SCB Approves Semi-Autonomy for Sections

SCB has been a global organization since 2002, but its seven regional sections remained part of a single U.S.-based fiscal entity. At its March 2015 board meeting, the Society’s board of governors realized that some sections have grown to the stage at which they could realize financial and organizational benefits by forming semi-autonomous organizations within their own regions. These organizations will remain affiliated with SCB-global, but will be able to pursue regional initiatives, manage staff, and fundraise locally with greater autonomy.

This “affiliate” model is commonly used by other international scientific societies. Its adoption by SCB signals the maturation of our vision for a truly international Society, without deviating from our commitment to remain a global organisation. “This is a great step forward to achieving the aim of having a more active international Society,” said SCB President-elect James Watson of the adoption of the semi-autonomous model.

SCB’s Oceania Section has progressed in implementing semi-autonomy, and as such has established itself as a legal organization in Australia, registered the name “Society for Conservation Biology, Oceania” (SCBO), and had its constitution approved by the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading in Australia. The Oceania Section board of directors believes that the new semi-autonomous model will provide increasing opportunity to apply for grants and achieve tax-deductibility status (a two-year process in Australia). Oceania and other sections exploring semi-autonomy will share their experiences with each other as the process unfolds.

SCB Launches Career Center
Did you know that SCB revamped its jobs board into a full-fledged career center? Check out the new SCB Career Center to access jobs from multiple sectors in the conservation arena, upload your resume so employers can find you, search job types that suit your interests and skill set, get career advice, and more! This is a great resource that we hope will help our members find the best jobs that are right for them!

SCB EO Hires Membership and Communications Assistant
The Executive Office is pleased to welcome Matt Herbert to the staff as the Membership and Communications Assistant. Prior to joining SCB, Matt was a reporter at Environment and Energy Publishing in Washington D.C. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2014 with a BA in journalism and a minor in conservation biology. He has interned at National Geographic and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

SCB EO is Moving
The Executive Office will have new digs this October, although they won’t be far from the current office. The Society has sold the row house that it’s called home since 2008 and will move into a traditional office space that accommodates our growing staff, and is more conducive to day-to-day business operations. The new office will have a conference room and space for future growth, which the current building lacks. SCB is excited to soon have the space to host brown bag lunches, symposia, and receptions for our members and partners. We hope that it will be a welcoming space for all members when they come to Washington, DC.

ICCB-ECCB on Track to be Largest Ever SCB Congress
More than 1,700 people have already registered for ICCB-ECCB, which is still three months away! The meeting will surely smash all previous ICCB attendance records. The scientific committee has accepted 2,588 abstracts from 108 countries, including more than 1,000 talks and posters! Follow ICCB-ECCB on twitter (@ICCB_ECCB) and like the meeting on Facebook for the latest news from the Congress. Note that the early bird registration deadline is 8 May. Regular registration will be open through 5 June.

SCB on Social Media
Be sure to like SCB on Facebook and follow the Society on twitter (@Society4ConBio) for the latest news and opportunities from the Society (and the Oceania section of course @SCBOceania!)

– Nathan Spillman, Marketing and Communications Coordinator