Newswise — The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors, which helps to guide the priorities and direction of the organization. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
GCOOS-RA — which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year — is a nonprofit organization with members from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida that is tasked with establishing a sustained observing system for the Gulf of Mexico to provide ocean information needed by end-users.
Members are industry leaders, marine scientists, resource managers, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders who share their data to provide timely information about the Gulf of Mexico — they are gathering information similar to the way the National Weather Service gathers data to develop weather forecasts.
In August, the terms of five current GCOOS-RA board members will expire. The responsibilities of the 17-member board include:• Setting policy for the organization and guiding the executive director• Revising corporate bylaws and other documents as necessary• Establishing and maintaining the structure of the Regional Association including approvals of appointments to councils, committees, task teams and other groups• Approving budgets and business model• Approving proposals • Approving endorsements requested by GCOOS-RA members for their proposals
“We really want to make sure that GCOOS represents all interested parties — whether that’s private sector industry members, federal, state or local government representatives or members of the academic and education and outreach communities,” said Alyssa Dausman, Science Advisor at the U.S. Geological Survey and chair of the membership committee. “So we encourage interested partners from all of these areas to apply and help us continue to grow the GCOOS-RA.”
The GCOOS-RA Board terms are for three years and begin with the summer/autumn meeting. The Board meets in person twice annually and by phone every other month and when needed. Board meeting expenses are paid by GCOOS-RA, but the positions are not salaried.
Candidates must:• Be a member of the GCOOS-RA or affiliated with a member organization (nonmembers may contact [email protected] for membership information); • Produce or use data or products from the Gulf of Mexico and its estuaries or be employed by an entity that does so; • Be interested and available to serve a three-year term.
Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations should include a short biography, indicate the member organization and its sector (government, academic, industry, education/outreach, etc.). Nominations should be emailed to BOTH Alyssa Dausman, [email protected], Chair of the GCOOS-RA Membership Committee, AND Susan Martin [email protected]. Nominee ballots will be sent to GCOOS-RA voting members on Monday, Feb. 23, with the vote closing at 5 p.m. CST on Friday, March 6.
RSS