| SWS SOUTH CENTRAL CHAPTER
Spring Business Meeting Minutes
July 4, 2011 – Prague, Czech Republic
Officers
Matt Stahman – President - Present
Carol Thompson – President Elect - Present
Julia Cherry – Past President - Present
Robbie Kröger – Treasurer - Present
Rebecca Howard – Secretary - Present
Board
Diane DeSteven – Not Present
Samuel Pierce – Not Present
Jayme Shiner – Not Present
Chuck Walker – Not Present
Call to Order
The 2011 Spring business meeting of the South Central Chapter was called to order by President Matt Stahman at 6:40 PM on 4 July 2011.
Quorum
A quorum was declared by Secretary Rebecca Howard, with a total of 14 Chapter members present. President Stahman welcomed all and thanked them for their attendance. Each member was asked to introduce themself to the group.
Past Meeting Minutes
Secretary Howard distributed copies of the minutes from the 2010 fall meeting in Oxford, Mississippi. A motion was made by Andy Nyman to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Robbie Kroger, and the minutes were approved by membership vote.
Treasurer Report
Treasurer Robbie Kroger reported that the Chapter assets as of 20 June 2011 were $14,615.71. Items highlighted from the report include:
- The Board approved a $500 grant for a wetland enhancement and education project to a community college in Harris County, Texas.
- The Chapter provided $2,000 to support the participation of an undergraduate student from an underrepresented group in biological sciences at the meeting in Prague.
- Travel funds expended for the Prague meeting consist of $1,200 for the student award winner from the 2010 fall Chapter meeting and $1,750 for the Chapter President.
- It was noted that the Chapter has the goal of retaining a minimum of $8,000 in the checking account.
Kroger noted that typical yearly expenditures range between $4,000 and $5,000. Anticipated revenue sources each year are membership dues and any proceeds gained from the fall Chapter meeting and occasional workshops organized by Chapter members.
Standing Committee Reports
- Membership. Secretary Howard reported that Chapter membership as of 1 June 2011 stands at 282. In 2010 there were 321 members. While it is unlikely that many new members will be recruited at this (i.e., Prague) meeting, some new members may join late this year.
- Program. Rebecca Howard reported that planning for the 2011 fall meeting is progressing. The meeting will be held 20 – 22 October 2011 at the USGS National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, LA. The agenda will include two workshops on Thursday 20 October. A plenary session with invited speakers is planned for Friday morning, 21 October, and the Chapter business meeting will follow the plenary. Field trips to local wildlife management areas will be conducted Friday afternoon, and a social event will be held that evening. The meeting will conclude with student presentations on Saturday morning, 22 October.
- Nominations. Past-President Julia Cherry announced that elections will be held in spring 2012 for the following positions: Secretary and two Board members. She asked people to think about nominations for these positions. Because we have moved to two-year terms for all offices, the President-elect position will not be open.
- Archives. Rebecca Howard reported that the Chapter archives continue to be maintained in Lafayette, LA.
- Bylaws and Standing Rules. President Stahman stated that there are no new issues to report.
- Special Issues. No report
Special Committee Reports
- Alabama Student Chapter: Josh Jones reported that Chapter has established a bank account with the $300 in start-up funds provided. They are currently developing a website.
- Louisiana State University Student Chapter: Andy Nyman reported that a meeting to highlight student research is being planned for this fall, but the date has not been set.
Old Business
- Student presentations. Two award winners from the 2010 fall meeting were in attendance at the Chapter business meeting. Rick Zarate from the University of North Texas, Denton, who received the first place award, will be presenting his work in a session on Thursday morning, 7 July. Alex Littlejohn, Mississippi State University, who received second place in the competition, will be presenting in a session on Tuesday morning 5 July.
- Undergraduate Mentoring Program. As noted by Treasurer Kroger, $2,000 was provided to support the participation of an undergraduate student from an underrepresented group in biological sciences at this meeting. Cynthia Wright, the student supported by the Chapter, was in attendance at the business meeting. Jeff Randall and Francisco Reyes, who also received undergraduate student travel awards, attended the Chapter meeting as well.
- 2011 Elections. Julia Cherry announced the following election results:
- President-elect – Robbie Kroger
- Treasurer – Jayme Shiner
- Board – Rani Menon & Chuck Walker
- Special 1-year appoint to Board to fill Jayme Shiner's term – Kevin Jannir
At the conclusion of Old Business, Matt Stahman assumed duties as Past-president. Carol Thompson moved into the President's position and conducted the remainder of the meeting.
New Business
- President Thompson reported that Lone Star Community College in Harris County, Texas will be using the $500 grant provided by the Chapter to construct a boardwalk in a bottomland hardwood forest. It was suggested that a sign be included along the boardwalk acknowledging the donation.
- Annual SWS Meeting. Matt Stahman noted that it was announced during the Old Board Meeting that the Society currently does not have a location for the annual meeting in 2013. The International Board asked if the Chapter would consider hosting this meeting, and suggested New Orleans as the location. Stahman reminded members of the offer we made last year to host the 2013 meeting, an offer that was rejected due to our proximity to the 2012 meeting location in Florida. The opportunity for discussion was opened.
Consensus was that New Orleans is not a desirable location for the meeting, since it was held there in both 1992 and 2003. Mobile, Alabama, Memphis, Tennessee, and Corpus Christi, Texas were suggested as possible locations. Summary of discussion:
- Mobile – pros: accessible convention space, interesting field trips. cons: no public transportation, low national and international recognition as destination of interest
- Memphis – pros: international recognition, international airport, interesting field trips cons: none pointed out
Conclusion – Memphis will be suggested as the meeting city if the International Board upholds the request that the Chapter host the 2013 meeting. Memphis will be suggested as a second option, and Corpus Christi as a third.
- SWS will have a new management company beginning this fall. AMP – Associated Management Partners, will be taking over from Burk and Associates.
Other Business
No additional business items for discussion were proposed by Chapter members.
President Thompson called for a motion to close the Business Meeting. A motion was made, seconded, and approved by membership vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM
Prepared by Rebecca Howard, Secretary
August 1, 2011
|
