System Dynamics Society Inc
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
International System Dynamics Conference (ISDC)
The International System Dynamics Conference (ISDC) is an annual event that unites global minds with a shared passion for System Dynamics and systems thinking. The ISDC stands as a beacon for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, attracting a diverse audience from business, academia, philanthropy, and more who are tackling complex problems and some of the top global challenges of our time, such as climate change, equity, and population health.
Our conference is a comprehensive platform where newcomers gain valuable insights, seasoned practitioners stay abreast with the latest trends, and every participant enjoys unrivaled networking opportunities.
Seminar Series
Our seminars cover a wide range of topics including modeling, decision-making, sustainability, and public policy, and are designed to be accessible to both beginners and experienced audiences. The Seminar Series provides a valuable forum for learning, sharing, and collaborating on the application of System Dynamics to real-world challenges.
Mentoring Program
At the System Dynamics Society, we understand the vital role of mentorship in shaping the future of our field. That’s why we offer four different options to support individuals looking to learn and apply systems thinking and System Dynamics skills. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your expertise, our mentorship programs provide tailored guidance and support to help you achieve your goals.
Peer Mentoring
One-on-one mentorship
Short-term modeling assistance
Publishing assistance
Learning Program
We provide several learning opportunities to our community, including Summer School training in System Dynamics (introductory and intermediate levels) and Jay W. Forrester Seminar Series courses about System Dynamics modeling.
Scholarship Program
We provide scholarships to Conference Attendees, Summer School participants, and membership seekers with financial need.
We have a review process for Conference Scholarships and Summer School scholarships that takes into account the quality of their submission to the conference, motivational statement, likelihood to be able to contribute to the field, in addition to the attendee's financial need.
Where we work
External reviews
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
System Dynamics Society Inc
Board of directorsas of 10/12/2023
Bradley Morrison
Brandeis International Business School
Term: 2023 - 2023
David Ross Keith
MIT Sloan School of Management
Robert Eberlein
isee systems inc
Diana Fisher
Portland State University
Shayne Gary
University of New South Wales
Sara Metcalf
University of Buffalo
Hyunjung Kim
California State University
Sara Metcalf
University at Buffalo
J. Bradley Morrison
Brandeis International Business School
Asmeret Naugle
Sandia National Laboratories
Eliot Rich
University at Albany
Krystyna Stave
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Birgit Kopainsky
University of Bergen
Paul Newton
Boeing
Raafat Zaini
James Madison University
Lees Stuntz
Creative Learning Exchange
Thomas Wittig
Wittigonia
Allyson Beall King
Washington State University
Peter Hovmand
Case Western Reserve University
Saras Chung
SKIP Designed
Timothy Clancy
Dialectic Simulations Consulting
Jenson Goh
Coddiwompling
Juan Pablo Torres
Universidad de Chile
Kawika Pierson
Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management
Jennifer Johnson
Martin Kunc
Southampton Business School
Camilo Olaya
Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
Jeroen Struben
MIT Sloan School of Management
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 10/12/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.