ESA Spring 2024 Governing Board Meeting Minutes Ecological Society of America Washington, DC and Zoom Meeting May 7 – 8, 2024

Abstract

President Naeem presiding, meeting called to order at 9:00 AM EST.

I. Roll Call and Agenda (Naeem)

A. Adopt Agenda

Motion to Adopt Meeting Agenda: Move to adopt meeting agenda.

Motion moved by Sharon Collinge and motion seconded by Jeannine Cavender-Bares. Motion Carries (All aye).

B. Acknowledgment of Email Votes

The Governing Board voted by email (all aye) on April 24, 2024 to approve the minutes from the March 2024 meeting.

II. Reports

A. Report of the President (Naeem)

After reminding members of the GB of their duties and responsibilities, President Naeem provided an overview of the agenda, emphasized the importance of the issues under consideration, and expressed his gratitude to the staff and GB for their efforts. This was followed by a discussion of the lessons learned by Presidents about the ESA, its structure, and decision-making process, and the broader ways the ESA in involved in national issues.

B. Report of the Executive Director and Staff (O'Riordan)

ED O'Riordan provided an overview of the staff efforts on different activities including 4DEE and DEI efforts, student policy award winners and their activities, several regional meetings, and the recent Galapagos Expedition Trip that was part of a new development initiative. She reminded GB members that the updates mailed to them contain more detailed updates of grant-supported and other programs. The GB asked for additional information about several topics, with an emphasis on regional/chapter meetings, how they came about, and their impact.

III. Strategic and Operational Updates

A. Publications Update & Peer Review Initiative (Wallace)

Publications Director Wallace summarized the agenda items related to publications, and provided an overview of the proposed pilot project of double-anonymous review (including changes in ScholarOne that need to be made to make it possible). President Collinge moved for the GB to endorse the pilot project of double-anonymous peer review by the ESA Publications Office; the motion was Seconded by Cid. Following discussion by the GB, President Naeem called for a vote and the motion carried (10 Aye, 1 Abstention).

C. Strategic Plan Implementation/Metrics (O'Riordan)

ED O'Riordan provided an overview of Strategic Plan Implementation and Metrics (2024–2027). The example proposed metrics focused on quantifiable, trackable metrics (numbers, %, waivers awarded for OA papers, professional certifications awarded, etc.). The GB discussed means to assess these, how and when to identify benchmarks, and other important metrics that are challenging to quantify (connections made, collaborations developed, etc.) and the methodological expertise required to do so (qualitative tools such as focus groups, ethnographies, interviews).

E. Guest Speaker: Teresa Curto, Executive Director of Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)

ASLO ED Curto answered questions from the GB regarding challenges facing ASLO and issues ranging from the relationship with Wiley, open access and the potential consequences of OA flips to their global author base, expanding the scope of their journals, transformative publishing agreements, member recruitment vs. retention, and the tradeoffs the push to grow as an organization vs. the ideal size as an organization. She notes their emphasis has been most recently on engagement instead of size: webinars, conferences, professional development, and the website, partnering with other organizations, etc.

F. Report from Ad Hoc Task Force on Membership Models

GB Member Pataki gave an overview of the history of and charge to the ad hoc task force on membership. They identified a number of priorities for growing the membership, including ecologists from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds, ecologists in non-academic positions, early-career ecologists, outreach and programming for members in other societies, and international ecologists. A key need identified was defining value proposition, and a proposed new membership category: a corporate/organizational membership model. The GB discussed the potential benefits and risks of corporate and organization participation, getting more input on the benefits from potential organizations.

Motion to Consider New Membership Category: Move to establish organizational members that may include corporations, nonprofit entities (such as academic and research institutions), and government agencies and to authorize the Finance Committee to approve the initial dues structure for the launch of this program. Organizations will be vetted using the Gift Acceptance and Corporate Sponsorship policy.

Motion moved by Diane Pataki and motion seconded by Stephanie Hampton. Motion carries (all aye).

G. Fundraising Update

The ED reviewed the status of appeals to donors for a variety of ESA endowments, with the goal of advancing endowment challenges. The GB then discussed fundraising strategies for the endowments and ways to get prior recipients involved in development. She encouraged 100% board giving in order to show commitment when speaking with other donors.

I. Council Updates

Council Chair Graves summarized the proposed changes to the Section and Chapter Governance standards, which are an effort to make sure all sections and chapters had a clear purpose, an annual review of their statement of purpose to ensure it aligns with membership goals, a consistent leadership structure (officers, their responsibilities, and the process for their election), and new activity standards.

The GB thanked Graves for the effort put into this by the committee members and reiterated how important the changes were. They also discussed ways to encourage sections and chapters to be increasingly creative and active in light of the administrative burden for staff of their maintenance, as well as ways to shutter sections/chapters that are dormant. Suggestions included awards for active sections or outstanding section activities, changing allocation based on membership numbers, etc.

Motion to accept changes to the Section and Chapter Guidelines Leadership Manual: Move to approve the recommended changes to the Chapter and Section Leadership Manual. This document is part of the Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Motion moved by Emilio Bruna and motion seconded by Sharon Collinge. Motion Carries (all aye).

President Naeem resumed the meeting at 9:33 AM EST.

J. Nominations Committee Report

Past-President Collinge presented the 2024 slate of nominees and thanked Nomination Committee members Stephanie Hampton, James Rattling Leaf, Diane Pataki, Jen Funk, Pacifica Sommers, and Zakiya Leggett (who stepped off the committee after accepting a nomination to run for office). The Committee reviewed nominations and solicited candidacies for President-Elect, Secretary, and two positions on the Governing Board. The Nominations Committee and Governing Board were especially pleased to see nominations and candidacies from professionals working in the private sector, NGOs, and government, which is consistent with the ESA goal of encouraging membership beyond academia.

L. Statement of Values and Responsibilities for Ecologists (Collinge)

The ANdinA workshops are a series of international debates with the aim of redefining the responsibilities and obligations that ecological scientists and researchers should have toward society and nature. Past-President Collinge presented an overview of the 2024 Andina meeting and in particular the potential for the ESA to consider “The Conguillío Statement,” which is a statement of values and responsibilities for ecologists. The Governing Board discussed the content of the Statement, its implications for the ESA, and the importance of promoting discussion of these issues (and this document) more broadly by ESA members. A special session will be held in Long Beach with other national society leaders to get ESA member feedback, which will be provided to the Governing Board in further considering the adoption of this statement at the November meeting.

M. Wrap-Up/Action Items (Naeem)

Motion to Adjourn Meeting: Motion to adjourn Spring 2024 Governing Board Meeting. The board will next convene on Saturday, August 3 in Long Beach, CA.

Motion moved by Emilio Bruna and motion seconded by Jeannine Cavender-Bares. Motion Carries (All aye).