Southern Division American Fisheries Society EXCOM Meeting Minutes February 2003

President Jeff Boxrucker called the EXCOM Meeting to order at 0802. Secretary/Treasurer Dick Luebke determined there was a quorum present. Dave Rizzuto (TN) was an official proxy for Gary Hickman. President Boxrucker recognized Past Presidents Rich Noble, Fred Harris and Mike Van Den Avyle as well as AFS executive director Gus Rassam. Fred Harris was also noted as current AFS president.

AFS Executive Director’s Remarks: Dr. Rassam remarked that he and Fred Harris have met with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding implementation of their strategic plan. He also mentioned that federal agencies are having fiscal problems and AFS has had some difficulty in getting funding that had been allocated for some programs. The Aquatic Protected Areas Symposium in Quebec in 2004 is generating a lot of enthusiasm. The AFS book program is really doing well. Additionally, AFS is archiving all journals electronically. Finally, Dr. Rassam mentioned that Christine Fletcher would be in attendance throughout the weekend to discuss the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, which is designed to match high school juniors and seniors with mentors during the summer.

President Boxrucker introduced the other Southern Division officers: Larry Connor, Vice President, Steve Filipek, President-Elect, and Dick Luebke, Secretary/Treasurer.

AFS President’s Remarks: Mr. Fred Harris applauded AFS Bethesda staff for being so helpful to him during his tenure as an AFS officer. He has noticed that science has advanced enough that we can now approach fisheries on a watershed basis and that we could combine efforts with other disciplines. Professional societies may be able to collaborate through symposia and workshops to share ideas on watershed management. Mr. Harris encouraged members to attend the national meeting in Quebec and the World Fisheries Conference in 2004. Finally, to have a more successful membership, membership must be diversified. The Chapters are still the best place for active recruitment.

President’s Report: The majority of Jeff Boxrucker’s time has been spent on the leadership development programs. The EXCOM met with SEAFWA directors regarding program changes to revitalize the conference. Technical needs for fisheries are being met at the Spring meeting but the SAFWA offers a unique opportunity to have workshops that are beneficial to fisheries, wildlife, and law enforcement. Some changes can be expected. Most Division business have been moved to the Spring Meeting instead of the SEAFWA. The business meeting at the SEAFWA should be discontinued and better use that time. Voter turn-out was a little better last year (11-12%)

President-Elect’s Report: Steve Filipek indicated his report would stand as printed in the Briefing Book.

Vice President’s Report: Larry Connor indicated his report would stand as printed in the Briefing Book. He added that the updated Procedures Manual would be completed in a few weeks and it would be posted on the Division’s web site as well as e-mailed (PDF) to Division leadership.

Secretary/Treasurer’s Report: Dick Luebke indicated his report would stand as printed in the Briefing Book. Larry Connor then moved and it was seconded by Elise Irwin to approve the EXCOM minutes from the October 2002. The motion carried. Also included in the Briefing Book is the 2003 budget which was approved by EXCOM in October 2002. The following amendments to the budget were made.

Adding $1,000 to donate to the Hutton Program. The motion was made by Larry Connor and seconded by Dave Rizzuto. The motion passed.
Adding $1,000 to donate to the Western Division to assist in the formation of a Mexican Chapter and assist in travel to San Diego. The motion was made by Steve Filipek and seconded by Dave Rizzuto. The motion passed.
Increase the amount allocated toward Leadership Training from $1,500 to $1,750. The motion was made by Dave Rizzuto and seconded by Pat Mazik. The motion passed. Dennis Reicke suggested that the Secretary-Treasurer maintain records of money spent on developing Leadership Program. In February, 2001, Duke Power donated $5,000 toward this effort.
Increasing the amount given to help fund the Student Colloquium from $600 to $1,000, (thereby changing the amount given to the Student Affairs Committee to $5,000). The motion was made by Larry Connor and seconded by Vic DiCenzo. The motion passed.
The $1,000 Jack Dequine scholarship is actually part of a Duke Power donation.

Chapter Reports:

Alabama – Elise Irwin reported their chapter is meeting soon and will have slate of officers.

Arkansas – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Auburn University – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Florida – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Larry Connor reported that the Chapter added $500 to the donation reported in report.

Georgia – None given.

Kentucky – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book..

Louisiana – None given.

Mississippi – None given.

North Carolina – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Jeff thanked Shari Bryant for the job well done in hosting this meeting.

Oklahoma – None given. Jeff reported that they recently held their meeting and had another workshop on pond management as an outreach to the public and they will be hosting the 2004 spring meeting in Oklahoma City.

