Nominations are now open for key Royal Society of Chemistry posts

Key dates for the nomination process

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Vacant positions for nomination

Trustees

The Board of Trustees is chaired by the RSC President and plays a major role in shaping the direction of the organisation. Nine trustees are elected by the membership, with a number of positions becoming available each year. There are vacancies for three elected trustees to take office from the AGM in July 2023 for a four-year term.

Board members

Serving underneath the Board of Trustees, our four boards play a key role in establishing the direction of the RSC. There are currently two positions for which we are accepting nominations.

Member Communities Board member

This board helps to shape day-to-day life within the chemistry community by developing strategies to be passed down to communities, interest groups, and local sections among others. 
 
There are vacancies for two elected members of the Member Communities Board, one of whom must be active within the local section networks and one active within the interest groups (experience of serving on a network committee within the past five years).

The elected members will take office from the AGM in July 2023, for a three-year term, until the AGM in July 2026.

Professional Standards Board member

Establishing the standards to which we hold RSC members to account and driving best practice within the scientific community are among the key tasks involved with this position.

This post, which starts in July 2023 and lasts for three years, will also advise the Board of Trustees on strategic developments in professional and employment practice.

Subject community vacancies

Subject community councils have replaced RSC divisions and will look to provide leadership to specific sections of the chemistry world. These councils, which are made up of a president and other elected members, are crucial to developing and implementing activities for their communities. 
 
Each community president serves as subject community president-elect for one year from July 2023, then takes over as president for a three-year term until July 2027. This is then followed by a one-year stint as immediate past president. The council members take office in July 2023 for a three-year term.

Presidents and council members come from a range of backgrounds and career stages, so this is a great opportunity to assume a leadership position, regardless of where you are in your career.

How to nominate someone and the process

Any member can make nominations for any of the vacancies.

There are two ways of submitting a nomination:

1. Self-nomination

Any member, regardless of membership category, may self-nominate for one vacancy (this does not prevent a self-nominating member from being nominated for another vacant position by either the Nominations Committee, any other RSC Board or Committee or another member).

2. Proposer nomination

Any member, regardless of membership category, may propose candidates for nomination. All nominations are required to be accompanied by the names of two RSC members willing to second the nomination. This shall form part of the candidate’s application.

To be eligible to nominate and vote in community elections, you must be subscribed to the community concerned. To subscribe to particular communities, you can update your membership record through the new online members’ area; by calling +44 (0)1223 432141; or by emailing [email protected]

Nominees will be asked to declare that they are willing to make the necessary commitments if elected.

For elected members of the Board of Trustees, Member Communities Board and Professional Standards Board, the Nominations Committee will confirm the candidate’s willingness to be nominated and evaluate all valid nominations to produce a shortlist of candidates who meet the requirements of the role descriptor and can demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to fulfil the role. Successful candidates will be put forward for election.

For subject community presidents and elected members of the subject community councils, the Nominations Committee will establish that each nomination is valid, confirm each member’s willingness to serve if elected, and put them forward for election.

The RSC has partnered with Mi-Voice, a leading electoral service provider, to set up a secure online nominations website. Please use this link to find further information on our vacancies, including role descriptors and details of how and where members can submit nomination(s).

The closing date for receipt of completed nominations is 5pm (UK time) on Monday 6 February 2023.

Further information

If you have any queries regarding the nominations process, please contact Hilary Beckett, Governance Co-ordinator, who will be pleased to discuss them with you. Tel: +44 (0)207 440 3341; email: [email protected]