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How the RSS chooses its President

RSS Presidents usually hold office for two years. When the Society is seeking a new President, a call for nominations goes out in the member e-newsletter at least one month before the nomination deadline. Any member can make a nomination, and all nominations are considered by a President Nomination Committee (PNC). This committee makes a nomination to the RSS Council two years before the new President’s term begins. 

The PNC is chaired by the Society's most recent Past President. Committee members are put forward by Council, the Professional Affairs Committee, advisory groups, sections and local groups. The RSS operates a rotation system, so over the years every section and local group has the opportunity to put a representative forward to sit on the PNC.  

Council has laid down the following criteria to be taken into account when a President is being elected:

  1. The President should be credible within and beyond the Society.
  2. The President should be able to fulfil the various roles of President:
    (a) to represent the Society and the discipline;
    (b) to oversee the Society and its running;
    (c) to initiate his/her own policy projects or directions.
  3. The President should have a prior track record of service to the Society.
  4. The President should have expertise in an area which reflects the current concerns of the Society or of the discipline.
  5. Over a period of time, the Presidents should be drawn in a balanced way from across the various areas of interest of the Society.

Once the PNC has made its choice, and the chosen member has confirmed that they are happy to stand, Council is informed and invited to approve PNC’s proposal. After this, the nominee is announced to the membership as a whole. Should any six fellows wish to nominate another eligible fellow to stand for election as President, an election will be held (in 2021, the deadline for nominating an alternative candidate is 1 August 2021).

If no other nominations are received, Council's nominated candidate is confirmed as President Elect.

Full details of the President nomination process can be found in the RSS Regulations.