This is my final written address to the membership of our society representing my thoughts from a second year as president. Most readers are likely unaware, though, that I am writing this in August due to the early September deadline for the December issue of Castanea! So I give my thanks to council members in advance of any new contributions during the last seven months of my term.
Current Status
I am pleased to report that as of 1 July 2013, the Castanea Endowment totals $287,900, the Earl Core Fund, $28,450, and the Windler Award Fund, $34,960. Through these endowments, the society is able to fund student research projects and several professional and student awards (see http://sabs.appstate.edu/about/awards for details). I congratulate this year's awardees: Stewart Ware (Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award); Joey Shaw, J. Hill Craddock, and Meagan A. Binkley (Windler Award); Clayton M. Costa (Towson University; Earl Core Student Award); Renee Fortner (East Carolina University; Earl Core Student Award), Karoline Oldham (George Mason University; Earl Core Student Award); and Gwendolyn Casebeer (University of North Carolina at Asheville; Outstanding Student Poster Award). I encourage all members to donate to our endowment funds, to nominate worthy individuals for the awards, to urge your students to join the society, and to apply for student awards.
Our Public Face
Our revamped website, hosted by Appalachian State University, was ushered in with careful attention by Treasurer Charlie Horn (see http://sabs.appstate.edu/). The scientific journal Castanea, our finest public relations tool, also has a new format, and the impact factor has increased from 0.338 in 2011 to 0.361, thanks to John Pascarella, Editor-in-Chief, and society members who serve as subject editors. John will be stepping down as editor this coming year after five years of service, and the journal has benefited so much from his stewardship. I hope everyone has enjoyed the full-color covers and new format.
The management of our newsletter Chinquapin is now in the capable hands of Joe Pollard so Dan Pittillo can now “retire!” Thank you Dan for your years of excellent service as editor. Be sure to check out the full-color electronic version of the newsletter at http://sabs.appstate.edu/chinquapin-issues.
Looking to the Future
Our decreasing membership base, now at 421, has been a concern for a decade or more. The Council has been working on a document outlining the benefits of membership in SABS but we need all our current members to get the word out and recruit new professionals and students. I suspect a very limited number of readers will see this address: A direct line of communication between president and membership via a listserve (standard with other societies) would be more effective for reaching a wider audience. Access to our society and to our membership needs to be straightforward. With the time remaining as president, I will continue to encourage the development of online membership payment options, online voting, and even an online membership database.
Thanks to All
I would like to take this opportunity to extend congratulations to new society officers and council members: Kathryn Mathews, President Elect; Brian Keener, Member-at-Large to the Council; Susan Farmer, Recording Secretary; and Joe Pollard, Editor of Chinquapin. I thank all Council members who have guided me through my term as president and all society members who have volunteered their time to serve on our various committees. If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact the Council members or me. Thank you all for your continued support of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society. I hope to see you—and your students—in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in April 2014!
