MINUTES OF THE APS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONFERENCE CALL
Present: S. Slack, J. Fletcher, N. Keen, R. Gergerich, N. Van Alfen, D. Jardine, J. Sherwood
Staff: S. Nelson, M. Smith
The meeting was called to order by President S. Slack at 3:05 p.m. CST. Two items were added to the agenda (attachment #1) under item 6. The first was a discussion of meeting attendance for the Washington, D.C. meeting of The Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP) and The Coalition on Funding Agricultural Research Missions (CoFARM). The second was a discussion concerning the two new editors-in-chief and their relationship to the Publications Board.
MOTION. To accept
the minutes of the previous meeting as circulated by e-mail.SECONDED. There was no discussion. MOTION CARRIED.
1.
Review of
10/25/2000 minutes
C. IAPPS. President Slack briefly reviewed their request for affiliate status. Some major plant protection societies such as the Entomological Society are not on their list yet. ACTION. Councilor’s Forum will be generating some questions to ask them. One question concerns competition among journals.
E.
Electronic Ballots
& Timing for Election. S. Hurtt sent out e-mail to Councilor’s Forum on
10 Aug regarding the proposed changes. No responses expressing concerns were
received. It was indicated that the time between the nomination deadline and
the Councilor’s Forum meeting should be maximized. E‑mail forms will be
sent out right after Christmas. Hard copies will be sent as in the past to
those without an e-mail address. The nomination deadline will be 9 Feb.
F.
AAAS Replacement. President
Slack visited with J. Cook about nominations and Cook suggested three names (S.
Coakley, D. Gilchrist, and S. Tolin). S. Slack read a note from Cook concerning
the Section O meeting. After some discussion, it was agreed to ask D. Gilchrist
to be the representative of both Sections G and O. S. Coakley is the alternate
choice. ACTION. S. Slack will extend
the invitation.
H.
Market Branding –
Committee Established. S. Slack reported that the committee has been
established, but he has received no correspondence yet.
I.
AIBS Proposal. J.
Fletcher reviewed her report to Council (attachment
#2) and the AIBS proposal for a Public Issues Council (attachment #3). She noted that the proposed assessment is
voluntary. It would be $5,000 for APS. They are asking for a minimum three-year
commitment. It may be possible to negotiate a lower rate. They would like a
response by the end of November. The money commitment will not be needed until
next year. Discussion included whether the Public Policy Board (PPB) could use
this group as a Washington presence. Although they are not currently in tune
with many agriculture issues, they may be willing to include them. N. Van Alfen
noted one of their issues is sustainability and environmental quality and that
agriculture is a huge part of this issue. He indicated that this might be a
great opportunity to do something very positive. There was more discussion on
partnering with other societies. The Weed Science Society has been helping us
some with their public policy person. They are not interested in a formal
partnering now, but may be in the future. It was noted that the AIBS people
involved in the Public Issues Council would be scientists. ACTION. J. Fletcher was asked to get further comments and send a
summary to Executive Committee for possible discussion at midyear. J ACTION. Fletcher will also seek input
from O.W. Barnett. ACTION. This item
will also be placed on the next Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) agenda.
2.
Italian Scientist
Petition Action
O.W. Barnett is trying to contact G.P. Martelli, an Italian plant pathologist who is a member of APS for his perspective on the situation. We will hold a news capsule article and letters until we receive a response from him.
3. CAST & Institute for Conservation Leadership proposal for 3/2001
Bob Ver Straeten from CAST is asking for an expression of interest in a March 2001 pilot workshop. There is a participant fee but some of the expense is paid by a grant. S. Slack replied indicating APS’s interest. This would be a long-term leadership program with seven other groups. We would have 3-4 participants. S. Nelson will be meeting with the planning group on 16 November in Eagan. The funding is from a Kellogg grant. ACTION. S. Slack asked S. Nelson to report to Executive Committee following the planning meeting so a response can be made.
1.
Review of
10/25/2000 minutes (continued)
A.
NPPB Report. J.
Sherwood reviewed the highlights of the report (attachment #4) including the name change to the Public Policy
Board, the expansion of membership (adding the president, president-elect and
vice president to the board), the shortening of term length, and the removal of
the word federal from the charge.
B.
Industry Advisory
Committee Meeting. N. Keen previously sent the minutes of the IAC meeting
to all of Council (attachment #5). He
reviewed items from the meeting. A board is to be formed with seven members
structured similarly to OPAE. They are requesting the chair to be a member of
Council. The Sustaining Associates and Industry Committees will become
subcommittees of the board. The solicitation of funds issue was not fully
discussed. They would like input from the Meetings Board. It was noted that the
Private Practitioners Committee is currently not a part of the structuring
proposal. This proposal will have to be interfaced with the Governance
Committee. Industry has a member on this committee.
D.
Meetings Board. J.
Fletcher referred to the 11/13/00 draft of the proposal (attachment #6) previously sent. She provided some background on the
report. A “proposal form” has already been drafted. There was a question on why
the APSnet Education Center, which has a journal, is part of the Meetings
Board? Perhaps they would be best included in the Publications Board. There is
a need to settle this issue even if it is by evolution. ACTION. G. Schumann and T. Murray will be invited to the midyear
Publications Board meeting. It was suggested that the Executive Committee make
a recommendation on the Meetings Board for action at midyear. Council approval
will be needed before positions can be filled. ACTION. The proposal will be sent to the Meetings Board and Council
members for comment.
G.
APS Secretary. A
list of nominees was circulated by e-mail. Discussion on the candidates
occurred and they were ranked. ACTION. President
Slack will contact the candidates in ranked order.
5.
Center for
Agricultural Microbes: Pathogens, Parasites & Symbiotes (CAMPPS)
S. Slack referred to the information previously sent (attachment #7). They are looking for a letter of support from APS. N. Van Alfen recommended we take time to discuss the issue more thoroughly. There is a Fungal Genetics Stock Center already in place. There was also a question as to how this would affect ATCC? J. Sherwood noted that while it looks good on paper, it should have full Council discussion. ACTION. S. Slack will write a letter indicating we need more time for discussion and expressing our concerns about the potential overlap with the above stated repositories.
4.
Phyto News Advisory
Board
G. Schumann and R. Mulrooney need to be replaced. J. Andrews automatically goes on the board. The board has not been particularly active, but M. Bjerkness uses them as a sounding board. There was a question as to when R. Nyvall’s term as editor is over? ACTION. He should be asked for comments on this issue. ACTION. Comments should be solicited from full Council and put on the next conference call agenda.
6.
CSSP/CoFARM Meeting
Who should attend this meeting? J. Sherwood is going to the CoFARM meeting. N. Van Alfen is going to the CSSP meeting because he is a committee chair. N. Van Alfen thought it was worth attending and encourages participation when possible. Van Alfen and Sherwood will report on this meeting during the December conference call. ACTION. S. Slack will talk to J. Fletcher about attending as well. Since Sherwood and Van Alfen are already attending, she probably does not need to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. CST.
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas J. Jardine
Secretary, APS