Announcing candidates for the 2019-2022 term on CSA’s Board of Directors

The Nominations Committee is pleased to put forward the following ballot of candidates to fill the four open seats on the CSA Board of Directors. From this ballot, the four candidates with the most votes will be elected to join the CSA Board. Elected candidates will serve a 3-year term beginning in May.

As you review the candidate profiles, we urge you to evaluate them on the skills and ideas each might bring to help advance our still fledgling organization. We rely on Board members to shape the future of the Association by establishing policy, securing support for operations, and ensuring that the organization can achieve its mission and carry out our strategic plan (read more about board member responsibilities here). We’re a growing and dynamic field in a growing and dynamic world, and we are still in the midst of establishing the structures and practices that can best support you and your work.

The current Board has selected three areas of experience or expertise that are critical to enhance membership value and Association development. These are fundraising/development, financial management, and organizational governance. Please keep these critical areas in mind when you vote.  

Many candidates will be in attendance at the upcoming conference in Raleigh. We encourage you to seek them out and get to know them a bit. We expect that they would welcome the chance to talk with you.

Voting is open to active, dues-paying members of the Citizen Science Association (members can log in here to vote). For more information about becoming a paid member, please visit https://citizenscience.org/membership/.
Voting will close on March 29 EXTENDED, April 5th at 11:59 pm local time. Please email nominations@citizenscience.org with any questions or concerns.

The candidates:

Alison Cawood:  Five years of experience managing citizen science programs, including volunteer management and program design, member of education strategic planning committee for a large, interdisciplinary organization, and experience with grant writing and engaging with donors. View: Resume View: Full Candidate Statement

Charmel Menzel:  Eager to strengthen the citizen science community by contributing her organizational skills developed over 25 years working for a non-profit, state government and in private industry.  Experience includes managing staff and programs while applying innovative technology to data management and analysis projects. View: Resume  View Full Candidate Statement

Dixon Butler:  Scientist, citizen scientist; President of the Virginia Environmental Endowment and Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists; who has managed a non-profit and NASA research programs, done fund raising, staffed the House Appropriations Committee, served on other boards. View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Eva Lewandowski:   I am an experienced grant writer and have created and managed budgets. I have experience leading groups, including creating and following governance structures. My strong customer service and state government background will bring a new dimension to CSA.View: Resume View: Full Candidate Statement

Heather A. Fischer: I will leverage my prior experience in both organizational governance and financial management to strengthen the CSA. My vision for CSA is to; increase the use of citizen science data in research, support diversity, and serve as a knowledge resource.View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Julia Parrish:  I have run a citizen science program – COASST – for 20 years.  In that time, I have brought in millions in funding; hired excellent, dedicated, creative staff, students and postdocs; leapt into social science; and demanded first-rate natural science from everyone involved. View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Mark Chandler:  I am a collaborative leader with excellent operational and communication skills who raises the funding necessary to deliver impactful and accessible community science programs. Through listening and relationship building, I actively support teams to address community needs, interests and outcomes. View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Michael Bennett:  Long-time informal science educator. Experience in science centers, high-tech marketing, and 12 years in a science literacy non-profit (7 years as ED).  PI on 3 large PD NSF-ISE grants. Drove a major strategic planning effort. Dramatically improved private fund-raising efforts. View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Sacoby Wilson: I have worked with grassroots organizations in community science including CBPR and community-owned and managed research on environmental justice topics.  I will bring experience in fundraising (research grants) and organizational governance (8 years of experience on another board) to CSA.View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Sarah Ramsey:  Experience with start-up and transitioning nonprofit governance, a background in developing and promoting citizen science projects at NASA, and two decades of experience in strategic communications in science and technology-focused organizations. View: Resume  View: Full Candidate Statement

Posted on: March 12, 2019  |  Category: Blog, CSA Blog, News