President

Duties

The President(s) is/are responsible for the overall organization, coordination, and direction of the BGSA members and events. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Ensure all necessary positions are filled within the BGSA, or if unfilled, should cover that position or make other necessary arrangements.

• Keep communication with the GSA open by including the GSA representative at regular BGSA meetings, and maintain communication with the Department of Biological Sciences. The president is expected to sit on the departmental council as one of the four graduate student reps.

• Organize meetings: both the Annual General Meetings held once a semester, and monthly meetings with the other members of the executive.

• Supervise, directly organize, or delegate keystone events in the BGSA calendar such as the Welcome to new graduate students mentor/mentee BBQ, Halloween party, Winter Gala, Candidacy Exam, RE Peters Conference, etc.

• Oversee budgets and event planning as well as paperwork arising from each.

Time commitment

• 3–6 hrs/week

 

Vice-President

Duties

• “Jack of all trades.” The job description is deliberately vague because the job itself allows for a great amount of freedom.

• Attends BGSA meetings and adds their voice for planning and organization of various events and services organized by the BGSA (e.g., helping to organize the candidacy workshop, organizing Oilers/Oil Kings hockey tickets for the department, chairing sessions at the Richard E Peters Biological Sciences conference, etc.).

• As Vice-President, one organizes what needs to be organized and volunteers for what needs volunteering.

 

Treasurer

Duties

• Draft the Annual Budget

• Complete Budget updates

• Maintain knowledge of the account balance

• Write and sign cheques

• Collect coins from the snack station coin-box

• Roll coins (lots and lots of coins)

• Deposit said coins in the bank account

• Attend meetings and ensure the rest of council understands the BGSA’s current money situation (be it good or bad)

• This position is great because the time commitment is rather small, but you still get to be involved. You deal with fairly important stuff…money…and have a say in how it is handled. It’s a great way to get a foot in the door or keep your hand in the pot.

Time commitment

• 2–3 hours per week (or less)

 

Secretary

Duties

• Responsible for taking and distributing meeting minutes

• Responsible for organizing/updating descriptions of BGSA events.

• Supportive role to the president(s) and vice-president(s) when additional help is needed for social and academic events, meetings, etc.

Time commitment

• The time commitment for the BGSA secretary is minimal, including time spent in meetings (2-3 meetings/semester), and typing up minutes to distribute to the executive council (15min, depending on how fast you type).

• Additional duties are voluntary, and may include planning/volunteering for events.