Southern Division American Fisheries Society Business Meeting Minutes February 2002

President Jeff Boxrucker called the Business Meeting to order at 0809. Secretary/Treasurer Dick Luebke determined there was a quorum present. President Boxrucker recognized Gus Rassam, AFS Executive Director, Ken Beal, AFS President and Carl Burger, AFS Immediate Past President, and other Southern Division officers Steve Filipek, President-Elect, Larry Connor, Vice President, Dick Luebke, Secretary/Treasurer, and Mike Meador, Immediate Past President. He passed on recognizing previous Southern Division Presidents because he said the Anniversary Committee would handle that during the Plenary Session.

AFS President’s Remarks: Dr. Ken Beal reported that Partnerships, Professionalism, Diversity and Visibility will be the four key focal areas of his administration. He reported that AFS is financially sound and membership is growing. He reviewed the variety of new membership categories designed to keep membership growing and encouraged student participation through AFS mentoring programs and increasing diversity. He reminded attendees about the upcoming Parent Society Annual Meeting in Baltimore.

AFS Executive Director’s Remarks: Dr. Gus Rassam indicated he was impressed with the vitality of the Southern Division chapters. The Parent Society is reaching out to marine interests especially. AFS programs are progressing nicely. Journals are once again on time and books are coming out at a higher than usual rate. He also noted that AFS would be hosting the 4th World Fisheries Congress in Vancouver in 2004.

President’s Remarks: Jeff Boxrucker reminded everyone to enjoy the Southern Division 50th Anniversary Celebration beginning with the Plenary Session. He felt the AFS is a great source of information and friends. He recommended staying active in the Society, especially encouraging students to do so. He announced that from now on this meeting would be referred to as the spring meeting rather than the midyear meeting. He thanked the Arkansas Chapter for hosting the meeting. By unanimous consent, President Boxrucker amended the agenda to allow presentation of Reservoir and Warmwater Streams committee scholarships.

Award Presentations: Gene Gilliland announced a poster on display in the lobby to recognize the award winners from last fall’s SEAFWA meeting. He then presented the Division’s Distinguished Service Award to Duke Energy Corporation for their long-term commitment to a wide variety of Southern Division activities including support for Division spring meetings.

Gene Gilliland, representing the Reservoir Committee, presented two Robert M. Jenkins Memorial Reservoir Research Scholarships, each for $1,000, to Steve Sammons of Auburn University and Bob Barwick of North Carolina State University.

Chris O’Bara, Chair of the Warmwater Streams Committee, presented the Jimmie Pigg Memorial Outstanding Student Achievement Award to William Pine of North Carolina State University.

Dana Winkelman presented the first Outstanding Student Subunit Award to the North Carolina State University Subchapter.

Bill Ensign presented three student presentation awards. The Best Student Presentation Award went to Amanda Rosenberger from Virginia Tech and the two runners up were Brian Nagy and David Bunnell.

Old Business: President Boxrucker explained that there would be a separate mail ballot sent out this spring and he encouraged everyone to complete his or her ballot and return it to improve voter participation. He also explained that from now on there would be a change in emphasis within the Southern Division meetings to where most of the business would be transacted at the spring meetings instead of the traditional fall meetings held in conjunction with the SEAFWA. He announced that mentors and mentees would be paired immediately following the Plenary Session.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried and President Boxrucker adjourned the meeting at 0900.