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Minutes of the
WSSA Business Meeting
Kansas City,
Missouri
February 11,
2004
Call to Order. President Al Hamill
called the meeting to order at approximately 5:00 p.m; 96 members
were in attendance.
Agenda. Horace Skipper moved and
Tom Mueller seconded that the agenda be accepted as presented; the
motion passed unanimously.
Minutes from 2003 Business Meeting.
It was moved (Charles Bryson), seconded (Mike Chandler), and passed
unanimously to accept the minutes from the previous meeting.
Treasurer’s Report. Reid Smeda,
treasurer, reported that WSSA had assets of $1,274,506.08 at the end
of fiscal year 2003; this compares favorably with the value at the
beginning of the fiscal year, $1,278,318.93. At fiscal year end,
cash on hand was $196,564.22 and $795,621.39 was invested in the
General Fund; the Endowment Fund was valued at $280,320.47.
Endowment Fund. Dick Oliver noted that
the fund had gained $26,000 over the last year, including $2,440 in
new contributions. The Endowment was valued at $283,452 on December
31, 2003.
Sustaining Membership. Wynn John,
chair of the Sustaining Membership Committee, reported that the
committee has worked to maintain sustaining membership over the past
year; this has been a challenge given the residual effects of the US
economic recession plus industry consolidation. By the end of the
year WSSA did have more sustaining members than in 2002, but even
more significantly, more members chose to participate at higher
membership levels. The total membership dues received from
sustaining members was $31,500, plus four members who purchased
booth space at the annual meeting at $2800.
In addition to dues, sustaining members were
invited to help with selected costs associated with the annual
meeting. Only Syngenta chose to participate in sponsoring this
year’s meeting; they are co-sponsoring the social on the final
evening, along with WSSA. The Society greatly appreciates this extra
support.
Additionally, Donn Thill approached
sustaining members to see if they would provide door prizes as
incentives to encourage greater participation in the annual business
meeting. BASF, Dow Agro Sciences, DuPont, Kumiai and Syngenta
graciously provided prizes as requested. Other companies wanting to
donate prizes for future business meetings should contact a Board
member or member of the Sustaining Membership committee.
Director of Publications. Mike Foley,
Director of Publications, reported that by the end of December 2003,
Weed Technology had received 244 regular submissions, 41 more than
in 2002. Submissions are primarily research articles, but a few
educational articles, reviews, and other communications have been
received. The average time from receipt to acceptance by the editor
is 31 weeks, a five week reduction from 2002. Foley and the editors
of Weed Technology and Weed Science are working with
the managing editor, Ms. Emily Kemmeter, to reduce the backlog of
manuscripts that have been accepted and are awaiting publication.
As of mid-December 2003, 166 manuscripts had
been submitted to Weed Science; six of the manuscripts were
redirected to Weed Technology because the content fit more
appropriately with that journal’s mission. This number is about 10
fewer manuscripts than were submitted in 2001 or 2002. The 2003
acceptance rate for Weed Technology and Weed Science
was 78 and 70%, respectively.
A special edition of Weed Technology
is planned for publication in November, 2004; it will contain papers
covering about 75 presentations from the November, 2003, Invasive
Plants in Natural and Managed Systems (IPINAMS) workshop.
The first year of electronic manuscript
submission via AllenTrack has passed, and despite some complications
and minor headaches, the process has been well-received by authors,
reviewers, associate editors, and editors.
The project “Assessing Economic,
Environmental, and Societal Losses from Invasive Plant on Rangeland
and Wild Lands,” partially supported by WSSA, is at the report
stage. The committee working on the project is considering bundling
a hard copy and CD version if sufficient funds can be found.
We received nearly $18,000 in royalty
payments, from BioOne, our journal aggregator and online provider,
this past year.
Abstracts for the 2004 annual meeting were
published in CD format, as directed by the membership survey and the
Board of Directors.
The newsletter is planned for electronic
delivery via our web site in October 2004. Savings in printing and
mailing costs, plus a faster turn-around time for articles, are some
of the advantages of moving to an electronic newsletter.
Over the next year, Foley will be exploring
the best means to provide electronic access to back issues of
Weeds, Weed Science, and Weed Technology.
At its recent meeting, the Publication Board
discussed publication issues in the WSSA strategic plan, including
outreach to new groups. The appeal of our publications, particularly
Weed Technology, might be enhanced with a name change to Weed and
Invasive Plant Management, or something similar. Foley asked
that attendees think about this, and provide input to Publication
Board members. He noted that the Board of Directors had neither
considered nor acted on a journal name change.
CAST. Jill Schroeder, WSSA
representative to CAST, reminded the membership of how well weed
science is represented in CAST. Jim Martin serves on the CAST Board,
and the four regional weed societies plus WSSA have member
representatives to CAST. Schroeder noted the benefits of joining
CAST on an individual basis, in addition to the benefits gained from
having Society representation. CAST offers leadership training and
workshops, and issues many scientific reports throughout the year.
If members have concerns or ideas for CAST issue papers or other
publications, they should contact Schroeder or other weed scientist
representatives to CAST.
Director of Science Policy (DSP). This
year Rob Hedberg, Director of Science Policy, was hired as a WSSA
employee; previously, WSSA contracted for his services. The WSSA and
member societies have funded Director of Science Policy activities
for the past 5 years. During that time, the budget has held steady,
i.e. there has been no increase in the annual contribution from
member societies. With external funds currently being generated, it
is projected that contributions will remain the same for at least 2
more years. To ensure that costs are keep down, the Washington
Liaison Committee will be developing a business management plan to
work within the overall WSSA business plan.
