08/02/2006 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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From the president by Scott Milburn I would first like to start off by recognizing the great job done by our outgoing president, Jason Husveth. The Society has gained a good deal of momentum under Jason's leadership, focusing on exciting field trips, symposia, and monthly meetings, along with increasing membership numbers and revenue. Looking forward, it is important for the Society to keep focusing on what has led to this gain in interest while continuing to grow. The Society is dependent on the involvement of our membership. Many members have been stepping up in the past few years to lead field trips and organize a social hour before the monthly meetings. In the next year, we should look for ways to maintain our existing members, increase our membership, and increase committee involvement by the membership. We need to continue to offer our excellent services (programming and field trips), but we also need to modify how we deal with memberships. One idea that has been talked about for the past year at board meetings is to offer three -year memberships, rather than having to renew each year. Additionally, we need to look for ways to increase our membership numbers. One way that folks can help with this is to publicize the Society's monthly meetings by posting a list of meeting topics and times at your neighborhood plant nursery or grocery store. The Society must also increase committee involvement by the membership, including the Symposium Committee, Field Trip Committee, etc. This upcoming year's monhly programming, symposium, and field trips look very promising. I would like to thank Linda Huhn for the great job she has done organizing speakers for this upcoming year. The Symposium Committee is also starting to prepare for next year's meeting, with several potential topics, including the Prairie Coteau. Furthermore, it looks like another good year for field trips under the direction of Ken Arndt. In closing, I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve as the president of the Society and welcome input from our members. Minnesota Native Plant Society's purpose (Abbreviated from the bylaws) This organization is exclusively organized and operated for educational and scientific purposes, including the following: 1. Conservation of all native plants. 2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences. 3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant life. 4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to Minnesota. 5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation and ecosystems. 6. Preservation of special plants, plant communities and scientific and natural areas. 7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural resources and scenic features. 8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through meetings, lectures, workshops and field trips. MN NPS Board of Directors President: Scott Milburn, president @mnnps.org Vice President: Shirley Mah Kooyman, vp @mnnps.org Secretary: Daniel Jones, secretary@mnnps.org Treasurer: Ron Huber, treasurer @mnnps.org Ken Arndt, board member, karndt @mnnps.org Jason Husveth, board member, jhusveth @mnnps.org Sandy McCartney, board member, smccartney @mnnps.org Program Coordinator: Linda Huhn, 612 - 374 -1435 Listsery Coordinator: Charles Umbanhowar, ceumb @stolaf.edu Field Trips: fieldtrips @mnnps.org Memberships: memberships @mnnps.org; 651- 739 -4323 Historian /Archives: president @mnnps.org Technical or membership inquiries: contact @mnnps.org Minnesota Plant Press editor: Gerry Drewry, phone, 651 -463- 8006; plantpress @mnnps.org Updated plant identification CDs are now available Flora ID Northwest, LLC announces that its Minnesota and Great Plains plant identification CDs for PCs have been updated. MN NPS members who have purchased either or both of these CDs can get the latest update for $6 shipping and handling. Contact Bruce S. Barnes, Flora ID Northwest, LLC, 731 NW 5th, Pendleton, OR 97801; call 541 -276- 5547 (FAX 541- 276 -8405) or email: flora @uci.net New users may purchase updated CDs from the Society at $70 (Minnesota) and $150 (Great Plains).