What is the House of Society Delegates?
The House of Society Delegates (HSD) is the organizational body within the Society comprised of a delegate and alternate delegate from each state society, the chair and vice-chair of the National Student Assembly, and the chair and vice-chair of HSD. Each delegate shall be a state society chair or chair-elect. The chair-elect can also serve as the alternate delegate. Another state society member can be designated as the delegate if the state society chair or chair-elect cannot fill the role.
How was HSD formed?
As the Society grew, communications became more complex and local SAF leaders wanted another avenue, in addition to Council, through which the ideas and concerns of SAF members could be voiced. A meeting of local leaders to accomplish these goals was envisioned and its organization debated for a number of years prior to its official establishment. During the mid-1960s, informal meetings with no prepared agendas took place among the leadership of the Sections.
In l965, the Western Forester reported that William H. Larson of the Puget Sound Section (now the Washington State Society) suggested, at the 1965 National Convention in Detroit, a "two-house system of Society government" for SAF. On September 14, 1966, the House of Section Delegates was officially established and, that year at the SAF National Convention in Seattle, Washington, the first meeting of all the Chairs of the SAF Sections was held. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, as various Sections voted to become individual state, multi-state or intrastate societies, the name was changed to, the House of Society Delegates.
The goals and objectives of the HSD have varied slightly over the years with some broadening of the issues the HSD addresses, and the depth at which they are discussed. However, the greatest evolution of HSD is how it is viewed within the Society. What began, as an isolated discussion group has become an integral part of SAF.
What are the goals of HSD?
The HSD was established to serve as:
- a means for members (as represented by their delegates) to work in partnership with Council and national office staff on SAF and professional affairs, and to identify and forward forest policy issues for national office consideration;
- a channel of communication between state societies, National Student Assembly (NSA), Council, and national office staff;
- a forum for exchange and discussion of ideas and information to improve SAF and the forestry profession at the national, state, chapter, and student chapter levels.
When does HSD meet?
HSD delegates meet once a year for two days just prior to SAF's national convention. National office staff, Council, nonvoting participants of Council, and working group officers attend the meeting as observers. Additional state society representatives can also attend the meeting as observers.
How is the HSD chair elected?
The HSD vice-chair will head a nominating committee of two or more delegates appointed by the current chair. The nominating committee will place in nomination the names of not less than two delegates for chair. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the annual meeting. Candidates have the opportunity to address HSD to convey their qualifications and ideas. Election will be by secret ballot of the delegates.
A separate election for vice-chair is held following election of the chair. Candidates will include the remaining nominees from the chair election, if they so choose, and other nominees from the floor. This election is also by secret ballot.
What is the role of the HSD officers?
The HSD chair prepares the agenda for and moderates the annual meeting and conference calls, keeps HSD recommendations updated, and attends the Leadership Academy. The chair also attends all Council meetings as a nonvoting participant.
The vice-chair serves as head of the nominating committee, assists the chair during conference calls, assists with parliamentary procedure during the meeting, and updates the HSD orientation manual.
What do delegates accomplish at an HSD meeting?
At the HSD meeting, delegates:
- review and recommend priorities for the policies and programs of SAF, including new or proposed programs, and discuss the long-range goals of the Society;
- recommend to the Council proposals for making SAF more effective in carrying out its responsibilities to its members, the profession, and society;
- recommend to the Council an agenda of forest policy issues for national consideration;
- facilitate the exchange of information among state societies and with national office staff, Council, and national committees and task forces.
What is the HSD Convener System?
HSD established the convener system in 1995 in an effort to improve communication
within HSD. In this system, a group of conveners agree to call five or
six state society chairs throughout the year. The topics of discussion
range from HSD agenda-setting to "hot issue" identification. The conveners,
along with the HSD officers, NSA chair, and national office staff participate
in conference calls throughout the year. During the conference calls,
the conveners discuss the HSD agenda and issues brought forward during
their contact with the state society chairs.
Who are the past chairs of HSD?
1966 William H. Larson
1967 William Rutherford, Jr.
1968 Benjamin B. Stout
1969 Ben M. Swendsen
1970 Paul W. Easterbrook
1971 T. W. Curtin
1972 Robert H. Clark
1973 Spencer T. Moore
1974 Curtis H. Bauer, Jr.
1975 Kenneth L. Delfino
1976 R. Rodney Foil
1977 David W. Molinaro
1978 Stanley E. Blinks
1979 A. Temple Bowen, Jr.
1980 Donald R. Theoe, CF
1981 William H. Banzhaf, CF
1982 Dennis C. LeMaster
1983 Malcolm R. Dick, Jr.
1984 Albert J. Childs, Jr.
1985 Thomas Ostermann
1986 J. Patrick McElroy
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1987 John J. Vrablec
1988 Quentin P. Mack
1989 Robert A. Stine
1990 Kent P. Connaughton
1991 Zane J. Cornett
1992 Clark W. Seely, CF
1993 Steven D. Laursen
1994 Stephen D. Hobbs
1995 Tom L. Thompson
1996 Valerie A. Luzadis
1997 David A. Cleaves
1998 Timothy A. Kaden, CF
1999 Michael A. Virga, CF
2000 Stephanie A. Brown, CF
2001 Rod E. Brevig, CF
2002 Michael B. Lester, CF
2003 Gary Schneider, CF
2004 Nancy Peckman, CF
2005 Rod E. Brevig, CF/CFA
2006 Charles Lorenz, CF
2007 Craig Vollmer, CF |
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