Role of Scientific Societies in Identifying and Training Scientists for

Leadership Positions

Catherine O’Riordan

AGU Society Activities Manager

Biocomplexity LWI/CC Workshop 4 Oct 2003

Leadership is the ability to develop a vision that motivates others

to move with a passiontoward common goals

Definition

Leaders Tell People

• Who we are as a community (Values)

• Where we are going (Goals)

• What it will feel like (Imagery)

• How we will get there (Plan)

• What you need to do (Commitment)

Management is the ability to organize resources and

coordinate the execution of tasks necessary to reach a goal

in a timely and cost effective manner

Term Differences

• Volunteers execute tasks

• Chairmen (managers) deploy programs

• Leaders inspire mission-enhancing change

Points worth remembering

1. These are not mutually exclusive roles2. You can only stand so much leadership

Mission

• AGU is a worldwide scientific community that advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the understanding of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity.

• The mission of GSA is to advance the geosciences, to enhance the professional growth of its members, and to promote the geosciences in the service of humankind.

Mission

• The purpose of ASLO is to foster a diverse, international scientific community that creates, integrates and communicates knowledge across the full spectrum of aquatic sciences, advances public awareness and education about aquatic resources and research, and promotes scientific stewardship of aquatic resources for the public interest.

Mission

• The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization of scientists founded in 1915 to: – promote ecological science by improving communication among

ecologists; – raise the public's level of awareness of the importance of

ecological science; – increase the resources available for the conduct of ecological

science; and – ensure the appropriate use of ecological science in environmental

decision making by enhancing communication between the ecological community and policy-makers.

Why are volunteers and leaders so important to scientific societies?

• Greatly expand the intellectual resources of the society

• Provide the backbone of the society

• Create ownership for the society and scientific field

Policy Maker

Activity Leader

Contributor

Helper

Participant

Reader

Loyalist

Symbolist

Oblivious

Marginal

Board Member

Committee Chair

Committee Member

Performs one task

Attends events

Follows from afar

Support the cause

Values appearances

Thinks is licensure

Looking for the exit

Motivation Levels

Point ofEntry

Generic Motives

• Generate/acquire information

• Remove barriers, resolve problems

• Altruism

• Esteem (self and profession)

• Instrumentality, advancement

Motives of Young Scientists

• The program appeals for scientific societies motivate new members:– explore career options;– work with others to forge new research

directions;– peer review the work of others to help

determine meaningful advancements;– cultivate relationships with elected officials and

advocate on behalf of the profession;

Generic Needs of a Volunteer• A manageable task

• A task that matches motivation

• Clear instructions

• Sense of mission-related purpose

• Reasonable deadlines

• Adequate training

• A sense of support

• Right information

• Opportunity to give feedback

• Appreciation

Assoc. editor

reviewer

editor

Session convener

Program committee

Meetings committee

Student paper judge

Leadership pathways

Communicate with elected reps

Publications Meetings Outreach

Committee chair Section officer

Union officer

Policy committee

Judging student papers

Congressional Fellow/Mass Media luncheon

Pathway Analysis

• Identify the paths volunteers take in moving from initial participation activities to top leadership positions

• Identify key commitment points when volunteers see themselves on a leadership track

• Analyze pathway points for their leadership development value and enhancement potential

Assoc. editor

reviewer

editor

Session convener

Program committee

Meetings committee

Student paper judge

Leadership pathways

Communicate with elected reps

Publications Meetings Outreach

Committee chair Section officer

Union officer

Policy committee

To identify potential leaders

• Positions held by current leaders in their pathway to the top

• Epiphany points when their commitment hit that higher level

• Profile the motives or values they associate with in explaining their commitment

System Enhancements

• State-of-the-art training conference

• Mentoring assignments by position

• Expanded manuals, support materials

• Decentralized, on-going strategic planning

• Explicit succession plan

To provide leadership training that helps participants become competent in guiding the society toward the common vision of the scientific field and their own individual leadership goals.

To provide leadership training that enhances the participants contributions to their employer and their field, making them better scientific leaders.

To identify future society leaders for a pathway plan

Leadership Conference Goals

Leadership conference topics

• effective leadership

• determining your personal leadership style

• attracting new members

• building a budget.

• strategic planning

• strategic thinking,

• facilitating groups,

• running effective meetings,

• meeting constituent expectations,

• negotiating skills,

• presentation skills,

• managing time,

• motivating volunteers

• managing productive committees

Success factors for new leaders

• Strong existing leadership/mentoring.

• Growing commitment to the mission.

• Adequate staff support and resources.

• Understanding the connection between society procedures and benefits to participants.

Appreciation.