SWS Membership Benefits

The Student Section’s Delegate Program is an effort to cultivate the next generation of Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) leaders by engaging students in a microvolunteering and leadership initiative. Our section annually selects 12-15 students to participate in the Delegate Program. The Program allows students to contribute to the Society and the Student Section based on their individual talents and interests. Delegates will work hand in hand with members of the Section’s Board of Directors, depending on their selected projects. Through the Program, they will also get opportunities to collaborate with other leaders in the Society and its partners. Delegates will play a critical role in transitioning the Society into a more inclusive and international scientific entity.

Delegates will serve a one-year, non-renewable term, though they may return to serve again after a year. It is our hope that term limits will encourage delegates to run for alternative leadership positions (i.e Executive Board, Committee Chair and/or Committee Member positions) in the Student Section or others. During their year of service, all students will select from a series of activities, each worth a different number of points, to meet their service requirements. To successfully complete their service and earn their SWS Student Section Delegate certificate, students have to earn a total of 10 points.

​Tier 1: All students must do both.

1. Write one blog post for the website (2 pts)
2. Complete one social media takeover week (2 pts)

​Tier 2: All students must select AT LEAST one of the following options (you may choose more than one).

1. Serve as a section liaison (2 pts)
2. Serve as a chapter liaison (2 pts)
3. Serve on a SS committee as a committee member (2 points)

Tier 3: Select activities that add up to the number of points you have remaining (out of 10 points). It is OK if you go over the required 10 points.

1. Nominate a Wetland of Distinction (3 pts)
2. Write up a WSP article on an existing Wetland of Distinction (1 pt)
3. Plan a community impact event at your local wetland (4 pts)
4. Plan a World Wetlands Day event at your school or local wetland (4 pts)
5. Host a webinar (2 pts)

The application for the 2021 Delegate cohort will open on May 1st, 2021, and will remain open until July 1st, 2021 at 11:59 pm. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews beginning in the second week of July. Delegates will be notified of their status by August 4th, 2021, and will receive a series of training opportunities throughout the month of August (not to exceed a 5-hour commitment). They will begin their term officially on September 1st, 2021 and will hold the position until tasks are completed, or December 31st, 2022, whichever comes first.