SWS South Central Chapter
Spring Business Meeting Minutes
June 4, 2002 – Lake Placid, NY

The Business Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists South Central Chapter was called to order at 1700 by Ron Boustany, President, with 29 members present. Boustany welcomed all and asked for brief introductions by all attendees. Boustany provided a brief overview of Chapter activities over the past year. A quorum was declared by Secretary/Treasurer, Rebecca Howard, and the meeting commenced.

Minutes: A copy of the minutes from the October 2001 Chapter meeting in Cleveland, MS, was distributed by Howard to meeting attendees for review. A motion was made to accept the minutes, and the motion was passed.

Treasurer Report: The spring financial report was distributed to attendees by Howard (Attachment A). The report summarizes deposits and withdrawals to the Chapter account that have occurred since the 2001 Annual Financial Report, which was submitted October 1, 2001. Total Chapter assets as of June 1, 2002 were $7,901.68, which includes $2,000 in a CD opened in April 2001. The CD has a two-year term at a fixed interest rate of 4.88%.

Standing Committees:

1. Membership -- Howard reported that membership numbers in South Central Chapter is presently uncertain because of delays in service resulting from the change in the Society business office from Allen Marketing to Burk & Associates. The official roster lists 430 members, but Chapter membership for the past few years has averaged 460 - 480 people. Once the records are updated with late renewals, is expected that we will maintain this average membership level. A total of 26 new members were recruited through the workshops associated with the Fall 2001 meeting in Cleveland, MS.

2. Program -- Andy Nyman announced that the Fall 2002 Chapter meeting will be held in Baton Rouge, LA from October 8-13. There will be two workshops offered in addition to the business meeting and student presentations. A third workshop is being organized by Paul Dubowy, and will be available to local high school teachers to help them instruct students in preparing presentations for the SWS 2003 meeting in New Orleans. Details on the Fall meeting will be posted on the Chapter website as they are finalized. Nyman noted that a Chapter-wide mailing with the registration form will be forthcoming in late summer.

3. Nominations -- Past-President Mark Ford, Chair, announced that about 50 people voted in the spring election. Ford asked that people begin to consider nominations for President-elect, two Board members, and Secretary/Treasurer, positions that will be open next year for the spring election. In a related issue, present Secretary/Treasurer Rebecca Howard noted that she will be installed as Treasurer-Elect of the International Society at the business meeting on Thursday. She offered to serve out the one year remaining in her term as Treasurer, but asked for a volunteer to serve as Chapter Secretary until next year’s regular elections.

4. Affiliations / Special Issues -- No chairs exist for these committees. The membership has agreed to let these committees remain chairless until a need arises to make them functional.

5. Bylaws – An issue was proposed at the Fall 2001 meeting that the Chapter webmaster be moved from special committee to standing committee status. This issue was due for a vote by the membership. After much discussion, a proposal was made to cancel the vote and to make the webmaster a President-appointed Board position. The proposal was passed, and a vote on this issue will be made at the Fall 2002 meeting in Baton Rouge. Darrin Dantin was appointed by President Boustany to temporarily fill this position until the vote is accomplished.

6. Archives -- Chair Ron Boustany reminded members that the archives are being maintained in a file box housed at the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, LA. Anyone wishing to send materials for the archives is welcomed to do so.

7. Special Committees:

SWS 2003. Lisa Gandy, Chair of the SWS 2003 planning committee, provided a brief summary of planning progress. The meeting will be held June 8-13, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Poydras St. in downtown New Orleans. The theme for the meeting is: ‘Wetland Stewardship: Changing Landscapes and Interdisciplinary Challenges. A very attractive meeting logo was designed by Diane Baker and can be used for any advertising material. A major emphasis must now be obtaining sponsorship funds. The sponsorship committee must raise an estimated $50,000 to $75,000 over the next several months to effectively conduct business. All committee chairs and committee members are posted on the website, and plenty of opportunities for involvement remain for any new volunteers. Gandy noted that a working meeting is scheduled for 1730 tomorrow, and invited all interested members to attend.

Chapter Website. Chair Darrin Dantin solicited feedback and comments for website listings. The site includes a link to a section dealing with the SWS 2003 meeting. Carol Thompson, Chair of the SWS 2003 publicity committee, also requesting feedback on the 2003 meeting link.

Old Business
1. Fall Meeting – Details of the 2002 meeting in Baton Rouge have already been covered by Andy Nyman. A brief discussion of future meeting locations followed. Boustany noted that discussion at the Board meeting on the previous evening had but forward the idea of holding a joint meeting with the South Atlantic Chapter in Florida or with the Central Chapter in Oklahoma. Paul Dubowy volunteered to gather more information to present to the membership at the Fall 2002 meeting.

New Business
Installation of New Officers:

Boustany announced the following results of the Chapter spring elections.

President-elect: Paul Dubowy

Board Members: Andy Nyman

Meghan La Peyre

Boustany expressed thanks on behalf of the Chapter to outgoing Past-president Mark Ford and Board member Lisa Gandy. Boustany assumed the duties of Past-president and turned the meeting over to current President Marge Holland

Marge Holland stated that she is honored to serve as Chapter President. She noted that participation of members is vital to the continuing health of the Chapter, and specifically encouraged participation in planning and conducting the 2003 International Meeting in New Orleans.

The meeting was adjourned by Holland at 1815.

Minutes submitted by:
Rebecca Howard, Secretary/Treasurer.

Attachment A
Society of Wetland Scientists - South Central Chapter
Spring Financial Report

June 4, 2002

June 1, 2002

Account Balance $5,901.68

Certificate of Deposit $2,000.00

Total Assets $7,901.68

Activity since last Annual Report (October 1, 2002):

Expenses for Fall 2001 Meeting: $3,622.25

Chapter net from Fall 2001 Meeting: $1,172.75

Fall 2001 Meeting New Member Recruitment: 26 [15 student, 11 regular]

Chapter Membership: ? (lag in record updates due to change of Business Office )

Prepared By:
Rebecca Howard, Secretary/Treasurer