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SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY SEEKS INPUT FROM MEMBERS ON POLICY GUIDANCE

The Policy Committee has been extremely active this year. In June 2000, the SCB Board of Governors voted to create a executive office of SCB (and eventually a policy function). At the same time, the Board asked the Policy Committee to develop interim guidance for the policy decisions and activities of SCB during the transition to an Executive Director and policy staff. The Board requested that the Committee present that guidance in draft form to the Board and membership at the 2001 Annual Meeting in Hilo, Hawaii.

The Policy Committee held a retreat in Washington, D.C. in November 2000 and conducted detailed discussions that led to development of its recommendations. The committee then drafted a document explaining the policy guidelines. This document was presented to the Board of Governors at its meeting on 29 July, to the SCB membership at a special workshop during the Annual Meeting on 30 July, and again at the SCB business meeting on 31 July. Comments received at all three forums have been incorporated into the current draft.

In an effort to obtain as much input as possible, SCB is posting the draft on its website until 31 October 2001 for additional member comment. Members can make comments on the draft guidance simply by accessing the SCB homepage (www.conservationbiology.org) and following the links and instructions. After consideration of all member input, the Board of Governors will vote on whether to adopt this guidance for the policy work of SCB.

One frequently asked question is whether SCB still publishes Resolutions on policy issues. As of nearly three years ago, the Board of Governors voted to stop considering and issuing resolutions. Their experience was that, despite the importance of the conservation issues themselves, the process was time-consuming, full of conflict, and rarely resulted in a consensus position of the Board or SCB. Perhaps most important, it had little measurable effect on the subject issues. The draft policy guidance is intended to help identify some effective alternative mechanisms.

Questions or thoughts on the Policy Committee should be directed to the Chair of the Committee, Michael O'Connell, at moconnell@tnc.org. The committee welcomes input from SCB members at any time.

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