The Society of Toxicology (SOT) election results are in and once again, SOT is assured of talented and committed leadership. Have you ever wondered how candidates for SOT ballot are selected? As a graduate student, this certainly crossed my mind and now, after completing my service as the Chair of the 2013–2014 Nominating Committee, I can tell you.
To start the process, the Regional Chapters, Special Interest Groups, Specialty Sections, Past Presidents, and President put forward candidates, from which the SOT voting members elect a Nominating Committee. This representative Nominating Committee helps ensure that the ballot is comprised of individuals from a variety of scientific, geographic, and other demographic sectors.The goal is to bring a diversity of thought and perspective when developing the SOT ballot.
In the summer, the Nominating Committee solicits nominations from the membership, reviews stacks of member volunteer service lists, and puts forward the names of individuals they think have provided stellar service to the Society. For me, looking at hundreds of pages of member volunteer names was a very humbling experience. Each member of the Nominating Committee is asked to select 5–10 names for consideration for each position.
In the fall, the Nominating Committee meets at the SOT Headquarters office and puts together a list of candidates for each elected position based on the names submitted by the Nominating Committee. The candidates for elected committees (Awards and Fellowship) come from the lists of members who have served SOT as leaders in Regional Chapters, Special Interest Groups, Specialty Sections, Toxicological Sciences, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral leadership positions. The SOT Council candidates are drawn from those lists, plus the elected committee lists, and Secretary- and Treasurer-Elect position candidates include members with previous Councilor service. The Vice President-Elect, for which the learning curve is very steep, most often has served on Council previously.
After a day of comparing notes and doing research, the Nominating Committee creates a final slate, making adjustments for balance and also to ensure that SOT is building a strong and diverse pool of candidates for future service. Often, the slate contains some if/then scenarios to prevent situations such as multiple candidates from one organization running against each other.
As Nominating Committee Chair, I was able to call the proposed candidates to confirm that each would serve if elected and to make certain they understood the time commitment. SOT is very lucky. Most candidates wanted to serve and those that didn’t often cited extenuating circumstances and asked to be considered in the future.
Each year, before January 1, a ballot that is composed of extraordinary members who for many years have worked for the science and Society, is sent to voting members, from which they are able to select the candidates they think will best help SOT to reach its objectives.
I don’t know many other groups with such a rigorous process and I believe that this is a primary reason for SOT’s success. We have many highly qualified committed volunteers who through years of service to SOT learn the organizational culture, values, and objectives. From this group, the ballot candidates are selected and then elected. It is very rare that someone who is elected cannot fulfill his or her obligations, more often, the elected members exceed expectations and go beyond what has been done to ask what else can be done! How great is that?
So, the next time you wonder how candidates for Council are selected, remember that you, too, can be on be on the ballot through your outstanding service in Regional Chapters, Special Interest Groups, Specialty Sections, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral leadership positions, editorial boards, committees, task forces, and Annual Meeting participation.
My years on SOT Council were some of the most meaningful in my professional life. Even though we come from diverse backgrounds, the overriding concern was always what is the best decision for our Society. We worked very hard to ensure our Society’s Vision and Mission will be sustained. We also developed great friendships that I will cherish throughout my life. So when the call comes to serve, I hope you will enthusiastically say Yes!