Want to help shape the future of the Royal Entomological Society?
Apply to stand for Trustee election
We are seeking two active and dynamic members to serve as the Chairs of the Outreach Committee and Science, Policy and Society Committee.
As a committee chair, you will play a vital role in shaping and enhancing key strategic areas of the Society. Elected trustees will serve a four-year term on Council and help build an exciting future for the Society and achieve its vision to enrich the world with insect science.
You can apply below to stand for trustee election to actively contribute to the governance of the Society and have a key leadership role. The successful candidate will be encouraged to use their strengths and skills to support the Society to ensure it meets its charitable objectives and achieves the goals set in the strategy.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcomed from any member or fellow regardless of experience. It is key for trustees to have a varied skillset that can best support the Society. You do not have to be a fellow, or a professor, or be a regular contributor to our journals. You do not need experience of being a trustee somewhere else – The Society will provide trustee training to new trustees and will also offer refresher training during your term of office. You can be based anywhere in the world, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds and circumstances.
You only need two people to support your application, who have been members or fellows for at least one year. Please email Jemma Gannon at the Society (jemma@royensoc.co.uk) if you would like supporters to be identified and approached for you..
What does being a Trustee mean?
Trustees are a group of people whose aim is to make sure that a charity does what it says it will do, and that it acts properly. Trustees set the strategy, and make sure that the organisation is financially sustainable. They also look after the charity’s assets. For the Royal Entomological Society, this includes our headquarters, the books in the library and staff.
What would my legal role and responsibilities be?
All the trustees are equal and have the same legal duties, as follows:
- Ensure the Society is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit (the improvement and diffusion of entomological science)
- Comply with the Society’s bye-laws and the law itself
- Act in the Society’s best interests
- Manage the Society’s resources responsibly
- Ensure the Society is accountable
- Act with integrity, reasonable care and skill
What are the responsibilities of the Chair of Outreach Committee?
- Strategic Leadership:
- Advise Council on outreach-related matters.
- Review and improve the Society’s public engagement and profile
- Membership Engagement:
- Foster communication with entomologists/members and the public.
- Collaborate with other committees on membership outreach initiatives.
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
- Monitor diversity and inclusion of RES activities for the public.
- Recommend strategies for improving reach and impact of RES public engagement.
- Outreach and Impact:
- Drive new outreach opportunities.
- Improve and develop existing outreach activities such as Insect Week.
- Governance and Reporting:
- Trustee oversight responsibilities.
- Establish accountability and feedback mechanisms.
- Review committee effectiveness and recommend changes.
What are the responsibilities of the Chair of Science, Policy and Society Committee?
- Strategic Leadership:
- Advise Council on policy-related matters.
- Review and improve the Society’s policy and science work.
- Membership Engagement:
- Foster communication with entomologists/members and policymakers.
- Collaborate with other committees on membership consultations related to science policy.
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
- Monitor diversity and inclusion, and barriers to participation in insect science, where policy development is needed.
- Recommend strategies for improving participation in insect science.
- Policy and Science
- Oversee the Society’s capability to provide independent and authoritative scientific advice to international decision makers.
- Ensure that the RES Grand Challenges project is included across the Society’s activities, in collaboration with other committees.
- Governance and Reporting:
- Trustee oversight responsibilities.
- Establish accountability and feedback mechanisms.
- Review committee effectiveness and recommend changes.
The application process
The Society is committed to increasing diversity within the Society’s leadership and welcomes applications from all, especially those from under-represented groups. If this applies to you, or if you would like help with your application, please contact jemma@royensoc.co.uk for an informal chat about how the Society can help you.
Data provided as part of the application process will be treated in accordance with the Society’s Privacy Policy.
The deadline for applications is 11.59pm BST on 19th July 2024. Successful candidate will start their role as trustee at the next AGM on 11th September 2024.
The voting process
Council will assess applications for eligibility, skills and experience and if necessary, create shortlists.
If only one application is received then the candidate will be put to the Membership for a “yes/no” confirmation vote. Online voting information will be emailed to the Membership and put on the website on 5 August 2023.
Voting will close on 2nd August 2024.
Candidates will be notified of the results before the AGM. Council will announce the results at the AGM on 11th September 2024, University of Liverpool and online.
We look forward to hearing from you!
