability to assure that it can continue to fulfill its mission to advance the scientific study of language into its next 100 years.
  • Exploring all viable options for our future annual meetings, so they are financially sustainable, accessible, and intellectually vibrant. 

Factors relevant to potential service on the Executive Committee include contributions to the discipline, past administrative experience, evidence of commitment to the LSA based on past service to the Society, leadership skills, and a record of effective and active committee service, among others.