Joining the Committee

Why join the AMS Committee on Hydrology?

By joining the AMS Committee on Hydrology, you get an unparalleled chance to directly influence the shape and communication of hydrologic science and operations in the US. As a Committee member, you will steer the annual AMS Conference on Hydrology, recommend awardees and new AMS Fellows, encourage students, represent AMS in matters concerning hydrology and vice-versa, and more (see complete terms of reference). You will gain exposure to all facets of hydrological and hydrometeorological science and practice, and to their scientists and practitioners. For early career hydrologists, this demonstrates to current and future employers a significant commitment to service; for established hydrologists it is a chance to give back to our community. For all hydrologists, it is a reflection of the esteem in which you are held by your colleagues.

How to apply:

If you are interested in joining the Committee, please submit a CV or Résumé that stresses your service commitment and a Letter of Intent that explains your area of expertise, your reasons for wishing to join the committee, what you think you'd bring to it (e.g., new ideas or directions for the Committee, etc.), and how you've contributed to the AMS in the past (e.g., by chairing sessions or presenting at the annual meeting, or involvement in local or student chapters, etc.). These materials must be compiled into one PDF and sent via this Google Form.

While applicants may be solicited by a current committee member, this is not necessary; applying without prior solicitation will not prejudice your application. While applications can be submitted at any time, we will only evaluate applications after two designated membership drives:

  1. August 1st through September 30th, with offers being sent to approved members by the end of October.
  2. February 15th through March 15th, with offers being sent to approved members by the end of April. (Note, this second drive may not be held if there is not a need to add members before the main drive in August).

Once a membership drive closes, the Committee on Hydrology will vote on accepting the number of members needed. A two-thirds majority is needed for an application to be approved.

Selection:

A full committee comprises 21 people, of whom two are student members. Selected members are typically appointed once per year, following the AMS Annual Meeting (January), and serve for three years—excepting the two student members, who each serve a two-year term. Membership can be renewed for an additional three years for a total of up to six years. Time as a student member does not count towards full membership status, meaning that one can serve for an absolute maximum of eight years.

Membership expectations:

During their tenure on the Committee, members are expected to:

  • Be an AMS member (including student member).
  • Attend and contribute to monthly Committee teleconferences (usually an hour).
  • Actively contribute to at least one sub-committee and/or volunteer position / position of responsibility (see below).
  • Regularly attend the annual AMS Annual Meeting (if at all possible; if not, the Committee provides for virtual access), where they will attend the Hydrology Committee meeting and chair or co-chair sessions and judge student presentations. Student members are encouraged to attend and participate in running the Annual Meeting, but this is not an expectation.
  • Assist with social media activities during the Annual Meeting.
  • Have well-considered opinions and express them respectfully.
  • Be courteous, fair, and open.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in all their forms.
  • Abide by the AMS Code of Conduct and the AMS Diversity Statement.

Selection criteria considered by the Committee include:

  • the applicant’s past involvement in AMS meetings, events, conferences or AMS journal editorial process;
  • the applicant’s involvement in the field of hydrology or hydrometeorology. For student members, this may mean participation in extracurricular activities related to their field of interest (e.g., student chapters or clubs), academic standing, membership of AMS local chapters, etc.);
  • how the applicant would contribute to the diversity of committee membership, in terms of areas of key expertise, sector of employment (e.g., government, industry, academia), career stage, geography, gender, and ethnicity; and
  • whether the applicant is an AMS member.

Subcommittees / positions of responsibility that members can volunteer for (as of 2020) include:

  • Chair and vice-chair
  • Conference on Hydrology (at the AMS Annual Meeting) program planning
  • Student subcommittee
  • Social media
  • Membership
  • Diversity representation
  • Horton Award selection committee chair (Hydrology Committee level)
  • Proposing new AMS Fellows
  • 5-year planning
  • Career-development contact
  • Glossary contact (liaison with AMS)
  • Webmaster (liaison with AMS)
  • Reichelderfer Award selection committee representation (AMS level)

(note: the AMS does not permit student members on award-selection committees)