National Student Assembly
The National Student Assembly (NSA) is the organizational body within the Society formed exclusively for student members. Unlike the House of Society Delegates, where each individual state society chair has a vote, voting rights in NSA are granted to the college or university. A school with a SAF student chapter has two votes on matters brought forward to NSA. Schools with no student chapter but with student members have one vote on matters before the NSA.
The goals of the National Student Assembly (NSA) are to:
- provide a way for students to help achieve the mission of the Society
- increase student participation in the Society
- provide representation of student members to the House of Society Delegates
- facilitate communication between student chapters and student members in the Society
- conduct programs and projects in the interest of the Society and forestry profession
What is the role of NSA officers?
The officers of the NSA are the chair, vice-chair and secretary from the school elected to be the host school for the national convention.
The chair is responsible for preparing the agenda and presiding at NSA meetings. The chair also oversees the business affairs and serves as the NSA's official representative to the House of Society Delegates (HSD). As a representative to HSD, the chair will be a voting delegate just like the state society chairs. The NSA chair will participate in periodic convener calls and express the student members' opinions on issues.
The NSA vice-chair assists the chair in the above duties and sits at the annual HSD meeting as an alternate delegate, similar to the state society chair-elect. If the chair is unable to complete his or her term, the vice-chair will assume the chair's duties.
The secretary records and reports the minutes of the NSA meetings, facilitates elections, serves as financial officer of the NSA, and performs other duties as assigned by the chair.
How is the host school elected?
The host school is determined by vote at the annual NSA meeting. Nominations for the host school may be presented by a nominating committee, appointed by the chair, or be made from the floor. Nominations need to include the name of the school.
When does the NSA meet?
The NSA holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the SAF national convention. Faculty representatives, faculty members, state society chairs and national office staff are encouraged to attend the meeting.
What takes place during a NSA meeting?
Many different things can occur during a NSA meeting. In the past, distinguished speakers who have shared their knowledge of the forestry profession have included the SAF president, SAF executive vice-president, chief of the USDA Forest Service and representatives from industry and non-profit organizations.
Successful student roundtable discussions have addressed the role of students within the Society and student communications.
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