According to the Statutes (Bylaws) of the Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute (B.A.B.I.) (Article 7: Associated members of the Institute and cooperating scientists), eligibility for membership, the appointment procedure and categories of membership have been defined and approved by the Board of Directors of B.A.B.I.
Benefits of membership
As a member of the Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute, the person becomes part of a community of professionals who work on the subjects of biodiversity inventory and taxonomy or educational programs and educational projects based on the knowledge of global biodiversity, functioning and distribution of organisms, global biodiversity crisis, climate change or destructive human impact on the environment.
The membership is about solidarity and noble goals. The decline in global biodiversity and climate change threaten to strongly affect the socio-economic potential for development in the near future. Therefore, there is urgent need for international collaborative effort to deal with the problem. The membership can help individuals and research or educational groups to communicate and cooperate with the purpose of promoting and exchanging new academic, research or educational ideas and developments for achieving mutually beneficial and globally important goals.
Members are also in a position to get consultations within the scope of the Institute’s competences, particularly regarding biodiversity research and education or links with American countries. As part of the membership, members may expect some intellectual support (in future, probably also some financial support).
The Institute is much concerned about the shortage of competent researchers in the field of biodiversity and social education. We care about future careers of researchers new to taxonomy. Therefore, we hope that the Institute will positively impact the younger generation: students and new researchers (including PhD students).
The fact of having been appointed by an international board implies certain international recognition; for many, being a member of the Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute is not only an additional line in their C.V. but also an honorable position.
For members approved by July 1, 2017, the membership is free (no dues) in any approved category for an unlimited period of time.
Associate member
Associate membership is open to professional or non-professional individuals, including professional or amateur researchers, professors, educators, students, public figures, businessmen, politicians and enthusiasts who support the objectives of the Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute and who are interested in biodiversity subjects and/or strengthening ties between the Baltic States and the United States as well as other American countries through scientific research or educational programs.
An associate member may send a request to upgrade (advance) the membership to another, higher category of appointed or distinguished membership.
Appointed member
Appointed membership is open to:
1) professional individuals engaged in scientific research or education and meeting the following criteria: a) annually providing information about the conducted or undergoing projects and published papers on a subject of biodiversity inventory and taxonomy or educational programs and educational projects based on the knowledge of global biodiversity, functioning and distribution of organisms, global biodiversity crisis, climate change or destructive human impact on the environment; b) supporting the mission and objectives of B.A.B.I;
2) individuals who meet the following criteria: a) being able to contribute to the implementation of the mission and objectives of the Institute intellectually, financially or in some other ways; b) supporting the mission and objectives of B.A.B.I.
An appointed member may send a request to upgrade (advance) the membership to other, higher category of distinguished membership.
Distinguished member
It is an honorary category. Distinguished membership is open only to highly qualified and internationally well-recognized researchers, educators and eminent business or political figures with distinguished achievements as an outcome of their long-lasting engagement in the implementation of objectives declared by B.A.B.I. and who meet one of the following criteria:
1) organizing or conducting research focused on the inventory of Neotropical and Nearctic biotas, global biodiversity, ecology and geographical distribution of organisms as well as being able to annually provide information about the conducted or undergoing projects and published papers for public awareness;
2) promoting ties between the Baltic States and the United States or other American countries by initiating, organizing and implementing various international educational programs and projects based on the knowledge of global biodiversity, functioning and distribution of organisms as well as being able to provide information about the conducted or undergoing projects for public awareness;
3) possessing distinguished achievements in strengthening business, political and related ties between the Baltic States and the United States as well as other American countries (i.e. not in the field of global biodiversity and related issues).
Eligibility for membership
- Individuals from the Baltic States or any other European country, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile or a Caribbean country are encouraged to apply for the membership at the Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute. Citizens of other countries are also eligible for membership at the Institute.
- Only individuals who have at least a baccalaureate degree in biology, ecology, geography, climatology, chemistry, physics, engineering, education (educology), management and related disciplines are eligible for membership. Experience can substitute education on the basis of two years of qualifying experience for one year of undergraduate education.
- Prior to the application, it is strongly recommended (though not mandatory) that candidates register with the international portal “ResearchGate” (www.researchgate.net) or at least with the world‘s professional network “LinkedIn” (www.linkedin.com).
Procedures for application submission
Membership applications may be submitted online at any time. It is recommended to have all necessary documents ready before submitting online the Official Membership Application. During the submission, the candidate will be asked to provide some personal data (name, date of birth, country of citizenship, country of legal permanent residence and contact data), summary of research and/or educational activities (approx. 1000–3000 characters), summary of achievements (approx. 300–1000 characters), and employer information (for employed or formerly employed persons). In addition, the following two documents must be prepared in advance and submitted together with the Official Membership Application:
1) A personal bibliography (a list of selected publications available for verification online) (in PDF), or, for candidates who cannot provide personal bibliography, a recommendation letter from an internationally known researcher or educator with his or her original signature and data for direct contact (in PDF).
2) Passport-sized photo (in JPG).
Note: Prior to the application, it is strongly recommended (though not mandatory) that candidates register with the international portal “ResearchGate” (www.researchgate.net) or at least with the world‘s professional network “LinkedIn” (www.linkedin.com).
If the application is submitted by June 2017, no payment is required for an unlimited period of the appointed category of membership.
Application Form
Procedures for approval and notification of candidates
All candidates for any category of membership will be considered and approved by the Board of Directors exclusively by a voting procedure. Received applications for membership will be reviewed, and the Chief Executive Officer, on behalf of the Executive Director, will quarterly provide an annotated list of eligible candidates, along with supporting material, to the Board of Directors for a voting procedure. After voting by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will notify candidates of their approval (election) or deferral within 10 days after receiving the voting results. If not approved, unsuccessful candidates may re-submit an updated application for reconsidering approval over the next appointment cycle. Questions regarding the membership or procedures for membership application may also be sent to the Executive Director (e-mail:
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).
Change of membership category to a higher rank
In order to upgrade membership to other, higher category, members should send a request to the Executive Director (e-mail:
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). A complete set of the membership upgrade must include the following documents:
1) An e-mail with a request to change membership category.
2) An updated and signed curriculum vitae including newly obtained qualifications for the required membership category, research or educational activities, a special role within the member’s department or services to B.A.B.I. (in PDF).
Procedures for category change (advancement)
Received applications for membership upgrade will be reviewed, and the Executive Director will quarterly provide an annotated list of eligible candidates, along with the supporting material, to the Board of Directors for a voting procedure. Within 10 days after receiving the voting results, the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director will notify candidates of their approval (election) to the upgraded (advanced) category or deferral. If not approved, unsuccessful candidates may re-submit an updated application for a reconsideration approval over the next appointment cycle. Questions regarding the procedures for category change may also be sent to the Executive Director (e-mail:
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).
The Directors withhold the right to suggest members (at their own discretion, regardless of whether they receive the member’s request) for an upgraded membership (advancement). However, prior to the appointment procedure, the proposed change of the membership category should be discussed with the member and may be approved only by a voting procedure by the Board of Directors.
Self-nominations are not accepted. Members who do not longer meet the requirements for the membership category may lose the membership or the membership category may be downgraded in line with the decision of the Board of Directors. The membership may be temporarily terminated or cancelled if the member’s activities inflict harm to the Institute (including but not limited to harm its reputation) or contradict with the principles of the Institute (or respectful communication, polite behavior and common sense).
Honorary member
This prestigious nomination is awarded to persons with exceptional services to B.A.B.I. itself (or its mission). Honorary memberships shall be considered as purely honorary and requiring no direct involvement.
