Overview

ASM Board of Directors

The ASM Board of Directors, supported by the Committees of the Board, provides strategic direction to our Society. It is responsible for the organizational, business, legal, financial and governance matters of our organization. The Board of Directors is chaired by the president. Annual elections to the board begin in the late summer each year with a call for nominations from ASM membership.

Serving on the ASM Board is an honor and a privilege, one that carries with it the responsibility to serve the interests of ASM, its members and stakeholders and to accomplish its mission. Board directors should conduct themselves and perform their duties in an exemplary fashion, commensurate with the position of leadership in which they serve. All board members are expected to abide by key legal duties, as defined in the D.C. Code of Law—the duties of care, loyalty and obedience. Directors have basic responsibilities that derive from these duties, which include the following:

• To support the mission and purpose of ASM and to abide by its policies.
• To be diligent in attending, preparing for and participating in board meetings and related activities on behalf of ASM.
• To ensure that the financial affairs of ASM are, to the best of the board member's knowledge, managed responsibly and prudently.
• To always act in good faith and in the best interests of ASM and not in the interest of a specific constituency, interest group or individual.
• To maintain the confidentiality of sensitive, privileged or proprietary information obtained because of board service.

ASM's Council on Microbial Sciences

ASM’s Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS) is a key connection between ASM’s members and ASM’s leaders—and the place where members can get involved with their society. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the CEO and staff, COMS keeps a finger on the pulse of new developments in microbial sciences and helps develop innovative ways to move the field and ASM forward.

COMS members are organized into 8 broad communities. Each community conducts retreats on a 4-year cycle, helping set scientific priorities and ensure effective programs and activities by identifying opportunities in the microbial sciences. Nominations closed on Sept. 14, 2023, for COMS At-Large Councilors and will open again next year.

ASM Program Committees

By serving on a committee, ASM members are uniquely positioned to contribute to the mission of promoting and advancing the microbial sciences, harnessing their science to serve humanity and solve the most pressing global and public health challenges. ASM has 9 Program Committees, covering a variety of roles in the organization. Calls for ASM committee applications open every year in the winter, and appointments are made in the spring.

We highly encourage a large and diverse pool of applicants interested and willing to serve in volunteer leadership positions. Information on each role can be viewed on the volunteer page.