1996 Meeting

Association of Women Soil Scientists
Sixth Annual Meeting
Indianapolis Convention Center
Indianapolos, IN
Wednesday, November 6, 1996 at 4 p.m.

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Minutes 1996 AWSS Annual Meeting

The meeting informally opened at 4:00 p.m. on November 6, 1996, with introductions (see names at end). Kathy Newkirk introduced Maria Pautler as the new Executive Committee Chair Elect. GayLynn gave a treasurer's report as follows:

Checking Account $601.33
Savings Account $21.78
CD #1 $1534.58 maturity date 5/24/97
CD #2 $1313.65 maturity date 11/20/96
CD#3 1513.11 maturity date 8/26/97
Total $4984.45

Balance owed on the shirt and hat order is $2,643.41. Approximate amount collected at the conference (sales and dues) $2,142.

Kathy Newkirk described our nonprofit status and indicated that we are now incorporated. She stressed the importance of having newsletter editors a year in advance. Women in Agronomy would like our input on objectives and issues.

The following chaired these standing committees:
Scholarship - Betty McQuaid
Mentoring - Marsha Sheppard
T-shirt Sales - Cheryl Simmons
Directory - Kari Sever

Committee reports follow:

Scholarship: Betty needs volunteers. Would like decisions on a framework for selection of recipients, the value of the scholarship, possibility of outside funding, qualifications and frequency of distribution. Corporate monies donated will not affect our non-profit status. A teleconference of committee members was recommended.

ASA/SSSA: Marsha not in attendance but an award for the outstanding mentor suggested.

T-shirt Sales: Lillian Woods gave the sweatshirt and T-shirt report for Cheryl Simmons. Approximately $700 worth was sold at the SWCS meeting this summer, with orders amounting to $500. At the Tri-Societies meeting about $2,500 worth was sold. NRCS in Maryland has given them out as awards and also the Conservation Districts gave them to the winners in their land judging contest. The hats were a huge success.

Directory: An update was mentioned instead of reprinting the entire directory each year. This would be a two or three year occurrence. We will soon be in need of outside printing of our newsletter. Organizations donating monies for postage or advertisements bought by a company or organization such as "This newsletter provided by..." were mentioned. This would cut down on commercialization. Wendy Greenberg inquired about use of university faculties. Professors seem to be very supportive of SWCS. Julia Nelson mentioned the Internet as a way to decrease mailing costs.

A plea to keep us informed on address changes was made. Some people think that if the newsletter goes to their previous work address it will automatically be forwarded. This is usually not the case. Different money making endeavors were discussed. They included lapel pins, travel mugs, ties, coffee cups, and bumper stickers or patches.

The possibility of a new logo for the newsletter was raised. A contest could be held with the winner receiving membership for one year. Sheryl Hallmark-Kunickis will chair this committee.

Discussion was held on putting AWSS newsletter and information on a World Wide Web page. Being on the internet would also cut down on the printing costs. We would still have to have hard copies for those not on the Web. Those with e-mail addresses would be informed immediately and we would be better able to keep track of members who have moved.

We should invite recruiters to our meetings to inform us of positions. These positions would also be given in our newsletters.

Mary Collins (congratulations on being a "Fellow") will be our liaison to student chapters. The Membership Committee has contacted profs and sent out newsletters. A few profs have sent prospective members. Agronomy, forestry and range would be targeted.

Susan Samson-Liebig will be our representative to the Women in Agronomy Committee of ASA.

H. H. Chang, Past President SSSA, spoke about volunteers for committees. Lee Summers is the President Elect and the contact person. Discussion took place on licensing soil scientists. Who will set the standards? Not like accreditation. ARPAC certification was mentioned.

Dena Marshall stated it would be illegal for private consultants to do an on-site evaluation under certain bills being considered.

SWCS congratulated Margie and GayLynn on their poster at the annual meeting in Colorado. SWCS contacted Kathy about AWSS doing another session on women in the conservation field. The meeting next year will be held in Toronto. Myra Peak will process the needed forms. Myra made a motion to have an article about the session at the SWCS meeting with moderator and speakers to follow; Margie seconded.

Newsletter editors for next year: spring-Lenore Matula, summer-Wendy Greenberg, winter-Ellen Huntley.

Motion to adjourn by Pam Kasper; seconded by GayLynn Kinter.

Respectively submitted,
GayLynn Kinter, Secretary Treasurer

People in attendance: Dick Arnold, Nadira Balkissoon, Suzette Bunckhand, Keith Cassel, H. H. Cheng, Mary Collins, Jim Culver, Margie Faber, Chuck Gordon, Lee Gray, Wendy Greenberg, Bob Grossman, Tom Hall, Sheryl Hallmark-Kunickis, Laura Harris, Beth Hooker, Ellen Huntley, Pamm Kasper, GayLynn Kinter, Ingrid Klich, Maxine Levin, Alici McKinney, Betty McQuaid, Dena Marshall, Maria Morgun, Kathy Newkirk, Jackie Page, Myra Peak, Karrie Rathbone, Beth Rochette, Gail Simons, Lee Sommers, Karen Stelle, George Teachman, Pam Thomas, and Lillian Woods.