University of Tennessee Classroom Facility, Knoxville Center The Board meeting of Discover Life in America was convened at 9:30 A.M., December 18, 1998. Attending: John Pickering Mary Johnson Williams Frank Harris Rex Lowe Elizabeth Skillen Norm Johnson Mike Sharkey Charles Maynard Susan Riechert John Morse Terry Maddox David Scanlon Tom Kiernan George Briggs Peter White Jody Flemming Visitors: Phil Francis Becky Nichols Keith Langdon Karen Ballentine Ken Voorhis Luciana Musetti Chuck Parker Absent: Glenn Bogart, Boyd Evison, Meredith Lane, George Stuart
A motion to approve the Bylaws was introduced by Tom Kiernan and seconded
by Frank Harris. The Bylaws were unanimously approved after Article 1,
section 2 was changed to read "The purpose for which this corporation is
formed is as set forth in the corporation's Articles of Incorporation.
John Morse was appointed Parliamentarian.
Frank Harris introduced a motion regarding the use of Robert's Rules of
Order which was seconded by Mary Johnson Williams. The Board would adopt
a philosophy to operate by consensus when possible, and use Robert's Rules
of Order only when necessary. The Chairman will decide when to invoke
Robert's Rules. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mary Johnson Williams motioned to renew all expiring Board terms for threee
years. George Briggs, Frank Harris, John Morse, David Scanlon and George
Stuart were unanimously re-elected. Mike Sharkey will see if Meredith Lane
is interested in serving another term.
The Board considered a rain-check for Boyd Evison, and the Nominating
Committee was charged with drafting a policy for dealing with absences by
the May 15, 1999 meeting.
John Morse motioned and Mike Sharkey seconded the motion to give Elizabeth
Skillen full Board membership. The motion was unanimously approved.
Frank Harris motioned to open Board membership to students at appropriate
and balanced levels. The motion was unanimously approved.
John Pickering nominated Irven De Vore for Board Membership and Frank
Harris seconded the motion. Irven DeVore was unanimously elected to the
Board of Directors.
John Pickering requested that the Board provide names of membership
candidates to the Nominating Committee by March 15, 1999. He also asked
that the Committee Chairs fill out their Committees.
The Chair nominated the following Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs:
Science John Morse and Peter White Communications Tom Kiernan, George Briggs and George Stuart Development Frank Harris and Mary Johnson Williams Finance Charles Maynard and David Scanlon Education Glenn Bogart and Susan Riechert Information Norm Johnson Management Nominating Mike Sharkey(Chair), Glenn Bogart, Rex Lowe and George Stuart
The Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs were approved by unanimous consent.
The following officers were approved by unanimous vote:
Chair John Pickering President Mary Johnson Williams Vice Chair Peter White Vice President Frank Harris Secretary Tom Kiernan Treasurer Charles Maynard
Science- Peter White and John Morse
The Science Committee reported that the DLIA meeting produced abundant raw
materials and was enthusiastic and engaged. Mr. White discussed the need
for a strategic plan and offered to serve with optimism and cheerfulness.
John Morse reported that each twig was independently developing a pilot
project with work scheduled to begin on March 1, 1999. The objective of
these projects is to complete an inventory of some well known groups. The
resulting finished products will demonstrate how much we can learn about
less well known groups.
Communications- Tom Kiernan
Tom Kiernan discussed the need for a uniform public relations plan and a six
month timetable for developing marketing strategies/frameworks. Phil
Francis suggested that DLIA register/copyright its name.
Development- Mary Johnson Williams
Mary Johnson Williams discussed plans to pursue funding for the $150,000
matching grant with TVA, Eastman Chemical, Fuji Film America and
Foundations. The "labrats" need to come up with a current cost estimate
for the propesed Twin Creeks facility. Ms. Williams will present a long
range strategic development plan at the May Board meeting.
Education- Ken Voorhis (for Glenn Bogart)
Ken Voorhis presented a draft mission statement for the Education Committee
and an action plan for Educational efforts over the next several years. The
Committee emphasized the need for an Education Coordinator in order to
implement the action plan.
Information Management- Norm Johnson
Norm Johnson discussed the need for a policy on DLIA membership requirements
and data sharing. He also outlined a plan to seek NSF funding to help pay
for hardware, software and personnel in information management. The board
unanimously endorsed seeking the grant.
15:30 Adjourn
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