Roles and Responsibilities of the President, Vice President/President-Elect and Past President

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, the Executive Committee leaders also serve LSA in the ways outlined below.

President

• Serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee and facilitates all meetings of the Executive Committee, providing leadership and governance oversight
• In consultation with the Executive Director, sets the agenda for Executive Committee meetings and reviews the minutes
• Meets with the Executive Director weekly; meets with the LSA Officers monthly (president, vice-president/president-elect, and treasurer, with the past-president also attending); provides a brief email update to all Executive Committee members monthly. Meets regularly with the vice-president/president-elect to assure continuity of leadership.
• Communicates with the membership, as needed, including letters to and meetings with members/prospective donors to solicit funds for charitable purposes
• Serves on the CoCDA (Committee on Committee and Delegate Appointments) to identify candidates to lead and serve as members of committees
• Serves on the Finance Committee
• Presides at the Opening Ceremony and Business Meeting held at the LSA Annual Meeting
• Delivers the Presidential address at the LSA Annual Meeting, which is later published as an article in Language

Relevant characteristics of the LSA President include contributions to the discipline, past administrative and board experience, evidence of commitment to the LSA based on past service to the Society, leadership skills and capacity to contribute to LSA’s mission and strategic direction, and a record of effective and active committee service, including LSA Special Interest Groups, among others.

Vice President/President-Elect

• Serves a three-year term on the LSA Executive Committee 
• Participates in meetings of the LSA Officers
• Chairs ad hoc committees as appropriate
• Serves on the Finance Committee

Immediate Past President​

• Serves on the LSA Executive Committee 
• Serves on the Nominating Committee
• Participates in meetings of the LSA Officers
• ​Supports the President as needed
• Serves on the Finance Committee

Past Past President (serving two years after their presidential year)

• Serves as the Chair of the LSA Awards Committee 
• Presides the Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Meeting