Board of Directors

The Executive Board is the governing body of the German Ornithological Society. It is responsible for directing and further developing the association and is supported in an advisory capacity by the Advisory Board in all important matters. The members of the Executive Board are elected directly by the General Assembly, allowing all members to influence the composition and work of the Executive Board. The Executive Board consists of the President, First and Second Vice President, Secretary General, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer.

Members

President Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers

dorit.visbeck-liebers@do-g.de Fokus

Population genetics and phylogeography, museum ornithology, science communication

Curator of Ornithology, German Maritime Museum

President of the DOG since 2025

1st Vice President Prof. Dr. Heiko Schmaljohann

heiko.schmaljohann@do-g.de

Go to website Fokus

Bird migration research

Head of the Migration Ecology working group

1st Vice President of the DOG since 2022

2nd Vice President Dr. Sylke Frahnert

sylke.frahnert@mfn.berlin

Go to website Fokus

Morphology, evolution and systematics of birds, type catalogs, historical collections, history of the DOG

Scientific director of the bird collection at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

2nd Vice President of the DOG since 2025
Spokesperson, Ornithological Collections Working Group

Secretary General PD Dr. Swen Renner

swen.renner@do-g.de

Go to website Fokus

Ornithology, Natural History Museum Vienna

Secretary General since 2021 and until 31/12/2026

Treasurer Dr. Volker Blüml

schatzmeister@do-g.de Fokus

Monitoring, birds in landscape planning

Managing Director of the planning office BMS-Umweltplanung in Osnabrück

Treasurer of the DOG since 2014

Secretary Dr. Nina Seifert

nina.seifert@do-g.de

Go to website Fokus

Nature conservation, waterfowl, peatlands, land use

Coordinator of the National Natural Heritage and Sustainable Land Use working group at the Michael Succow Foundation. Land management and peatland restoration projects

Secretary of the DOG since

FAQs about the Board of Directors

How does one become a member of the board?

Members of the Executive Board are elected by the general assembly in a secret ballot by a simple majority of votes. Any member of the DOG may be nominated, provided the candidacy is confirmed in writing.

When must election nominations be submitted?

Nominations for election as board members must be submitted to the Secretary General no later than six weeks before the General Assembly.

How long does membership on the board last?

The term of office of the President and the two Vice Presidents is three years; that of the other members of the Executive Board is two years. Immediate re-election is permitted.

How can members submit proposals to the board?

Requests from the membership to the Board must be submitted in writing. This ensures that they can be properly handled and included in the Board’s deliberations.

How often does the board meet?

The board usually meets twice a year: for a spring meeting and for an autumn meeting immediately before the annual conference. If needed, additional digital meetings take place in the intervals.

What role does the office play?

The board may establish an office to support its work. The staff of the office act on behalf of the board and are bound by its instructions. They support the organizational and administrative implementation of the association’s activities.

What is the Extended Board?

The Executive Board may convene the Extended Executive Board to advise on specific matters. It includes the honorary president, the editors of the journals, the spokespersons of the advisory board, and the spokespersons of the committees. The Extended Executive Board supports the work of the Executive Board through its experience and professional expertise.