2005 Preliminary Business Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2005, by Section C Chair Rob Meagher, with 33 members in attendance.
Announcements
The 2006 annual meeting will be held in Indianapolis on Dec. 10-16. The theme of next year’s meeting will be “Give Something Back.” Program symposia titles are due to the program committee by Feb. 1, and Section and regular symposia titles are due Mar. 6. There are expected to be 4 slots for Section C symposia and 32 for regular symposia. In addition, the deadline for Hot Topics symposia is Nov. 1. This new category of symposium is designed to accommodate symposia dealing with late-breaking topics of concern to the general membership.
The drawbridge across the Intercoastal Waterway, separating the convention center from many of the meeting hotels, will be up from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Shuttle buses will still carry meeting attendees to hotels on the other side of the Waterway, but will take much longer to make the trip.
Introduction of Section C Officers
Chair – Rob Meagher
Vice-Chair – Peter Price
Secretary – Paul Weston
Secretary-Elect – Rob Wiedenmann
Past Chair – Robert Nowierski
Governing Board Representative (2004-2006) – Gail Kampmaier
Old Business
2004 Preliminary Business Meeting Minutes: Vice-Chair Peter Price read abbreviated minutes from the 2004 Section C Final Business Meeting.
Data for Section C participation in 2004 meeting:
Overall, the 2005 ESA program had nine program symposia, including four late-breaking symposia, 18 Section symposia, and 31 regular symposia
Section C members organized or co-organized one program symposium, two full Section symposia, and co-sponsored one other. Two symposia were organized by Section C members, and two symposia meetings consisted of many Section C members.
Program Symposia:
Bridging the Gap Between Basic Behavioral Research and Crop Protection Applications for Tree Fruit Agroecosystems: Honoring the Life and Work of Ronald J. Prokopy. Tracy C. Leskey, Charles Vincent, Martin Aluja. Saturday morning and afternoon, December 17, Grand Floridian Ballroom G
Section C Symposia:
The Other Social Arthropods. Donald G. Miller and Dessie L. A. Underwood. Friday afternoon, December 16, Room 124
Incorporating Natural Enemies into Crop Protection Decision Making. Kristopher L. Giles and Tim Kring. Saturday morning, December 17, Palm B
Advances in Understanding Insect Dispersal to Improve Pest Management in Vegetable Systems. (Co-sponsored with Section F). Brian A. Nault and Tong-Xian Liu. Friday afternoon, December 16, Palm A
Other Symposia:
Weed Biological Control in Natural Areas. Gregory S. Wheeler and William A. Overholt. Thursday morning, December 15, Room 315
Diversity of Trophic Relationships in the Carabidae. Jonathan G. Lundgren and Donald C. Weber. Saturday afternoon, December 17, Room 304
Annual Business Meeting of the North American Section of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects. Edward L. Vargo. Saturday evening, December 17, Palm A
IOBC Symposium and Reception – Biological Control in Support of Conservation Biology. George E. Heimpel. Saturday evening, December 17, Palm B
Statistics:
Ten-minute papers (TMP): 16 sessions totaling 168 presentations; 12 student sessions totaling 91 presentations for a combined total of 259
Display presentations: 11 sessions totaling 208 posters; 8 student sessions totaling 68 presentations for a combined total of 276
Overall, there were 602 oral presentations (TMP and Student TMP) and 676 displays. Section C members contributed 43.0% (259/602) of oral presentations and 40.8% (276/676) of displays
Report from Section C Governing Board Representative, Gail Kampmeier:
The Governing Board met all day Wednesday, December 14th 2005 and until noon on Thursday, Dec. 15th. Reports on the budget were made, and as Executive Director, Paula Lettice indicated in her Plenary address to the membership, things continue to look up for the second year in a row, with respect to membership, but there is still a real problem with retention of members, both regular and student members, despite the 2-year transition for students from the sticker shock of student memberships to that of regular membership at four times the cost. We would encourage you to let your students know about this opportunity as they graduate to become students in transition and retain their membership in the Society.
Section C has increased its membership by 10% in the 2003-2005 time period, although it lost membership, as did all other sections, in the 5 year period of 2001-2005. As of November 30th, membership in Section C was at 1,930 and with luck we might hit the 2000 mark next year. Rayda Krell, Chair of the Membership Committee, and representative from Section C will be giving the report to the Section at the final business meeting, and we should be extremely proud of her and the efforts of the entire Membership Committee. Please be sure to congratulate members when you see them, they’re wearing blue Membership Committee ribbons, and as Governing Board liaison to this committee, I can attest to the hard work they are doing on behalf of the Society.
In the summer governing board meeting, a 4% dues increase was voted in, which was based on the change in the consumer price index. Many of the other budget matters for the upcoming fiscal year that were presented at the Winter Governing Board meeting were tabled until the Sunday meeting, where I will update you on further developments.
The Youth membership category has languished for many years now, with currently only 4 youth members in this subsidized category. Because ESA is not in a position to offer youth members the kind of support they deserve, the Education and Youth Committee will be charged with finding more appropriate venues for these members, which may include Y.E.S. (Young Entomologists Society). The Rules committee will draft an amendment to the By-Laws for consideration in future voting on removing this membership category.
Alan Kahan informed the board that we have been approached to add two bee-related publications from the International Bee Research Association, Bee World, and the Journal of Apical Research. Because concerns that this would place a significant burden on an already overworked staff, the Board politely declined the opportunity.
The Board voted to provide $6,000 to support enhancement/improvement of BCE marketing activities as a one-time expenditure at their request, to increase membership and awareness of their activities.
Blackwell Publishing sent three representatives to talk with the Governing Board about developing a publication strategy for ESA journals. The family owned publishing house works with many entomological journals and professional society publications. No resolution was arrived at regarding the presentation.
The Governing Board also met as a group with CEDA (Council of Entomology Department Administrators). We discussed with CEDA the problem of the lack of women in faculty and senior positions in entomology. Related to this, keep an eye out for signs about the location and time of the Women in Entomology breakfast, now in its 17th year, which will be held on Sunday morning. Elizabeth Beckemeyer is the founder of this event and is currently looking for a place to hold it. Everyone, not just women, is invited to attend and you are encouraged to sponsor a graduate student at this event by buying her or him breakfast.
CEDA drafted a resolution centered on the debate over teaching Intelligent Design vs. Evolution in science classes. CEDA will post the resolution with the endorsement of the Governing Board for approval at the final business meeting. Because the Governing Board had not advertised the fact, CEDA was unaware that the Governing Board had approved a cybermotion (#6) to support a AAAS statement on this topic earlier in the autumn
CEDA brought up the current ineffectiveness of the Society at taking positions on issues of national importance and influencing science policy. Our current structure hampers our ability to act effectively, and the Governing Board, with input from other ESA leaders, has been working on a proposal to increase the effectiveness of the Society. The CEDA group was invited to join other society leaders (Section & Branch leadership, committee chairs) in a preview of the “new ESA” restructuring proposal. You will see buttons on people who have been a part of this presentation, in “Ask me about a New ESA!” I would encourage all of you to attend one of the sessions on Saturday and become informed about the proposed restructuring of our Society to make it more nimble, responsive to member needs, and relevant to the future. There are also posters and surveys on each floor of the convention center explaining the process of what is being proposed. This restructuring will affect the way that the sections work, potentially reducing the number, shaking up all of the groupings, and giving more autonomy to respond to member needs to the sections. None of this is written in stone. Members will have several places where they will be able to have input and vote on whether to continue with the process of restructuring or stop. The meeting with Students & Restructuring is from 9-10:30 AM Saturday in 204 Convention Center, and the meeting with the general membership follows it from 10:30 to noon in 301-302 CC. Please make every effort to attend.
New Business
Vice-chair Peter Price called for judges and moderators for the 2006 student competition. Sign-up sheets were passed around for those interested that did not sign up at the preliminary subsection business meetings.
The charge to the nominating committee (Chair, Bob Nowierski and Subsection Chairs) was to solicit nominations for the following offices by the final section business meeting on Sunday.
Vice-President-Elect (ESA)
Secretary-Elect, Section C (2007)
Governing Board Representative (2007-2009)
Reports from Subsection Chairs
Report from Subsection Ca – Biological Control, Denise Olsen
The Subsection Ca (Biological Control) Business Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m., December 16, 2005, in Room 113 Broward County Convention Center by Chair Denise Olson. Vice Chair Laurence Charlet and Secretary Kristopher Giles were introduced.
Attendance: 11Eleven members were in attendance.
Announcements:
Section C preliminary business meeting follows immediately at 6 p.m. in Rm. 316.
Final business meeting, Dec. 18th 3:30 p.m Rm. 316.
IOBC-NRS business meeting, Dec. 17th 7:30 p.m., Palm B, followed by the IOBC Symposium and reception (Biological Control in Support of Conservation Biology) at 8 p.m. in Rm. Palm B.
Presentations: Student 10 min. talks (26), Student Posters (20), Reg. 10 min. talks (30), Reg. posters (57).
Sign-up sheet circulated for student competition judges for the 2006 meeting, Dec. 10-14, Indianapolis Convention Center Indianapolis, IN.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from the 2004 meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, were distributed. A motion was made by Bob Nowerski and seconded by Ernst Delfosse to approve the minutes. Minutes were unanimously approved.
New Business:
Motion by Bob Nowerski and seconded by Jonathan Lundgren to nominate Ross Miller for Section C Secretary. The motion was unanimously approved. Nominations were closed.
Motion by Bob O’Neil and seconded by Larry Charlet to nominate Jonathan Lundgren for Section Ca Secretary-elect. The motion was unanimously approved. Nominations were closed.
Proposal by S. Raghu for a section symposium tentatively titled Risk Assessment for Biocontrol.
Items from the floor:
Announcement by Bob Nowerski and Ernst Delfosse on changing requirements by APHIS for transporting and shipping natural enemies. Details are described on the APHIS website. The following resolution was unanimously approved in response, and forwarded to the Section C preliminary meeting.
RESOLUTION
Subsection Ca, Biological Control
The 53rd Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America
Broward County Convention Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL
December 16, 2005Whereas, the members of Subsection Ca of the Entomological Society of America have learned that USDA-APHIS has expanded opportunities for hand-carrying natural enemies and other germplasm, has removed the bonded carrier requirement, and no longer requires shipment to Beltsville, Maryland, for inspection. Therefore, be it resolved that Subsection Ca recognizes that this is a very positive move forward for biological control and the greater research community.
Members in attendance expressed sincere thanks to Bob Nowerski and Ernst Delfosse for their efforts.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Report from Subsection Cb – Apiculture and Social Insects. David Tarpy for Steve Pernal
Attendance: 6
Call to order: 5:35 pm, by David Tarpy
Stephen Pernal sends his regrets for not being able to attend.
Old Business
Minutes from prior meeting were accepted unanimously.
David read Outgoing Chair's Report 2005 by Stephen Pernal (see below).
New Business
Nominations for Secretary-elect: Diana Sammataro and Bob Jeanne were nominated per email, Robert Jeanne has not reconfirmed whether he would be available. Diana Sammataro was voted for secretary (6:0 votes).
Last year 41 oral presentations, this year (pre-Wilma) 62, posters increased 9 to 23, student members 11 (down from 12), student posters 8 (up from 4). Suggestions for symposia deferred to the IUSSI business meeting. Sign-up sheets deferred to the IUSSI business meeting.
Attendees were encouraged to participate in the Section C preliminary business meeting.
Adjourn: 5:45 pm, by David. Seconded by Olav.
Outgoing Chair’s Report 2005– Subsection Cb
During 2005 the officers of Subsection Cb addressed three significant issues. The first of these was the solicitation of symposia for the 2005 Annual Meeting. I am pleased to recognize the efforts of Don Miller and Dessie Underwood in organizing “The Other Social Arthropods” which was accepted as a Section Symposium at this meeting.
A second issue was follow-up action on a motion voted upon during the last Subsection Cb meeting in Salt Lake City in 2004. This proposal sought to divert program enhancement funds that would have been used for symposia organized by Subsection Cb members to the North American Section of the IUSSI to be used as start-up funds to host the 2006 International Congress of the IUSSI in Washington, D.C. The ramifications of this would be that no program enhancement funds would available to organizers of Subsection Cb-initiated program symposia in 2005 and 2006. Unfortunately, this proposal was voted down at the winter Governing Board Meeting. As a result, all normal program enhancement funds will be available to Subsection Cb for 2006.
The third issue that was addressed was a request from President Mike Ivie to strike a small committee of Subsection Cb members to investigate a proposal made by the International Bee Research Association (IBRA) for ESA to take on publication of the journals Bee World and the Journal of Apicultural Research. The committee, comprised of Stephen Pernal, David Tarpy, Keith Delaplane, Stan Schneider and Ed Vargo was tasked to write a report and provide recommendations regarding the scientific merit of such an undertaking and any anticipated effects on existing ESA publications or other social insect journals. The committee submitted their report on September 16, 2005 to Paul Lettice, ESA National Director, and Alan Kahan, ESA Director of Communications, who provided additional input as to business aspects of such an undertaking. This information was then passed on to the Governing Board and Publications Council for their consideration.
Report from Subsection Cc – Insect Vectors in Relation to Plant Disease. Blake Bextine
In Attendance: Blake Bextine, Chair; Rayda Krell, Secretary; Elaine Backus, Marty Heppler, Wayne Hunter, Gail Kampmeier, David Ragsdale, Candice Stafford, Astri Wayadande, Susan Webb.
Blake called the meeting to order at 5:37 PM. The meeting began with self-introductions by each member in attendance. Blake read the minutes of the 2004 Section Cc Business Meeting. Astri moved to accept the minutes and Elaine seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as read.
An attendance sign-in form and a moderator/judge volunteer form were passed around. Information from the forms will be forwarded to Peter Price, Section C Chair.
New Business
Elaine moved that Section Cc support the nomination of Gail Kampmeier to serve another term as the Section C representative to the ESA Governing Board. Astri seconded the motion. The motion passed and Rayda volunteered to speak on Gail’s behalf at the Section C final business meeting.
The new Section Cc officers for 2006 are Rodrigo Almeida, Chair and Rayda Krell, Vice-Chair. Nominations were requested for Section Cc Secretary. Rayda nominated Russell Groves and Elaine seconded. Blake nominated Forrest Mitchell and Astri seconded. An election will be held by e-mail to allow maximum participation by Cc members. Biographies of each candidate will be included in the e-mail message.
The suggestion was made to sponsor a symposium at the 2006 meeting to honor the career of Mike Irwin. Gail and Blake volunteered to work together on the symposium proposal. The suggestion was made to approach Section F to co-sponsor the symposium. The theme of the symposium will likely focus on epidemiology.
Announcements
The deadline for submitting program symposia for the 2006 annual meeting is February 1, 2006.
The deadline for any late-breaking symposia (focusing on entomological “hot topics”) for the 2006 annual meeting is November 1, 2006.
Blake Bextine is seeking M.S. graduate students.
Susan Webb is seeking a Ph.D. graduate student for virus/vector research.
A faculty position in insects as vectors of plant pathogens is open at the University of Hawaii.
Report from Subsection Cd – Behavior and Ecology. Tracy Leskey
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 16, by Subsection Cd Chair Tracy C. Leskey. Thirteen members were in attendance. Tracy made announcements concerning the 2006 Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, which will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from December 10 through December 13. The 2006 Meeting theme will be “Give Something Back.” The deadline for Program Symposia for the Indianapolis Meeting is February 1, 2006. All symposia from Section C that are not selected for the Program Symposia automatically are considered for Section C Symposia. Section C has been given four slots for symposia. The deadline for Section Symposia is March 6, 2006. Any symposia that are not chosen for the Program or the Section Symposia are then placed in the Regular Symposia pool. There will be 36 Regular Symposia for the 2006 Meeting. The deadline for Regular Symposia is also March 6, 2006. Another programming option for the 2006 Meeting is “Hot Topics”. These must be submitted by November 1, 2006, in order to be considered for this program area.
Tracy distributed Student Competition Judge and Moderator Forms for the 2006 Meeting. The members in attendance were urged to volunteer and also to spread the word among other members about the need for judges and moderators for the student competitions. The students are critical to the future of ESA, so we need to support and mentor them as much as possible.
The 2012 International Congress of Entomology is presently in the planning stages. Interest has been expressed by some members of the ESA to make a bid to have the Congress in the United States in 2012. A meeting is scheduled in Room 207 of the Convention Center tomorrow, Saturday, December 17, from 12-1:30 p.m. for any members who would like to make suggestions or become involved in the 2012 International Congress of Entomology.
Jim Throne was nominated for Secretary-Elect of Subsection Cd. He graciously accepted the nomination, and he was unanimously elected.
The motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. Tracy adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
Report from Subsection Ce – Insect Pathology and Microbial Control. Roberto Pereira
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Roberto Pereira
In attendance: Jeff Lord, Denny Bruck, Steve Wraight, Lerry Lacey, Wayne Gardner, Jim Harper, Pat O’Leary, Ray Kumar, Roberto Pereira, Jarrod Leland.
Agenda Items
Election of new Secretary for Subsection Ce: Volunteers were requested. It is a three year term. Secretary, to Vice Chair, to Chair. Jeff Lord nominated Steve Wraight to be Secretary. Jim Harper seconded the nomination. Steve accepted the nomination. Jim Harper moved that the nominations be closed. Wayne Garner seconded the motion that the nominations be closed. The election was unanimous.
Discussion of judges and moderators: A sign up sheet for judges and moderators for next year was passed around the room.
There is something big that will be said both at the Section C meeting and the ARS scientists meeting. Scientists were encouraged to attend.
It was announced that in room 207 on Saturday (tomorrow) from 12-1:30 there will be a meeting for the ICE meeting in 2012. Attend if you are interested in being involved.
Jim Harper gave information on changes proposed for restructuring ESA. Jim thinks the new structure would accommodate a lot more flexibility. Jim is not clear about how the request for symposia for example will come up through this new structure. Steve indicated that something as huge as insect/plant interactions will end up as subsections anyways. The restructuring plan has been in development for 3-4 yrs and is now being presented to the membership. This year they are putting out a survey. If the membership agreed this year, the earliest it could be in place would be 2008.
Wayne Garner: As a society we are doing well with publications but not with forming policy or help with granting situations, or responding to emerging issues. The new structure is designed so we can respond more easily and faster. Be more influential in Washington D.C. for example. A few years back we tried to come up with a statement on pesticide use. It was hotly debated. There are so many issues on which the government is not consulting ESA, such as transport of insects.
The discussion was cut at this point because the section C meeting was starting in 5 minutes.
Request for symposium topics: Microbial ecology on tritrophic interactions with microorganisms: insects : and plants was proposed by Denny Bruck. This would be a best fit for the section symposium (Ce) rather than section C. The deadline for section and regular symposia is March 6th. Roberto requested that Denny present this to the deciding body. Denny can spread the word to other members.
There was no new business in the subsection.
Moved by Jeff Lord to adjourn at 5:58 and seconded by Denny Bruck to adjourn.
Report from Subsection Cf – Quantitative Ecology
No report.
Reports from Standing Committees with required Section C Representation
Education and Youth (Gwen Pearson)
An ESA outreach program for Fort Lauderdale public school teachers and students was planned for the original ESA meeting in November, but due to the postponement of the meeting, the outreach program was cancelled. The committee felt that the outreach program should occur next year at the ESA meeting in Indianapolis. A brief discussion of a potential outreach program at next year's ESA meeting revealed that Indianapolis has an excellent zoo and science museum, as well as an established outreach program at Purdue. Efforts are underway to establish a partnership.
Incoming ESA President Frank Gilstrap asked the committee to partner with the Entomological Foundation to create a website focusing on insects for use by teachers and students kindergarten through 12th grade. The existing Foundation project, and an ongoing project to develop guidelines to evaluate curriculum materials were discussed. A subcommittee was formed to pursue this further.
