Technical Working Groups
What is the role of working groups?
Working groups (WG) are communities of interest established by the FS&TB as the need becomes evident, and terminated by the board when the need no longer exists. (There are currently 28 working groups.) Members of the Society are allowed to join up to three working groups as part of their membership.
The working groups communicate by posting WG-News on the SAF website, hosting email discussion lists, sponsoring technical sessions and field tours at the national convention, and sponsoring or cosponsoring conferences or other programs throughout the year. Other communication opportunities include submission of articles to the Science and Technology section of The Forestry Source, the Focus section of the Journal of Forestry and development of working group websites.
In concert with the Forest Science and Technology Board (FS&TB), WG disseminate and build forest and forestry-related science and technology. Their primary objectives are to:
- Seek new and innovative ways to involve SAF members and others in informational exchange about (1) science and technology, and (2) policy and other activities where science and technology are important components.
- Provide a national reservoir of scientific and technical forestry and forestry-related expertise for the Society.
- Identify areas of needed research and recommend means of initiating them.
Thus, WGs enhance the competence of SAF members, strengthen the forest science and technology disciplines, and ensure the science base of current and emerging forestry issues. As they inform policy and communication efforts, WGs also help increase public understanding of forests and the profession of forestry.
Working primarily scientist to scientist and between scientists and practitioners, WGs facilitate information exchange and technology transfer within their disciplinary interests. Working groups are also increasingly active in fostering interdisciplinary discussions, serving to integrate the different disciplines involved in forest and forestry-related decision making at all levels.
Through their SARs, WGs are often asked to assess the scientific and technical content of both current and proposed position statements. While the Society's Bylaws state that WGs are not a policy-making body on forest policy issues, they do state that "members and units of the Society are encouraged to participate responsibly in SAF forest policy activities" (Bylaws II-B.1). Thus, WGs should consider policy as one area of potential focus. Working groups are encouraged to review and comment on existing position statements relevant to their subject area, and to recommend emerging topics for policy consideration.
Working groups interested in pursuing a study on a forest policy issue must work through the FS&TB. The procedures are as follows:
- A working group informs the FS&TB through the appropriate SAR of their group's intent to undertake a policy issue study. The working group provides justification, using criteria listed in Bylaws II-D.1, and II-A.2.
- The FS&TB evaluates the working group's request in consultation with the Committee on Forest Policy (CFP). If accepted, the FS&TB recommends to Council that the issue study be assigned to the requesting working group. (Bylaw II-D.1.c).
- Council reviews the recommendation. If accepted, Council assigns the policy issue to the requesting working group under a Council-approved charter (Bylaw II-D.1.e) prepared in consultation with the FS&TB and CFP.
- Once chartered, the working group follows all procedures described in Bylaws II- D: National Position-Taking Procedures.
How are working groups formed?
New working groups are established by the FS&TB upon petition by SAF members. A petition should:
- Describe the scope of the proposed working group subject matter, explaining how it differs from the scope of existing groups;
- State the group's objective; and
- Carry the signatures of at least 50 SAF members who indicate their interest in becoming active members of the group. The petition should contain a statement that the petitioners intend to select the new working group as one of their three options at the next annual selection time.
Following the approval by the FS&TB, the chair appoints three officers, who then plan and conduct an organizing meeting. The organizing officers serve as a nominating committee for permanent officers at the next scheduled working group elections.
How are working groups dissolved?
If the activity of a working group appears minimal for several years in succession, the FS&TB will inquire as to why the level of interest and activity seems low. The board may recommend that the officers increase activity, petition to dissolve the working group, or petition to merge it with another group.
If the working group officers recommend abolishing or merging the working group, the board will poll the group's membership to determine their agreement with the decision. If the officers do not respond to the board's request for information, then the board will poll the working group members directly and make the final decision.
Strengthening Working Group Operations
SAF Council's Strategic Objectives call for "…leadership for formulating and implementing continuing education to ensure the highest professional standards in service to society." They also state, "SAF will be recognized by a growing percentage of the US public and policy makers as the leading provider of credible forestry information and will be recognized internationally as the voice of professional forestry in the United States." Measurable ends include providing a forum for open discussion of philosophies and opinions that define the field of forestry, and expanding the transfer of science and technology at all levels of the Society.
The communities of interest known in SAF as working groups (WG) play a crucial role within our Society toward achieving these objectives and ends. Targeting distinct interests in six areas, WGs are the voice of current scientific thinking on their respective topics. This in turns affords SAF the needed scientific breath and depth to address current and emerging forestry issues. Working groups operate differently than other SAF units.
Examples of working group activities:
- Develop and present SAF national convention technical sessions and tours, both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary cross-working-group programs.
- Conduct regional or national conferences, workshops, field trips, or symposia on targeted topics, alone or in cooperation with other WG, state societies, chapters and outside groups.
- Provide quarterly issue and programmatic updates for the on-line WG-News.
- Provide experts, reviewers and technical comments for position statements, task force reports, continuing education programs, communication and outreach efforts, and other Society publications and programs as requested.
- Identify and prioritize current and emerging forestry issues.
- Prepare articles for the Journal of Forestry, the regional journals or applied forestry, Forest Science, and The Forestry Source.
- Participate with state societies in enhancing the use of science and technology in their professional activities and programs.
- Suggest candidates for SAF task forces on special issues.
- Conduct special projects that are responsive to the needs of the membership, the working group, or the Forest Science and Technology Board.
- Develop forest policy position statements, in accordance with procedures outlined in the SAF Bylaws Section II-D.
- Provide other professional organizations, decision makers, and the general public with information on SAF's science and technology programs and related forestry matters.
Who can be a member of a working group?
Each member of the Society may join up to three WGs. Individual members make the selection, renewal or discontinuance of participation in WGs each year as part of the annual membership renewal process.
Members are asked on their dues renewal statements to indicate the level of working group interest and participation desired. They are:
- Level 1. Serve as a working group officer.
- Level 2. Develop or conduct technical sessions, or serve as a speaker or discussion leader.
- Level 3. Develop articles for website-based WG-News or SAF publications.
- Level 4. Participate in working group activities.
All members are encouraged to participate in the programs, meetings and on line discussion groups related to their selected working group or groups.
Who are the working group leaders?
The chair and chair-elect of each working group constitute the governing body. A secretary may be elected or appointed. Other officers or task-leaders, such as newsletter editor or membership chair, may also be appointed. The elected officers serve two-year terms beginning January 1 of odd-numbered years. The chair-elect serves two years as chair-elect, followed by two years as chair.
What are the responsibilities of working group officers?
The chair and chair-elect responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Develop and present SAF national convention technical sessions and tours, both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary cross-working group programs.
- Providing leadership in developing, reaffirming or supporting programs and activities that meet the needs and interests of working group members.
- Ensuring that WG-News on the SAF website is updated at least quarterly for each working group.
- Submitting annually to FS&TB a list of significant new forest science and technology developments that merit dissemination to the membership.
- Providing annually a two-year plan of action for disseminating forest science and technology to the general membership through national, regional and state workshops, conferences, symposia, publications and other means.
- Participating in the annual working group officers' workshop, conducted at the national convention by the FS&TB. The chair-elect also participates in the national Leadership Academy.
- Submitting an annual activity report on the progress of the working group to the SAR and the SAF Science and Education Department by December 15 of each year.
Under the guidance of the working group chair, the chair-elect serves as the program committee chair for the technical sessions and field tour(s) for the national convention, and as chair of the working group nominating and awards committees. The chair-elect, secretary and appointees may perform other activities as assigned.
How are working group officers selected?
At the end of their term, the current chair-elect will move to the chair position for a two-year term. Working group elections for chair-elect are held during even-numbered years. A secretary may also be elected. As required in the SAF bylaws, at least two nominees must be identified for each office. The chair-elect can appoint a nominating committee, or serve in that role. Solicitation for nominations can takes place in the on-line working group newsletters, through SAF publications, and through direct solicitation of members who have indicated a Level 1 interest in the working group. The national office staff in Science and Education are available to assist WGs in this endeavor. Ballots will be counted and the election certified at least 60 days prior to the SAF national convention that year.
What is the working group officer workshop?
This one-day workshop, held during the SAF national convention, provides an opportunity for working group officers and their Subject Area Representatives (SAR) to network, become familiar with diverse programs among WGs, identify emerging issues, collaborate on technical sessions for the following year's convention, and otherwise work together towards enhancing SAF's science and technology program.
Why are subject area representatives important?
Each SAR is a member of the FS&TB and is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the Society of American Foresters' science programs. SARs represent WGs within a certain subject area on the FS&TB. The six subject areas are: A-resources measurements; B-forest systems; C-ecology and biology; D-management and utilization; E-decision sciences; and F-social and related sciences. Each SAR is elected by the officers of the WGs within their given subject area.
Do working groups have an opportunity to publish articles in The Forestry Source and the Journal of Forestry?
Yes! All WG members are welcome to submit articles through the normal channels. In addition, there are a number of ways that WGs can contribute to The Forestry Source and the Focus section of the Journal of Forestry:
Articles. This could be a short 300 - 500-word article. It can present the current status of research being conducted by a working group member or discuss a new perspective on a discipline of natural resources.
News briefs. A wonderful way for the profession to stay current in science and technology is through interesting tidbits of news or fact—a "did-you-know…" type of piece.
Announcements. The Forestry Source is an ideal forum in which to promote working group symposia, conferences, workshops, seminars or special projects.
If time is limited, the editor of The Forestry Source or Focus would be pleased to follow up on tips or suggestions for articles on current or new research, technology or activities. Alternatively, the editors appreciate leads on people to contact for information on their interesting work in forest science and technology.
How are the achievements of working groups recognized?
The FS&TB reviews working group activity reports and recommends recognition of specific WGs for significant contributions in science dissemination and technology transfer. Selected WGs are recognized during the awards ceremony at the SAF national convention.
How are working groups financed?
Limited funds, in the form of loans, are available to assist WG. These funds are intended to provide partial support for specific projects, from conferences and symposia to publications. Loans are made with the understanding that they will be repaid from proceeds generated by the project. Working groups are encouraged to develop projects that target priorities and submit requests for loan consideration.
Working group accounts can be established at the national office to accept revenues from conferences, publications, events or other activities and cover associated expenses; the WG deposit and use funds in support of their specific activity. Working group account use, management, and loan assistance should be coordinated by the working group officers through the director of science and education at the national office.
Complete List of Working Group Contacts (in the SAF Members Only Area)
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