Welcome to the 2015 SSWR Board of Directors Elections.
This year, there are openings for one (1) Vice President-Elect, one (1) Treasurer, two (2) Members-at-Large, and one (1) Student Member-at-Large. The responsibilities of each open position are described below. In order for your vote to be valid, you must be a current SSWR member.
- View nominees’ bios, photos, and vision statements (PDF)
- Description of open positions – see below
- Cast your vote
Voting deadline: December 22, 2015, 11:59pm, Eastern
Nominees for this year’s elections are:
Vice President-Elect:
- Michael Spencer, PhD, MSSW, University of Michigan
- Karina Walters, PhD, MSW, University of Washington
Treasurer:
- Carmen Morano, PhD, MSW, Hunter College, CUNY
- Trina Shanks, PhD, MSW, MPhil, University of Michigan
Members-at-Large:
- Laura Abrams, PhD, MSW, University of California, Los Angeles
- Leopoldo Cabassa, PhD, MSW, Columbia University
- Anne Haley-Lock, PhD, MSW, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Daphne Watkins, PhD, University of Michigan
Student Member-at-Large:
- Mary Ann Priester, MSW, University of Southern Carolina
- Rebecca Rebbe, MSW, University of Washington
Each nominee has supplied a biographical sketch and vision statement (download here). We encourage you to read the following materials carefully before you cast your vote. To cast your vote use the online ballot at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSWRelections. Jennifer Lewis, the Administrative Director of SSWR, will be administering the online voting process. With this single exception, your ballot will be anonymous.
Descriptions of Open Board Positions (terms start February 1, 2016)
Vice President-Elect (three-year term including one year as Vice President-Elect, one year as Vice President and one year as Past Vice President/Past Conference Chair.)
The Vice President-elect serves as a member of the Program Committee, plans and coordinates the pre-conference methodology workshops and provides direct support to the Vice President in planning the annual conference. The Vice President-elect becomes the Vice President in the second year of his or her term. The Vice President chairs the Program Committee, which plans and coordinates the annual conference. The Vice President becomes the Past Vice President in the third year, serving as a member of the Program Committee. During periods when there is no President-elect, the Vice-President shall serve as President in the event of the President’s resignation, lengthy absence, or incapacity.
Treasurer (three-year term)
The Treasurer shall receive, have custody of, and disburse the funds of the Society subject to authorization of the Board of Directors, oversee maintenance of records of all receipts and disbursements, preparation of financial statements, annual dues notices, and records of dues payments, and carry on the routine business and fiscal affairs of the Society; arrange for an independent audit of the accounts annually, with approval from the Board of Directors, sign contracts and other authorized documents on behalf of the Society; and prepare an annual budget based on plans developed by the Board of Directors and the committee chairs.
Board Member-at-Large (three-year term)
A member-at-large may be asked to serve in the following capacities: Chair, Nominations and Elections Committee; Chair, Excellence in Research, Chair, Outstanding Dissertation Awards Committees; Chair, Doctoral Fellows Award, Chair Deborah Padgett Early Career Award, Volunteer Coordinator for Annual Conference; Coordinator of Conference Evaluation; Chair, Committee on Publications. Nominees should be prepared to take on one or more of these roles if asked by the President.
Student Member-at-Large (two-year term)
The Student member-at-large works with the President on planning the doctoral student session and luncheon at the annual conference, chairs the Doctoral Student Task Force, and represents student interests on the Board. Note that this position is currently reserved for a doctoral student. Nominees should have a minimum of two years remaining in their doctoral studies.
In addition to the above tasks, Board members are expected to be available for Board meetings before and during the January annual conference, a two-day, mid-year meeting in the early spring and monthly conference calls throughout the year.
Qualifications sought in Board nominees include:
- Leadership
- Support for and commitment to SSWR and its mission
- Experience and stature as a researcher
- Communication skills
- Ability to fulfill commitments as a Board member