Wyatt Hoback will be next year's teaching symposium chair and is the 2006 vice chair of the committee. The committee also discussed inclusion of managing undergraduate research in the teaching symposium.
Ethics (Jonathan Lundgren)
Committee Members: Chris Sansone (Chair), Andrew Brower (Vice Chair), Justin Schmidt, Catherine Eastman, Cynthia Lord, Joseph Kovach, Michal Roberts (Student Representative), Marvin Harris (Governing Board Liason), Christopher Stelzig (Headquarters Liason).
Committee Charge(s): Develop a statement on a code of ethics for the governing board.
Committee Action: The following is the statement developed by the committee and submitted to the Governing Board for a vote at this Winter meeting:
Code of Ethics for the Governing Board of ESA
The Governing Board of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) is charged with overseeing the business affairs of the Society (subject to decisions on policy and actions by the membership) and has the authority to act on behalf of the Society unless otherwise specified by ESA constitution or bylaws. The conduct of ESA business may occasionally pose a potential conflict of interest for one or more members of the board. Board members are to be vigilant regarding such potential conflicts and to conduct business so as to prevent conflicts of interest from compromising board actions.
A potential Conflict of Interest can be defined by situations where personal and/or financial considerations may compromise judgment in any Board activity or where the situation may appear to provide the potential for professional judgment to be compromised. A Conflict of Interest occurs in situations where personal and/or financial considerations compromise judgment in any Board activity or where the actions appear to involve professional judgment being compromised.
To uphold the highest standards of truthfulness and honesty in their activities on behalf of the society, individual Governing Board members must disclose and possibly recuse themselves from addressing matters that come before the Board that, in their judgment, preclude them from offering independent, objective advice on an issue, or that give the appearance of being a conflict of interest. Board members must also exercise vigilance and make inquiries if such recusal is not exercised, but, in the other members’ judgment, should have been exercised. The governing board is expected to resolve potential conflicts of interest as they arise before continuing with normal business related to such matters.
In the event that a conflict of interest does compromise a governing board action, the governing board will disclose and resolve the matter.
Many of the discussions involved with the development of the statement concerned the definition of a conflict of interest, the proper response of a member of the governing board if a conflict of interest arises and the governing board policing itself on ethics. An important point in the conflict of interest statement is the realization of the governing board members that both potential and real conflicts of interest must be brought forth before the board. One of the first steps in avoiding a conflict of interest is to make any potential conflicts known to the group.
The committee also discussed the possibility of automatic recusal if a potential conflict or conflict of interest occurs. Ultimately it was agreed upon that automatic recusal may deprive segments of the society of proper representation so the governing board members must make the determination.
Finally, the governing board needs to decide how the code of ethics is to be implemented. There is some concern about the governing board policing themselves in these matters. This may be a discussion topic for the Rules Committee to address.
Fellows (Robert Granados)
The Fellows Committee began its deliberations in April, 2005 to select and recommend new nominees for ESA Fellowship to the ESA Board by May 1 2005. In the past, Section C has been well represented with persons elected to Fellowship and as of 2004 approximately 25% of the ESA Fellows were from Section C.
For 2005, 13 candidates where considered for Fellowship. The list of the nominees represented individuals with excellent credentials and made the process of ranking very difficult. The 13 candidates were ranked and the names submitted to the ESA Board in early May. In September 2005 the ESA Board announced in the ESA Newsletter that 9 new Fellows of the Entomological Society of America have been elected. The title of Fellow will be bestowed upon these entomologists at the closing session of the ESA Annual meeting.
Items from the floor
Olav Rueppell relayed a complaint about new members having to wear special ribbons attached to their name badges. Rayda Krell explained that the ribbons were intended to help make their experience at their first ESA meeting more enjoyable, perhaps making it more likely that experienced meeting-goers would help them if they were having trouble navigating the meeting. This issue will be re-examined.
Reminders
The Section C Final Business Meeting will be held on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in Room 316 of the Convention Center.
Ernest DelFosse moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Gwen Pearson. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.