RED LATINOAMERICANA DE BOTANICA

Organization of the RLB - 2005

Concerning its basic structure and scope of activities, RLB has always been an integrated network with a high degree of South-South connections[1]. One of the critical aspects of developing an integrated network such as RLB, that was resolved in the early stages of organization, was reaching an agreement as to how to distribute the coordination of activities and the administrative duties[2]. In this sense, the presidents and committee members are selected for fixed terms and the responsibilities are shared. It is important to emphasize that the organizational structure of the RLB is dynamic and includes the participation of many people from diverse countries. In every situation where an opinion is required, all committee members are consulted. Furthermore, the Executive Committee and the Scientific Committee meet once a year and every two years in a Latin American country to discuss policy and budgetary matters, to program major graduate courses and symposia, and to review applications for financial support.

An Executive Committee governs the RLB. Presently, consists of a President, a Vicepresident, four Regional Coordinators (Mexico, Central American and the Caribbean, South American Andean Countries, and the South American Southern Cone), two of the Institutional Representatives, and the Executive Director. In addition, the RLB operates with a Scientific Committee, composed of the Executive Committee (except for the Executive Director) plus the Institutional Representatives of some of the collaborative Latin American training RLB centers.

An External Advisory Committee assists the RLB. It includes Past Presidents, some distinguished scientists, the President of the Latin American Botanical Society (ALB), and the President of the Latin American Academy of Sciences (ACAL).

ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT

The financial resources provided by private foundations are administrated through the nonprofit Chilean organization “Corporación para el Desarrollo de las Ciencias Vegetales en América Latina”, R.U.T. 71.794.600-6, created on March 21^st, 1991. 

The objective of the Corporation is to contribute to the development of plant sciences in Latin America. The Corporation does not pursue or propose any profit-oriented objectives. It consists of scientists, most of which are also part of the RLB. The Corporation’s board of directors consists of a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. No remuneration is received by any member of the Corporation for the accomplishment of his o her duties.

RLB administrative staff is comprised of only two people, an executive director and an assistant, whom are hired by the Corporation to serve these positions. However, distinguished Latin American scientists serve all the other functions within RLB’s Executive and Scientific Committees without receiving any payment.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE