Guidance for Council and committee elections 2024

Guidance for Council elections

Positions on Council are nominated and elected by the Fellowship and bring with them the responsibilities of a Trustee of the Society. Elections take place every June at the Society’s Annual General Meeting.

It is normally expected that Council members will also serve on (and chair in the case of Vice Presidents) the Committee of Council relevant to the position to which they have been elected. Only Fellows of the Society may stand for positions on Council and only Fellows may propose candidates for election (this includes Associate Fellows).

Candidates standing for election to Council should be able to demonstrate:

• a good working knowledge of the Society

• an understanding and support for its breadth of activities and audiences

• experience and seniority relevant to the position that you are standing for

Each position also requires a sound working knowledge, as appropriate, of geographical education, expeditions and fieldwork, research and higher education, geography in professional practice. In addition, Council has provided guidance on the skills, expertise and experience on the skills, expertise and experience that it feels would be most helpful at the present time. It is not a requirement that candidates fill identified skills gaps but it is highly desirable. 

In terms of time commitment, Council members must be available to read papers for, and attend, four Council meetings per year and at least two Committee meetings per year. If you wish to stand for a Research and Higher Education position, you must also currently hold a related post in a further or higher education institution, or be a person of similar standing.