SWS SOUTH CENTRAL CHAPTER
Fall Business Meeting Minutes
October 17, 2003 - Lake Texoma, OK

The Business Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists South Central Chapter was called to order at 11:20 am by Dr. Paul Dubowy, President. Dr. Dubowy welcomed all attendees.

Dr. Dubowy thanked and introduced all past and present board members for recognition by chapter. Dubowy also thanked Matt Stahman for stepping in as Interim Secretary due to Shannon Holbrook's recent move to California and Interim Treasurer due to Rebecca Howard's promotion to SWS International Sectretary/Treasurer. Dubowy thanked Robert Nairn for all his hard work on putting on this year's workshops and conference at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station. Dubowy recognized guests and visitors to this year's meeting and then proceeded with the meeting business.

Quorum: Dubowy asked for a determination of a quorum, which was declared by Secretary/Treasurer Matt Stahman. A total of 24 members was present; meeting business commenced.
Guests and Visitors: DuBowy requested recognition of new members at this year's meeting. A total of nine new members attended the meeting, including six students. Four of these students were from the University of Oklahoma.

Minutes: A copy of the minutes from the June 2003 Chapter meeting in New Orleans, LA was distributed by Stahman to meeting attendees for review. A motion was made to accept the minutes, and the motion passed. DuBowy transferred duties of Secretary/Treasurer to Stahman until Spring elections in 2003.

Treasurer Report: The fall financial report was distributed to attendees by Stahman (Attachment A). The report summarized deposits and withdrawals to the Chapter account that have occurred since October 2002. Total chapter assets as of October 1, 2003 were $8,146.65, which included $2,000 from a CD that matured in April 2003. Funds from the CD were redeposited into the general checking account.

Standing Committees:

1. Membership - Stahman reported that 2003 membership from Burk and Associates was reported at 495, up from 435 in 2002, making the South Central Chapter fourth largest in the Society. In addition, a total of 9 new members - 3 regular and 6 student - were recruited through this meeting. Overall, the Society has decreased in size from 4,278 in 2002 to 3,803 in 2003, a decrease of 11%.

2. Program - Scott Jecker talked about the location of next year's meeting. He suggested we continue holding the meeting in new areas to see new sites and potentially recruit new members. He suggested holding the meeting in Pensacola Beach, Florida with Darrin Dantin as the meeting coordinator. Darrin suggested inviting the South Atlantic Chapter and the Gulf Estuarine Research Society (GERS) to join the meeting. A motion was made to hold the 2004 chapter meeting at Pensacola Beach, Florida and the motion passed.

3. Nominations - Ron Boustany stood in for Marge Holland. Ron announced that there will be a new election in the spring for President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer and two board members. Ron asked that people begin to consider nominations for these offices. The election will be by internet voting only. Ron announced that the official nominations would be released in the SWS Bulletin.

4. Affiliations/Special Issues - No chairs exist for these committees. Sam Faulkner had previously agreed to continue to chair these committees, but was not present and DuBowy will follow up with this issue.

5. Archives - Chair Ron Boustany reminded members that the archives are maintained in a file box at the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, LA. The archives document past meetings, national board meetings, registration forms, etc. The archives were started around 1999, and Matt invited anyone to look through the files and add any information they feel is necessary.

6. Bylaws & Standing Rules - Chair Ron Boustany informed the chapter that the Executive Board met at this fall's Board Meeting and approved a proposed revision of Standing Rules Section 8, 'Dues and Fees' to reflect current Society protocol for collection of Chapter dues. Stahman passed out copies of the Bylaws and revised Standing Rules to the chapter membership. Stahman updated these copies to clean up a few typos and reflect all approved revisions to-date, including a new Standing Rule on contributions to outside organizations passed at the Spring Board meeting.

7. Issues Committee - No chair exists for this committee.

8. Special Committees -
a. Lisa Gandy, chair of the SWS 2003 New Orleans planning committee, provided a synopsis of the meeting an update of the meeting's financial success. This was the largest SWS Annual Meeting ever, with 799 attendees. Over ¼ of the attendance, 213 people, was made up of students. The Sponsorship Committee (Chaired by Jeff Raasch), raised $61,650 and are still collecting contributions. The meeting had the most exhibitors ever (24). The book exhibit alone raised $1,500. Initially, 21 field trips were offered, with 5 cancelled due to lack of interest. The remaining 16 field trips were nearly sold out and very successful. Lisa recognized Patti Raferty for her help in coordinating all the outstanding social events. The Silent Auction raised $5,200 to contribute to the Student Grants Program. SWS supported travel to the meeting for four international scientists and 24 student presenters. Twenty five children participated in the Children's Wetland Program. Lisa is still balancing the budget from the meeting, but it looks like there will be about $40,000 profit, of which the Chapter keeps 25%. Overall, the meeting was a shining success.
b. Darrin Dantin, chair of the Chapter website, was unable to attend the meeting. DuBowy asked that members check out the Chapter website and let Darrin know if there are any problems or other items they would like to see.

Old Business
Fall Meeting - Bob Nairn provided a recap of 2003 Fall meeting. There were 16 attendees at the Stream Characterization Workshop. Overall, 33 people registered for the meeting. Even though attendence was down, presumably due to high turnout at the Spring meeting, Bob was sure the Chapter would come out in the black for this meeting's expenses. Overall, the venue was very affordable and cost effective.

New Business
Dr. DuBowy informed the membership that the chapter made a $500 donation to the LSU Carrie Yoder Memorial Scholarship in memory of the young student member who had worked so hard to further understanding of wetland science. He noted that he received a thank you letter from Carrie's parents.

The meeting was adjourned by DuBowy at 11:50 am.

Prepared By:
Matt Stahman, Secretary/Treasurer