Among the notable highlights of the past
year:
·
Held a very successful Invasive Plants in Natural and
Managed Systems conference (see below).
·
Received a $66,000 grant from USDA-APHIS to review
weed issues surrounding the approval of glyphosate tolerant
bentgrass. Kent Harrison, Ian Heap, and Phil Banks are
spearheading the project.
Nelroy Jackson provided additional insight on
the IPINAMS meeting, which has been hailed as “the conference of the
decade.” The meeting fostered interaction between ecologists,
government officials, and weed scientists, and enhanced WSSA’s
profile. Three hundred thousand dollars to support the meeting came
from federal agencies and industry contributed $50,000.
Priority issues for 2004 include
·
Increasing research funding for weed science.
Currently, the DSP is spearheading WSSA comments to CSREES on
National Research Initiative priorities. Members with input are
urged to see Hedberg or Bill Mullin today.
·
Coordinating Endangered Species Act consultation
between the USEPA, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and National
Marine Fisheries Service.
·
Creating a federal job classification for weed science
and weed management.
·
Running a successful National Invasive Weed Awareness
Week, February 23 through 27, in Washington, D.C.
Constitution and Operating Procedures.
Horace Skipper, Committee chair, reported that due to increased
Society activity, both through members and the Director of Science
Policy, the Board has found it needs to conduct business other than
at face-to-face meetings. To that end, the Board has adopted a
procedure to make motions, discuss, and vote on business
electronically between meetings.
If members see items in the Constitution or
Manual of Operating Procedures that need attention, please contact
Skipper or another member of the Board.
Local arrangements, 2004. Bill Bertges
reported that 534 registered for the meeting; 81 registrants were
graduate students.
Program Committee for 2005. Carol
Mallory-Smith encouraged members to present posters at the 2005
meeting at the Waikiki Sheraton in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Asian
Pacific Weed Science Society and the Australian Weed Science Society
are interested in exploring joint programming for the meeting.
Nominating Committee. Brad Majek
announced the newly elected Board members: Don Morishita, secretary;
Dale Shaner, vice president; John Jachetta, Member-at-Large.
Site Selection, 2006. Majek reminded
members that the 2006 meeting will be held in New York City and
urged members not to drive to the meeting; public
transportation is the best choice. The meeting hotel, the Marriott
Marquis, is located on Broadway.
Site Selection, 2007. Rhonda Green of
Allen Marketing and Management indicated that Lubbock, Texas; San
Diego, California; and New Orleans, Louisiana; are being considered
as sites for the 2007 meeting.
XID Project. Alex Ogg, chair of the
XID CD special committee, reported that 468 copies of the CD had
been sold as of Februrary 6; this generated revenue of about $5,600.
So far, WSSA has spent $11,000 on the project, and an additional
$4,000 is projected to be spent in 2004. Advertisements for the CD
have appeared in newsletters and magazines which contact an
estimated 25,000 individuals. WSSA has also printed a promotional
brochure highlighting the CD and has distributed about 2,000
copies.
For 2004, the committee will focus on
exploring additional marketing avenues for the Phase I CD, such as
FFA chapters, crop advisors and consultants, and state extension
weed specialists. State specialists can exert a “trickle down”
effect by reaching county extension offices, Master Gardeners, and
grower groups.
Another emphasis for 2004 is continuing work
on Phase II of the CD. Phase II involves collecting images of 420
additional weed species, and all members are urged to provide
pictures. The committee intends to work with weed science
instructors to get weed biographies for all 1400 species in Phase
II. Currently, 219 biographies are in preparation.
The Phase I CD will be demonstrated at the
end of the Teaching and Extension Section of this meeting, on
Thursday afternoon about 3:15 p.m.
Graduate Student Committee. Cody Gray
reported that the committee has drafted a proposed organization
plan, and will bring it to tomorrow’s Board meeting for acceptance.
If the Board agrees, a graduate student would serve in an ex-officio
capacity on the Board.
The committee urges that the town hall format
be retained for future meetings. Gray also mentioned possibly
organizing a graduate student symposium.
Necrology Committee. Eric Prostko,
reporting for the Necrology Committee, requested that attendees
observe a moment of silence to honor the memory of friends and
members of WSSA who had passed away since the 2003 meeting. The list
includes Kriton Hatzios, Chester McWhorter, Paul Sand, Charles
Scifres, Alan Walker, and Charles Wilson, Jr. Obituaries for these
individuals have already been or will be published in a future issue
of the newsletter.
Resolutions Committee. Gordon Vail
reported that there had been no resolutions for consideration this
past year.
Old Business
Hamill expressed thanks to retiring Board
members Dale Shaner, Member-at-Large from Industry, and Laura
Whatley, Secretary. Whatley was presented with a plaque of
appreciation for two terms of service. Hamill also thanked the
remaining Board for their hard work through the year.
New Business
Al Hamill officially passed the gavel to the
incoming president, Carol Mallory-Smith.
Mallory-Smith presented a plaque to past
president Al Hamill as a token of appreciation for his service as
president of the Society.
It was moved (Brad Majek), seconded (Cody
Gray), and unanimously passed that the meeting be adjourned.
President Mallory-Smith adjourned the meeting
at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Laura L. Whatley
WSSA Secretary
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