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Executive Board Positions

Executive Board Responsibilities

President

  • Chair and preside over any Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs).
  • Chair and preside over Executive Board meetings and Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) meetings.
  • Present a report to the Membership at each EGM.
  • Coordinate the running of the UPPDA.
  • Act as official representative of the UPPDA to the University and external (outside the University) officials and parties.
  • Maintain the professional image of the UPPDA.
  • Serve as the official UPPDA contact for the Faculty Advisory Board.
  • Serve as the focal point for fundraising efforts
  • Authorize and verify all expenditures.
  • Prepare an annual budget to be submitted for University approval.
  • Represent the UPPDA by serving on the Senate Council.
  • Provide activity updates to the Executive Board and, when appropriate, OACD or other University bodies.

Vice President

  • Assume the duties and responsibilities of the President in their absence or at the President's request.
  • Ensure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion considerations are integrated into all Executive Board activities, strategic planning, and policy recommendations.
  • Lead the development and coordination of the Community Ambassador program to strengthen engagement across all University units and campuses.
  • Match Executive Board Chairs to relevant Senate committees based on their portfolios.
  • Appoint volunteer Postdoc Representatives for Senate committees not covered by an Executive Board member.
  • Collect monthly updates from all Senate representatives to keep the Executive Board informed of institutional policy shifts.
  • Typically serve on the Senate Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Discrimination Advocacy Committee.
  • Maintain and update the internal UPPDA Operations Manual, including the registry of certified volunteers and the list of academic units without representation.
  • Review and update the Operations Manual at least once per term and provide the President with the current version for the upcoming Shadowing Phase.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the Code of Professional Conduct and The Pitt Promise.
  • Brief all new Officers and Volunteers on these ethical standards during onboarding.
  • Review allegations of improper conduct and present recommendations for sanctions to the Executive Board.
  • Jointly manage UPPDA funds and budget allocations with the President.
  • Serve as the final certifying authority for the President's completion of term, ensuring digital assets and records are successfully transitioned.
  • Certify satisfactory service of UPPDA Volunteers, maintaining the official registry of certified volunteers.

Advocacy Chair

  • Participate on the National Postdoctoral Association Advocacy Committee
  • Work with the OACD on advocacy issues for postdocs at the local level
  • Conduct necessary background research and draft proposals for change to present to senior university administrators
  • Coordinate and schedule EB Meetings and EGMs.
  • Write and distribute the minutes of all Executive Board meetings and EGMs.
  • Assume the responsibilities of the President when the President is absent.
  • Recruit UPPDA members to fill senate committee seats

Career Development Chair

  • Coordinate all activities and events related to professional development (e.g. Data & Dine Symposium)
  • Organize postdoctoral career fairs
  • Identify, advertise and execute new career/ training opportunities for postdocs

Networking Chair

  • Maintain the Pitt Postdoctoral Network page on LinkedIn
  • Coordinate all events for Postdoctoral Appreciation Week
  • Coordinate Happy Hour social gathering per year
  • Coordinate all external/volunteer activities of the UPPDA
  • Work with the University Center for Teaching and Learning and local schools and colleges to promote teaching development initiatives for postdocs
  • Assume the responsibilities of the Communications Chair when the Communications chair is absent. The Networking Chair will have access to all email, website, and social media accounts.

Communications Chair

  • Advertise and notify the membership of upcoming EGMs.
  • Generate flyers, advertisements, and registration links for events
  • Keep an updated distribution list of Postdoctoral Professionals at the University
  • Ultimate responsibility for keeping the website, LinkedIn page, and Instagram account up to date
  • Field emails from the UPPDA account and forward them to the appropriate committee member or OACD official.

International Chair

  • Collaborate with the Office of International Service (OIS) and large ethnic student organizations on campus
  • Host seminars yearly for international postdocs
  • Maintain content for an International Page on the UPPDA Website, which would include resources specific to international postdocs
  • Serve (with committee members) as point of contact for international postdocs seeking information or assistance

 

Duties Common to All Positions

  • Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.
  • Present a report to the Membership detailing the actions of the UPPDA and Executive Board as required
  •  Provide content to the Communications Chair for regular website/social media updates
  • Promote engagement of UPPDA members, provide a pathway for University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Associates/Scholars, or Research Associates to serve as committee members
  • Serve on at least one senate committee of their choosing

As a whole, the Executive Board works towards planning the major events sponsored by the UPPDA, including:

  • Monthly P2P Events
  • Annual Data & Dine Symposium (May)
  • Fall Picnic (September)
  • Science 20XX Career Symposium (October)
  • Immigration Seminar (with OIS)
  • New activities!