Board of Directors Positions
Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee

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The Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee (MnSTAC) was established in 1974 by a group of tree professionals and residents to address the health and well being of Minnesota’s urban and community forests.  Today, it remains an organization of diverse individuals who represent a broad spectrum of tree-related interests as reflected by the composition of its Board of Directors.  MnSTAC’s primary role is to advise the State of Minnesota on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Minnesota’s urban and community forests, and promote and facilitate the coordination of efforts being made by the multitude of jurisdictions and entities which own and affect our community and urban forests.

Composition

The Board of Directors consists of twenty six Directors including its President and a representative of the U.S. Forest Service who is a non-voting ex-office member.  Current Board of Directors. The Board includes representatives from the following agencies, organizations and categories:

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Long-Term Designated Position (14) 

Mn Department of Natural Resources (1)

Mn Department of Agriculture (1)

Mn Department of Transportation (1)

University of Minnesota (1)

Tree Care Advisor (1)

Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (1)

Minnesota Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects (1)

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (1)

Minnesota Chapter Society of American Foresters (1)

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (1) - 

Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (1)

Minnesota Forestry Association (1)

League of Minnesota Cities (1)  

Short-Term Non-Designated Position (11)

Municipal City Forester or Arborist (2) 

Consulting Forester or Arborist (1)  

Utility Forester or Arborist (1) 

Local Tree Board Member (1)

Non-profit Organization (1) - 

Minnesota Corporation (1)

University Student (1)

Resident-at-Large (3-from DNR regions) - 1 - CURRENTLY OPEN

Revised 1/20/2017

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Term of Office

1. Long-Term  Designated Positions (appointed by the permanent parent entity) appointed individuals will serve at the will and pleasure of the parent entity until resignation or replacement by a duly appointed successor.
2. Short-Term Non-Designated Positions (selected by a panel of Board members or the DNR regional forester in the case of the resident-at-large position)-selected and confirmed individuals will serve a 2-year term with a limit of two consecutive 2-year terms. Each term begins on January 1st following confirmation at a regularly scheduled October meeting of the Board.

Qualifications

Candidates for the short-term non-designated postings will be self-nominated and selected based on merit as determined by virtue of their occupation, experience, employer, membership, deeds or other relative status. An individual’s qualifications should relate to the specific category to be represented (refer to eight general categories listed above). Candidates do not have to be a regular member of MnSTAC prior to their selection. Any person appointed or selected to fill a position on the Board of Directors will be deemed to be a regular member of MnSTAC.

Duties

The Board of Directors will oversee the general business and affairs, projects, property and funds of MnSTAC. Specific duties include the following:

1. Guide and counsel the President in the fulfillment of his/her duties.
2. Inform the President about matters related to the mission of MNSTAC as set forth by the MnSTAC constitution and strategic plan.
3. Establish, from time to time, task forces to address such matters that are not within the defined scope of standing committees.
4. Establish additional standing committees, ad hoc sub-committees and ad hoc panels as deemed necessary.
5. Appoint the chairperson and assign members of the Board to ad hoc panels.
6. Review and confirm appointment of chairpersons of standing committees and task forces as submitted by the President.     
7. Develop and revise, as necessary, mission statements for standing committees, ad hoc sub-committees, ad hoc panels and task forces established by the Board.   
8. Review, approve and distribute reports, studies and position papers prepared and submitted by standing committees, ad hoc sub-committees and task forces.
9. Develop and adopt a plan of action for the coming fiscal year.
10. Sanction the establishment of regional shade tree advisory commities.
11. Adopt resolutions and policies to guide and control the operation of MnSTAC.
12. Determine the date, time, location and agenda for semi-annual Board meetings and meetings of the general membership.
13. Disseminate to the MnSTAC membership, in a timely manner, the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the membership.
14. Review and confirm the selection of individuals to fill the position of President and short term non-designated Director.
15. Perform all other duties as may be assigned in accordance with the Constitution.

Meetings

The Board of Directors will meet at least semi-annually (in March and October) at a date, time and place determined by the Board. Generally, each regular meeting can last 2-3 hours. Special meetings can be called by the President or at the request of five Directors. Special meetings can be held on-site, by telephone or other electronic means of conferencing, provided all participants are in simultaneous communication.

The entire Board will also serve as the state’s Urban Forest Council, a delegated advisory body to the State Forester. Meetings of the Council will be on the same days as the semi-annual meetings.

Any voting member of the Board who has two un-excused absences from two consecutive regularly scheduled semi-annual meetings will be considered to have resigned from the Board.

Although not a requirement, Board members are encouraged to attend two regular business meetings of the entire membership to be held during March and September. Board members are also encouraged to participate as a member of at least one Committee, as needed.