How to become a board member

If you are interested in being a member of the Europe Region Board you must be a member of SCB and a member of the Europe Region. Generally 2 to 4 board members are elected annually. Usually, the Call for Nominations goes out in September or October and the election runs in October or November. Each year region members receive an email about the open positions and the start of the election process. For more information about getting involved with this board, please contact us.

Board Member Agreement

Being a member of the SCB-ER involves taking responsibility for the development of the region. The Board Member Agreement outlines the expectations of Board members.

Board Member Agreement Society for Conservation Biology Europe Region

The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is an international scientific organization composed of individual members around the world with the vision to advance the science and practice of conserving the earth’s biological diversity. SCB is organized into seven regions, of which the Europe Region is one. The Europe Region Board is a group of elected volunteer leaders who serve the interest of Region members. This agreement sets out the collective responsibilities of Europe Region Board members.

Europe Region Mission

The mission of the European Region of the Society for Conservation Biology is to promote conservation science and its application to conserve biological diversity in Europe. The principal goals of the Region are:

To increase awareness and understanding of conservation issues in Europe.
To strengthen conservation science research and its application in Europe.
To organise on a regular basis, a European Congress of Conservation Biology.
To advocate for biological diversity and promote the important role of scientific evidence and review in the assessment of conservation strategies.
To develop, promote and facilitate networks of communication and collaboration among SCB members, other researchers, managers, government agencies and non-governmental organizations in Europe and throughout the world.
To supply unbiased, policy-relevant scientific evidence and information on biodiversity and conservation issues.
To promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the conservation science and practice community in Europe and beyond.

Our Board’s Values

Accountability, integrity, and effectiveness.
Commitment to sustainability, recognising its importance for the long-term viability of human societies and environments.
Commitment to diversity and inclusivity, recognising that the success of biodiversity conservation relies on inclusion of people who have many and different views, identities and geographies.
Valuing biodiversity, ecological complexity and evolutionary processes necessary to support healthy populations of all species, including people.
Commitment to halting and reversing biodiversity loss in Europe.
Promoting the responsibilities of all people and governments to maintain and restore biodiversity.
Promoting the importance of science to inform decision-making and conservation actions.

Board Member Agreement

I understand that as a member of the SCB Board of the Europe Region, I have a responsibility to ensure that the Region does the best work possible in pursuit of its goals. I believe in the purpose and the mission of the Region, and I will act responsibly and prudently as its steward. As a Board member, I will have the authority to vote and determine the overall policies and direction that the Region will adopt during my term.

I am aware that breaching my responsibilities, as outlined in this document, may result in expulsion from the Board as outlined in the Bylaws of the Europe Region. I recognize that, as a Board member:

I am fiscally responsible, with the other Board members, for the Region. It is my duty to know what our budget is and to take an active part in planning the budget and implementing the fundraising to meet it, and ensure that the budget is spent wisely and in accordance with our policies to support our mission.
I am responsible for working collaboratively with other Board members to provide good leadership and effective governance to ensure the Europe Region fulfils its mission, operates with integrity and in compliance with its bylaws and complies with its legal responsibilities.

To carry out these responsibilities I will:

Act with honesty, integrity and transparency.
Consider myself a leader of SCB and its Europe Region and will act to ensure the Region is well-maintained, financially secure, evolving and always operating in the best interests of our mission and our members.
Represent SCB and the Europe Region in a positive and supportive manner at all times.
Implement the Region’s Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles in all decision-making and at all times when representing the Board.
Communicate respectfully with my fellow board members and SCB staff and respect their opinions, even if different to my own, and respect and support majority decisions made by the Board.
Actively contribute to the Board and to SCB, by attending and actively participating in regular Board meetings, special events (including the planning and delivery of events such as ECCB, webinars), and participate in at least one committee and attend committee meetings. I will also contribute to the newsletter, annual report and to other articles and policies, as and when required.
Actively contribute to, and participate in, SCB fundraising activities.
Follow data protection law and protocol and ensure confidential information is kept confidential.
Ensure that personal or financial interests do not conflict with my ability to perform my duties and excuse myself from discussions and votes where I have a conflict of interest.
Stay informed about what's going on in the organization, asking questions and requesting information. I will participate in and take responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies, and other matters and not stay silent if I have questions or concerns.
Bring to the attention of the Board any issues I believe will have an adverse effect on SCB and the Europe Region.
Not harass, bully, intimidate or discriminate against other Board Members, members of SCB staff, colleagues or any persons that I will interact with as a part of my involvement in SCB.
In all SCB meetings and events, I commit to following the principles for a safe and inclusive space. This includes but is not limited to: be kind and compassionate; maintain an open mind; be inclusive and use inclusive and respectful language; respect diversity; and listen to, and respect the views of other people, even if these are different from your own.
Report to the Board the occurrence of any improper conduct or misconduct.

In turn, SCB as an organization will be responsible to me in the following ways:

I will be sent, without having to request them, financial reports and an update of activities that allow me to fulfill my formal responsibilities to the Region.
I will be provided with an induction when I join the Board and will be informed of any changes in programs;
I will be provided with opportunities to discuss the Region’s programmes, goals, activities, and status with the Board president; additionally, I can request such opportunities.
I will receive help to perform my duties by keeping me informed about issues in which we are working and opportunities for professional development as a Board member.
Board members will respond in a straightforward fashion to questions that I feel are necessary to carry out my fiscal, formal, and moral responsibilities to the Region. Board members and SCB staff will work collaboratively and in good faith with me towards achieving our goals.
If these commitments towards me are not fulfilled, I can call on the Board president to discuss the organization's responsibilities to me.