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DECISIONS, TRANSITIONS, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SCB

SCB's Board of Governors met in Orlando, Florida, USA from 19-21 March to discuss key issues regarding SCB's core work of publications, annual meetings, and membership; to review achievements of international Sections; to initiate the next three-year strategic planning process (2005-2008); and to address continued enhancement of international conservation capacity. We thank Reed Noss and University of Central Florida for hosting an energetic group of 31 Board members and The Christensen Fund, whose generous support [see SCB Newsletter 11(1)] made it possible for representatives of all Sections--from Italy, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, United States, and Venezuela--to attend.

Publications. Building on the momentum of SCB's recent affiliation with Pacific Conservation Biology [see SCB Newsletter 11(1)], the Board will explore opportunities to forge links with other regional and international conservation publications. A motion was approved to support bundling of Conservation In Practice with Conservation Biology for institutional subscribers--in effect, ensuring that all libraries with subscriptions to Conservation Biology also receive Conservation In Practice. Under the leadership of Autumn-Lynn Harrison, the Executive Office produced SCB's first annual report.

Meetings. The Board agreed to hold annual meetings outside North America every other year from 2005 through 2009. Meeting location will be determined by responses to requests for proposals from Asia, Africa, and Australasia for 2007 and 2009. Europe, North America, and South America may partner with other Sections to co-host meetings in 2007 and 2009. The Marine Section volunteered to organize a significant marine component of the annual meeting at least every three years by offering to join the local organizing committee. The Board also decided to increase the support provided by the Executive Office to local organizing committees for future annual meetings.

Membership. SCB will continue its current practice of including membership with subscription to Conservation Biology or Conservation In Practice except in the context of a few special marketing initiatives in which Conservation In Practice is offered without membership.

Transitions. After 15 years of exemplary service, Stephen Humphrey resigned as SCB's Chief Financial Officer on 31 March 2004. Steve's contributions to the mission, growth, and financial well being of SCB cannot be overstated. His tireless commitment to the organization has inspired many conservation biologists to engage in SCB governance, and his thoughtful, honest perspectives on challenges and opportunities facing SCB have energized Board discussions since 1989.

The Board appointed David Johns as new Chief Financial Officer effective 31 March. We are fortunate to capitalize on David's unusual combination of fiscal and legal expertise and his dedication to the goals of conservation biology and SCB. David has a long history of service on the boards of nongovernmental organizations. Please join us in thanking Steve (humphrey@ufl.edu) and welcoming David (djohns@viclink.com).

Development. Gary Tabor has been appointed Chair of the Development Committee. He can be reached at gary@wilburforce.org.

Strategic Planning. Loyal Mehrhoff was appointed Chair of the Strategic Planning subcommittee. The subcommittee is in the process of developing its scope of work for our next three-year strategic plan, which will include summarizing outcomes from previous phases of strategic planning, outlining a detailed process and schedule for clarifying SCB's short-term and longer-term objectives, and prioritizing SCB activities needed to reach our objectives and overall mission.

Nominations. Four positions will be open in the 2005 election: President Elect, Secretary, Humanities, and Local Chapters. The deadline for nominations is 1 September 2004.

Bylaw Revisions. Proposed bylaw revisions, which will be presented to the membership for approval at the 1 August Members' Meeting, will be posted on SCB's Web site in early July. Please review and comment on the proposed revisions in advance of the meeting.

Ethics. An ad hoc committee on ethics has drafted a Statement of Values and seeks member input.

Section Reports. See the article in this newsletter for summaries of the exciting activities being initiated and maintained by SCB members around the world.

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