Volunteer on a BELS Committee

Submit a volunteer interest form

Budget and Finance

Committee Chair: Christine Wogan, MS, ELS

This committee assists the treasurer with reviewing BELS fiscal records and assessing the organization’s financial standing. The committee makes policy recommendations for key activities, such as managing reserves and investments and budgetary planning. The committee may be asked for input regarding new initiatives related to increasing revenue or financial planning for key expenditures.

Membership and Communications

Committee Chair: Carrie Thurber, ELS

This committee provides key input on member resources and benefits, including such communications as the forums (web-based/e-mail discussion lists), social media, and the website. The committee may be asked to conduct research on potential new resources (e.g., virtual meetings or webinar-style presentations) and to make suggestions on ways to address member needs in all segments (e.g., new members/younger members vs. long-time members). Opportunities also are available related to The BELS Letter via the Managing Editor (e.g., developing or soliciting content, proofreading).

Marketing and Promotions

Committee Chair: Kim Mankiewicz, PhD, ELS

This committee assists in the marketing and promotion of BELS products and services (e.g., job listings, freelance directory, certification exam, diplomate program). The committee may be asked to conduct research to help identify and differentiate key audiences for BELS, such as, prospective applicants for certification, employers of editors in the life sciences, and educators in our profession. Creative assistance with new marketing and promotional campaigns for internal and external audiences is another important aspect of the committee’s work. In addition to serving in these roles, members of this committee help recruit fellow BELS members to answer questions and hand out materials at its booth during major conferences, such as those of AMWA and CSE. 

Professional Development

Committee Chairs: Stephen Bublitz, ELS and Yateendra Joshi, ELS(D)

The purpose of this committee is to create a community and networks for knowledge sharing between editors and facilitate continuing education opportunities to further members’ professional growth.

Certification-Related Committees

Certification Exam Development

Committee Chair: Naomi Ruff, PhD, ELS

This committee has two main responsibilities: writing new examination questions (“items”) and reviewing items and exam composition. Certification or test-development experience (especially item writing) is preferred but not required. The committee works to maintain a bank of new questions for future exams, reviews the performance of items on current or recent exams, and makes recommendations for changes in or updates of BELS exams.

Diplomate Program

Committee Chair: Jane Krauhs, PhD, ELS(D)

This committee consists of members who have achieved diplomate status. It regularly reviews the diplomate program and assists in developing a plan to market its value to qualified candidates. Committee size is limited, and appointment to the committee is subject to approval by the committee chair and the president of BELS.

Exam Administration

Committee Chair: Leslie E. Neistadt, ELS

Each BELS examination requires volunteer proctors onsite to check candidates in, hand out and collect exam booklets, monitor time, and maintain security standards as part of examination process. Members of this committee help recruit fellow BELS members as proctors to ensure coverage for upcoming examinations, develop or update relevant training and resource materials for proctors, and work with staff as needed to plan or implement logistics.

Certification Maintenance

Committee Chair: Thomas Gegeny, MS, ELS

This committee oversees the process for maintaining BELS certification including certification requirements and approval of continuing education resources.

Submit a volunteer interest form