Governance

While the Council is the decision-making body of the Society, items needing investigation, discussion and a range of possible recommendations for decision are usually handled by committees. According to the Bylaws, standing committees of the Society are the Financial Advisory and Audit Committee, the Committee on Management, the Nominating Committee for Officers and Council, and the Nominating Committee for Fellows. There are also committees on the Roebling Medal, MSA Award, Kraus Research Grant, Mineralogy/Petrology Student Research Grant, Public Service Award, Dana Medal, Lecture Program, Publications, Meetings, Short Courses, Benefactor, Arts Council, and Outreach.

All members of the Society are eligible to serve on a committee. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Business Office or the Chair of the Committee on Committees. The name of each committee chair is available on the MSA website should a member wish to bring an item up for consideration by the committee. Generally, committees that nominate individuals for awards, fellowship, or office report to the Council at the Third meeting in the Fall. Other committees regularly make reports at any or all of the Council meetings.

The MSA Annual Business Meeting with the members, as well as award and social functions of the Society, are held in conjunction with the Fall Geological Society of America meeting.

Each MSA publication or program is headed by a volunteer member Editor, Coordinator, or Administrator. Offices, committees, and editorial boards are also occupied by member volunteers. There is full-time staff at the headquarters office in Washington, DC. The Editorial Office of the American Mineralogist has 2 full-time staff members. The Society Business Office has a full-time staff of 3 and part-time staff that changes in size depending on the seasonal workload.