The IGS, in accordance with its bylaws, will hold elections in 2024. IGS Members will have the opportunity to elect six Council Members. Each of the elected members will serve a four-year term, beginning in September 2024.

The Council is the governing body of the IGS, responsible for the management of the Society in accordance with the bylaws, objectives and policies.

The IGS encourages any IGS Member who is interested in furthering the IGS mission to consider standing for election. Council Members are required to attend all IGS Council Meetings during their tenure. The IGS Council normally meets each year for a one-day meeting in conjunction with an IGS Regional Conference or International Conference on Geosynthetics. IGS Council Members are expected to travel to these meetings and actively participate in discussions. Such meetings may take place in any world region, on rotation. Additional meetings are held virtually two or three times each year. Council Members are also expected to contribute to Committees established by the Council.

The elected IGS Council members whose terms of office conclude in September 2024 are:

• Yoshi Miyata, Japan (1st term)
• Helmut Zanzinger, Germany (1st term)
• Francesco Fontana, Italy (2nd term)
• Timothy Stark, USA (1st term)
• Jabulile Msiza, South Africa (1st term)
• Jacek Kawalec, Poland (1st term)

Council Members may be elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms: Francesco Fontana is therefore not eligible for re-election. All other serving Council members may stand for re-election, including those currently serving as invited or co-opted members.

Eligibility

Only IGS Members are eligible for election. Note that Student Members and Corporate Members may not stand.  

Election Schedule

Nominations are open until 2 February 2024. Voting will be open from mid-February to mid-April. Results will be announced at or before the GeoAmericas 2024 Conference (28 April – 1 May). We will publish a full schedule when ballots open.

Call for Nominees and How to Apply

The call for candidates has officially opened and will also be shared in the December 2024 edition of the IGS Newsletter and on the IGS website. The call for nominations will close on 2 February 2024.

All IGS Members are encouraged to consider running for Council. Candidates should nominate themselves; there is no requirement for a proposer or seconder. Please submit the following:

• your membership number (for verification purposes only)
• your country of residence. There is no restriction on the number of candidates from any country region
• a personal statement of no more than 200 words. This may include a link to an online profile
• a photograph of yourself

All documents should be sent by email only to IGS Secretariat Manager at IGSsec@GeosyntheticsSociety.org on or before 2 February 2024. All documents should be editable – no pdfs please. Please use the email address you have registered with the IGS for your membership.

Announcement of Nominees: February 2024

The IGS will announce the eligible candidates in the February 2024 edition of the IGS Newsletter, as well as on the IGS website. This will include candidates’ country of residence, supporting statement and photograph.

Voting: February to April 2024

Voting instructions will be sent via email to each eligible Individual IGS Member and each designated representative from the IGS Corporate Membership. Each member may vote once and all voting will be done electronically. Please make sure you have submitted an accurate email contact to the IGS, which you can update by logging in to the IGS website.

Announcement of Successful Candidates: April 2024

Successful candidates will be announced via the website on in April 2024.

The first meeting of the new IGS Council is expected to take place virtually in September  2024.

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If you have any questions or would like any further information on the election process or the responsibilities involved in becoming an IGS Council Member, please contact the IGS Secretariat, Elise Oatman at IGSsec@GeosyntheticsSociety.org