Chair and preside over any Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs).
Chair and preside over Executive Board meetings and Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) meetings.
Present a report to the Membership at each EGM.
Coordinate the running of the UPPDA.
Act as official representative of the UPPDA to the University and external (outside the University) officials and parties.
Maintain the professional image of the UPPDA.
Serve as the official UPPDA contact for the Faculty Advisory Board.
Serve as the focal point for fundraising efforts
Authorize and verify all expenditures.
Prepare an annual budget to be submitted for University approval.
Represent the UPPDA by serving on the Senate Council.
Provide activity updates to the Executive Board and, when appropriate, OACD or other University bodies.
Advocacy Chair
Participate on the National Postdoctoral Association Advocacy Committee
Work with the OACD on advocacy issues for postdocs at the local level
Conduct necessary background research and draft proposals for change to present to senior university administrators
Coordinate and schedule EB Meetings and EGMs.
Write and distribute the minutes of all Executive Board meetings and EGMs.
Assume the responsibilities of the President when the President is absent.
Recruit UPPDA members to fill senate committee seats
Career Development Chair
Coordinate all activities and events related to professional development (e.g. Data & Dine Symposium)
Organize postdoctoral career fairs
Identify, advertise and execute new career/ training opportunities for postdocs
Networking Chair
Maintain the Pitt Postdoctoral Network page on LinkedIn
Coordinate all events for Postdoctoral Appreciation Week
Coordinate Happy Hour social gathering per year
Coordinate all external/volunteer activities of the UPPDA
Work with the University Center for Teaching and Learning and local schools and colleges to promote teaching development initiatives for postdocs
Assume the responsibilities of the Communications Chair when the Communications chair is absent. The Networking Chair will have access to all email, website, and social media accounts.
Communications Chair
Advertise and notify the Membership of upcoming EGMs.
Generate flyers, advertisements, and registration links for events
Keep an updated distribution list of Postdoctoral Professionals at the University
Ultimate responsibility for keeping the website, YouTube channel and Facebook page up to date
Field emails from the UPPDA account and forward them to the appropriate committee member or OACD official.
International Chair
Collaborate with the Office of International Service (OIS) and large ethnic student organizations on campus
Host seminars yearly for international postdocs
Maintain content for an International Page on the UPPDA Website, which would include resources specific to international postdocs
Serve (with committee members) as point of contact for international postdocs seeking information or assistance
Diversity and Inclusion Chair
Collaborate with the Office of Diversity
Host events related to diversity and inclusion
Maintain content for a Diversity and Inclusion page on the UPPDA Website, which would include resources specific to diversity and inclusion
Serve as chair (or co-chair) of UPPDA’s Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee and point of contact for all diversity and inclusion issues
Duties Common to All Positions
Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.
Present a report to the Membership detailing the actions of the UPPDA and Executive Board as required
Provide content to the Communications Chair for regular website/social media updates
Promote engagement of UPPDA members, provide a pathway for University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Associates/Scholars, or Research Associates to serve as committee members
Serve on at least one senate committee of their choosing
As a whole, the Executive Board works towards planning the major events sponsored by the UPPDA, including:
