SCB Endorsements, Sponsorships, and Partnerships

Thank you for your interest in having SCB endorse, sponsor, or partner in your project. We appreciate the opportunity to review and give support to conservation-focused undertakings that can benefit from our involvement. Please submit your request in writing and in your proposal please provide all of the information requested below to aid in our consideration. Specify what kind of relationship you are seeking: endorsement--no in-kind or monetary support for your project; sponsorship--money, services, or in-kind contributions or a combination from the Society; partnership--funds and services or both exchanged between the agreeing parties. Please note the sorts of things we DO endorse: conferences, symposia, conservation projects, recognition of accomplishments in conservation and science (service awards have additional guidelines), development or publication of information products. Please note the sorts of things we DON'T endorse: litigation actions, individuals for any unspecified or general purposes, candidates for office, political ads or campaigns, undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Because of the number of requests we receive and the critical and frequently enduring nature of endorsements, sponsorships, and partnerships, we have developed the following policy statement and guidelines. Following these will facilitate consideration of your application by the SCB Board. All communications should be directed to the Executive Director of SCB.

Endorsement/Sponsorship/Partnership Policy Statement:

The SCB will consider all proposed endorsements, sponsorships, and partnerships that have the potential to advance the mission of the Society and are consistent with the current strategic plan priorities.

SCB mission statement: to advance the science and practice of conserving the Earth's biological diversity.

Procedures:

1. All requests for endorsement, sponsorship or partnership must be submitted in writing to the Executive Director. The request may take the form of a letter or memorandum, but must include the information set out below under Request Guidelines. The request must be signed by one or more individuals with authority to represent the entity making the request. The signer's office(s) or other authority (board resolution, authorship, etc) must be identified. The applicant must provide the information identified below and allow a minimum of 60 days for any decision.

2. The SCB Board will review the submitted information in light of the SCB mission and priorities and the applicant will be notified of the results. The Board may request additional information in writing before making a final decision.

3. The decision of the SCB board will be made in writing and such writing shall state specifically the content, timing, and conditions of the endorsement, sponsorship or partnership. Applicant must agree in writing to decision of the SCB board and will also be required to execute a hold harmless statement and an acknowledgement that all endorsements are conditional. (Please see below.) Additionally, depending on the amount of funds or services involved, a formal contract between SCB and the applicant may be required.

Request Guidelines:

1. All proposals must be in writing. Although proposals may be discussed verbally the SCB board will base its decision on written material only.

2. The proposal should clearly state whether it is a request for: endorsement--a statement from SCB but no in-kind or monetary support for project; sponsorship--a statement and in addition money, services, or in-kind contributions, or some combination from SCB; partnership--a statement and a mutual contribution of or exchange of funds, services or other contributions between SCB and the applicant.

3. What is the project's intended effect? How does this fall within the scope of the SCB mission? (See the statement above and the SCB website for more information) How will SCB's involvement assist with the applicant's project?

4. What sort of statement or endorsement is being requested? In what form? How is it to be used or how will it appear? How is the SCB to be identified? What quantity of funds or types of services or other contributions are requested? When? What type and amount of matching funds or services will applicant provide?

5. What is the ultimate purpose of the project?

6. Who is the intended audience of the project?

7. What is the expected lifetime of the project?

8. What are expected outcomes or products of the project (e.g. published proceedings following a symposium)?

9. Are any SCB officers, employees, or current board members involved in the project?

10. Which other organizations, if any, are involved? Have other groups been asked to be involved?

11. Who are the project leads (e.g., authors, editors, coordinators, primary organizers)?

12. What are some examples of what might be included in the final product?

The following conditions also apply, as appropriate, and will be made part of any endorsement, sponsorship or partnership:

A liability disclaimer must be included for the SCB board's review.

Endorsement of any project is at the discretion of the SCB Board.

In the case of endorsement of a publication(s), an endorsement will be valid for the specifically approved edition only; Endorsement of subsequent editions must be requested again and will be evaluated on their own merit.

In the case of endorsement of a publication(s), the SCB would like to have copies of the publication for distribution and/or royalties on sales.

Websites and other ephemeral projects will have a temporal limitation endorsement clause in the endorsement agreement (e.g. for a period of three years).

Websites and other publications will have a "content change" clause in the endorsement agreement (e.g., changes in the content of the project that significantly alter the original will require SCB notification and possibly Board approval for continued endorsement).

Proposals will be reviewed by the Executive Office and Board as quickly as possible. Depending on the nature and complexity of a request, our review could take 60 days or possibly longer; please plan accordingly.

Individuals are not endorsed. Only projects and publications will be considered.

A written record of all applications, correspondence, deliberations, activities and decisions related to each proposal will be maintained in the Executive Office of SCB.

Submit all applications and correspondence information (electronic submission is preferred) to the Society at:

Alan D. Thornhill, Ph.D., Executive Director

Society for Conservation Biology

1017 O Street NW

Washington, DC 20001 US

202-234-4133 x102

fax: 703-995-4633

athornhill@conbio.org

Sample Agreement

Memorandum of Understanding between the Society for Conservation Biology and: _______________________________.

1.____________________ (applicant) has made the following proposal for endorsement/sponsorship/partnership to the Society for Conservation Biology:

<<<Enter here language appropriate from application describing the project>>>

2. The Society for Conservation Biology, acting through its board, agrees to endorse/sponsor/partner with ____________________ (applicant) and will provide the following:

<<<Enter language here that specifically describes what SCB will do, e.g. a statement of endorsement that may appear on a publication or conference announcement, funds to be pledged, timing of disbursements, in-kind contributions, and any conditions for such endorsements (this particular conference, this particular edition of a book), as well as any conditions for withdrawing an endorsement or ending a sponsorship or partnership. >>>

3. ____________________(applicant) agrees that should the Society for Conservation Biology, for any reason or for no reason, decide by action of its board, to withdraw its endorsement and terminate any sponsorship or endorsement, _______________________ will immediately upon notification of this action, cease using such endorsement, notwithstanding any expense, shall return any unexpended funds if any were advanced, and shall hold SCB harmless for any and all consequences of such withdrawal or termination to itself or any third party.

4. ___________________(applicant's name) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless and make whole the Society for Conservation Biology for any consequences, monetary or otherwise, arising out of its endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership of any project of applicant's, including any consequences arising as a result of actions by _____________'s agents or a result of ________________'s direction.

5. ________ does hereby indemnify and agrees to save and hold SCB, its affiliates, successors, licensees and assigns, and the officers, directors, agents and employees of each of them, harmless of and from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, suits, losses, settlements, damages, fines, penalties and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) (collectively, "Losses") for which they or any of them may become liable or may incur or be compelled to pay in any action or claim against them or any of them, by reason of or in connection with any breach or alleged breach by ________ of this Agreement or any of [Other group]'s representations, warranties or agreements hereunder.

All correspondence shall be directed to the following, and sending such correspondence to the following shall constitute notice:

SCB:
Alan D. Thornhill, Ph.D., Executive Director
Society for Conservation Biology
1017 O Street NW
Washington, DC 20001 US
202-234-4133 x102
fax: 703-995-4633
athornhill@conbio.org
Name:
Signature:

Requesting party:
Name:
Signature: