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Ahead to 2009 ANNUAL MEETING -- BEIJING, CHINA

KEEP OUR COMMUNITY STRONG WITH THE ME+10 INITIATIVE

In an article in the October 2008 issue of Conservation Biology (22:1087-1089; also reprinted in the November 2008 issue of this newsletter), Mark Schwartz, Mac Hunter, and Dee Boersma described a decline in membership and associated revenue that is affecting professional societies for all disciplines.

Active, engaged members are critical to the work of the Society for Conservation Biology. The success of our policy program, our mentoring of students and early-career professionals, and our regional and annual meetings relies on generous contributions of expertise and time from members of all affiliations and career stages. Members are essential to the review process that allows research in the natural and social sciences to reach conservation professionals in more than 2000 low-income institutions worldwide through philanthropic distribution of Conservation Biology and, more recently, Conservation Letters. Yes, membership dues help SCB s small staff to provide basic services. But no amount of money can substitute for the creativity, diversity, and passion of our members. You are the global community that distinguishes SCB from national societies or strictly academic organizations. And we need your help to ensure that our community and its activities on behalf of conservation continue to thrive.

Please consider joining us in the Me +10 initiative, a simple way to keep SCB strong and representative of the full range of conservation professionals.

First, check whether your membership and any subscriptions are current by visiting www.conbio.org or telephoning SCB s Executive Office. If your renewal date is approaching, please renew promptly so we need not clutter your inbox or dedicate limited staff time to reminders.

Next, please consider asking ten of the colleagues you respect most -- students, collaborators, decision makers -- whether they currently are members of SCB. If not, please share with them some of the ways in which SCB advances the science and practice of conservation. Perhaps you could simply loan them this newsletter or direct them to www.conbio.org/Join/, which explains many of the direct and indirect benefits of joining our community.

If your colleagues are reluctant to join SCB, please ask if they are willing to explain why, and share this feedback with us at me10@conbio.org or www.conbio.org/Bboard. We often have the flexibility to redirect efforts toward the emerging interests or concerns of our members.

Thank you for supporting SCB and the mission we share. With your help, we can maintain and enhance our ability to conserve Earth s biological diversity.

Georgina Mace, President
Luigi Boitani, President Elect
Alan Thornhill, Executive Director

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Ahead to 2009 ANNUAL MEETING -- BEIJING, CHINA