OFFICIAL MINUTES of the Annual Business Meeting of the Florida Ornithological Society
April 21, 2007
Golden Isles Conference Room
Park Inn Brunswick
5252 New Jesup Highway
Brunswick, Georgia 31523
President Jack Hailman called the Annual Business Meeting of the Florida Ornithological Society (FOS) to order at 3:07 p.m. after determining there were more than 15 members present. Eighteen FOS members were in attendance and President Hailman had received proxies from Fran James, Dean Jue, Joyce King, Reed Noss, Scott Robinson, and Katie Sieving. The proxies were solicited during the week prior to the meeting to ensure sufficient votes to elect in-coming officers and directors. President Hailman welcomed the attendees to the spring 2007 FOS meeting.
President Hailman stated the first order of business involved the minutes from the last meeting. He asked Secretary Bowen about the minutes. Secretary Bowen reported the minutes from the last annual membership meeting had been voted on and approved by the board of directors at the fall 2006 FOS board meeting. President Hailman stated that the minutes should be voted on by the membership at the annual business meeting. Secretary Bowen reported that the minutes that were approved by the board have been posted on the FOS web site and are available for members to view there.
President Hailman stated the next item that needed to be addressed was the election of officers and directors. He asked Peter Merritt, nominating committee chairperson, to present the slate of candidates. Peter thanked the outgoing officers, President Jack Hailman, Vice-president Soo Whiting, Secretary Pam Bowen, and Treasurer Dean Jue, and directors, Judy Bryan and Katie Sieving, for all of their efforts and contributions to FOS during their terms of office. The attendees acknowledged the outgoing officers and directors with applause. Peter also thanked the nominating committee members, Jim Cox and Andy Kratter, for their work on the committee. Peter introduced the slate of nominees which included:
President - Dr. Jerome A. Jackson
Vice-president – Ann B. Hodgson
Secretary – Jim Cox
Treasurer – Peter G. Merritt
Director – Karl E. Miller
Director – Ann F. Paul
Peter gave a brief overview of each candidate’s background. President Hailman thanked Peter and the members of the nominating committee for their work preparing the slate of nominees. President Hailman asked if there were any questions about the nominees. Peter Merritt told the attendees that he was looking forward to being treasurer and he knew he had an office staff that would be able to assist with some items like mailing dues notices. President Hailman asked for any nominations from the floor. There were none. Soo Whiting moved to accept the slate of nominees as presented by the nominating committee. The motion was seconded by Marie Slaney and approved by acclimation of the attending members.
Vice-president Whiting announced the fall 2007 meeting will take place in the Lake Placid/Sebring area and is being co-hosted by Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, and Mark and Nancy Deyrup, Highlands County Audubon. Soo encouraged members to watch the FOS web site for details about the meeting.
After determining there was no further business, President Hailman adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m.