I was talking with Dick Banks the other day and he suggested that I review this running commentary when I had the opportunity. I have done so....although it did take me two days!
Like others, I will hold a final opinion on whether to support or reject any plan that is offered up. I do have several observations or points to offer:
1) I am a Life Member of three of the OSNA societies. There are obviously many others in the same situation, as well as those with only one or two (or maybe 4 or more?) life memberships. I do not see you listing a 'subcommittee' that is reviewing membership structure, etc. AOU has it Fellows, EMs, etc. Some consideration in 'the plan' needs to be made on how memberships would be handled if there was a merger and eventually give us some outline of what the regular membership cost might be for an individual. I think I could see a great reduction in costs per person, esp. if the person currently belongs to several OSNA societies and would only pay one, smaller membership per year.
2) Dropping reference to this being an "AOU 20XX Annual Meeting Presentation.pdf" and similar attributes might lesson some from thinking this is solely an AOU idea.
3) I am no financial person--can only ballance my checkbook! How would some of those endowments be merged of the various societies? Are there any legal restrictions to such mergers--i.e., are some very specific as to use and who may use them? I hope Fitz is including those aspects in his Financial Management working group.
Ricky, Dick, and John have made some very cogent points, as have others. I am still thinking this over and may have more comments later.
AOU and Other Societies to Evolve Into New Society for Ornithology
in Community
Posted
Sue--
I was talking with Dick Banks the other day and he suggested that I review this running commentary when I had the opportunity. I have done so....although it did take me two days!
Like others, I will hold a final opinion on whether to support or reject any plan that is offered up. I do have several observations or points to offer:
1) I am a Life Member of three of the OSNA societies. There are obviously many others in the same situation, as well as those with only one or two (or maybe 4 or more?) life memberships. I do not see you listing a 'subcommittee' that is reviewing membership structure, etc. AOU has it Fellows, EMs, etc. Some consideration in 'the plan' needs to be made on how memberships would be handled if there was a merger and eventually give us some outline of what the regular membership cost might be for an individual. I think I could see a great reduction in costs per person, esp. if the person currently belongs to several OSNA societies and would only pay one, smaller membership per year.
2) Dropping reference to this being an "AOU 20XX Annual Meeting Presentation.pdf" and similar attributes might lesson some from thinking this is solely an AOU idea.
3) I am no financial person--can only ballance my checkbook! How would some of those endowments be merged of the various societies? Are there any legal restrictions to such mergers--i.e., are some very specific as to use and who may use them? I hope Fitz is including those aspects in his Financial Management working group.
Ricky, Dick, and John have made some very cogent points, as have others. I am still thinking this over and may have more comments later.
Jay