Potomac – None given.

South Carolina – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. A representative added that their newsletter has been resurrected and the website has been updated.

Tennessee – Dave Rizzuto mentioned several corrections to the report in the Briefing Book. A live auction raised $2,000 to assist in perform 10 fishing rodeos reaching more than 2,000 kids. The 2007 spring meeting will be in Memphis.

Texas – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Fred Jannsen mentioned that the recent annual meeting had record attendance thanks in part to marine scientists.

Texas A&M – None given.

Tidewater – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Virginia – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Week long float trip will be done on Shenandoah River as outreach event to learn about watershed. Also, the Outreach committee is working on membership initiatives such as brochures and powerpoint presentations.

Virginia Tech – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Jeff commended John Kilpatrick for his handling of the newsletter.

West Virginia – Pat Mazik added that a new student subunit was formed and they are hosting the 2003 Colloquium. Pat and Stuart put on a workshop for the WV DNR on using PowerPoint.

Student Subchapters – None given.

Standing Committees:

Audit Committee Report – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Awards - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Mail Ballot - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Jeff added that mail ballot went out later than planned but the election went well anyway. Mail ballot should continue to be sent out in June.

Membership – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Nominating – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Dave added his thanks to those willing to serve.

Program – Report stands as added to the Briefing Book. Steve thanked the many folks from North Carolina for a job well done. Sites for the Spring meeting have been determined through 2007. John Galvez agreed to be SEAFWA Associate Editor again but because of a job change, Pat Mazik has agreed to help out.

Resolutions – Elise Irwin reported no resolutions were submitted this past year. The Auburn Chapter passed a resolution at their recent meeting.

Student Affairs - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Stuart recognized his committee. Twenty rooms were provided for eighty students and 62 students involved in the student-mentor luncheon. This fall, the Student Colloquium will be in West Virginia.

Ad Hoc Committees:

Anniversary – Rich Noble reported that his plenary session presentation in Baltimore was received well. Mike Van Den Avyle noted that the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Scholarship Award arose out of the Anniversary Committee. Jeff noted that there were 42 applicants for the Scholarship. As of this meeting, the Anniversary Committee’s mission was completed and the committee will be dissolved.

Leadership Development - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Technical Committees:

Aquaculture – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Instream Flow - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Nongame Aquatics - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Pollution – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Reservoir - Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Small Impoundments – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Striped Bass – None Given.

Trout – The report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

Warmwater Streams – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. John Copeland recognized the Education Section, Fisheries Administrators Section and the Fish Management Section for money donated to help distribute the Warmwater Streams video. The Committee is thinking about purchasing a canoe for a raffle item at the Oklahoma meeting and the money would then go to the Jimmie Pigg Scholarship.

Appointed and Elected Positions:

AFS Nominating Committee Representative – Bill Fisher served in this capacity. Fred Harris informed everyone that the two candidates for 2nd Vice President were Jennifer Neilsen and reggie Harrell.

Newsletter Editor – None Given.

SEAFWA Proceedings, Fisheries Editor – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book.

SEAFWA Director’s Liaison – Report stands as presented in the Briefing Book. Mike Van Den Avyle added Alabama was given the ability to run the meeting as they wish so it would be best to support this meeting and focus on issues and topics that pertain to agency staff and professionals. For example, joining with the Wildlife Society to have a workshop on watershed management would be most appropriate for the Southeastern. Additionally, a meeting in Alabama could have a pond management workshop. Jeff and Pat Mazik discussed changes in the guide for authors for the Proceedings and also in getting the Proceedings out by the next meeting.

Watson Award Committee Representative – None given.

New Business:

Formation of an Ad Hoc Ictalurid Technical Committee – President Boxrucker stated that the North Central Division is garnering support to form a sister committee in their division and would like to interact with catfish researchers in the Southern Division. Some of the need for this is from the introduction of blue and flathead catfish in the southeast. Plans are underway to have a catfish symposia at the Oklahoma City Spring meeting in 2004 to bring the two Divisions together to share ideas and work. Elise mentioned that the focus of the committee would not be restricted to sportfish but would include nongame catfish and madtoms. Once committee becomes established, start-up money from the Division can be discussed at the Fall EXCOM meeting in Alabama. The formation of the ad hoc committee is at the pleasure of the President.

Larry Connor moved and Fred Janssen seconded to adjourn the EXCOM meeting and the motion carried. President Boxrucker adjourned the meeting at 1014.