MemCttee_Feb2018

From US, Dial: 1-877-820-7829
From Singapore, Dial: 800 616 3166Passcode: 407326
In Attendance: Tomoko Steen, Wai Yin Pryke, Doug Holland: Carolyn Sheffield

Agenda

• Review of new members 2017-2018
• Member
  Yale University
  Affiliate Members
  Oak Spring Garden
  Senckenberg Nature Research Society

• Processing Member & Affiliate Applications - instituting a procedure for timely turnaround. For example "Membership Committee will forward recommendations on action to the Executive Committee within X business days of receiving an application"

Decision was to have a maximum of 7 days to respond by email vote. If there is some concern or dissension about the applicant then a conference call will be scheduled ASAP to resolve issues.

• Managing Potential Partner Inquiries
  • Google Doc:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xvpp_98BEcxS-qNF0MoZenakPiyWsw9ZyNVgvUeXJqw/edit?usp=sharing

• Gemini Issues:

http://biodiversitylibrary.countersoft.net/workspace/571/items

Membership_OpenIssues_05feb2018.xlsx

• Preparation for Annual Meeting
  • Topical discussion topic ideas and goals.
    • 1. Membership growth? How to jump the gap between the ability to support the members that we have now and getting enough members so we have the income to build the infrastructure to support those members.
    • 
      
    • We need to try to encourage full members or affiliates who express and appear to be able to become full members
    • Should we target specific collections or institutions?
    • Take stock of strengths to find areas were we should focus search
    • Target unique collections
    • Make a list of institutions worldwide. Tomoko action item
    • Inclusive or exclusive strategy for membership development? Perhaps by making membership more exclusive and targeting specific institutions we could have better luck recruiting.
    • Should we continue the Affiliate level of membership?
    • Should we be much more stringent about accepting affiliate members. We should look for capacity and resources to become a full member. Or outstanding collection that makes the subsidized membership level worthwhile.
    • 
      
    • 2. Should we look at new membership tier or structure?
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    • 3. Brainstorming about how to build membership responsibly. What are our membership goals?
    • Language barriors are a problem for many potential members particularly in Asia
    • Countries are at different levels of development and technical capacity.
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    • 4. Potential members list. Tomoko will work on list but will check
    • 
      5. Member benefits and incentives.
    • Action item for Doug. Find documents Connie and Doug worked on re: benefits and share with Membership Committee
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  • .
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• Action Item Doug: Set up quarterly phone calls.for Membership Committee
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• Tomoko and Wai Yin terms are up April 2018. Action item Doug: Solicit for new Membership Committee members before annual meeting. If there are no takers then Wai Yin and Tomoko. would be eligible to serve another term.

1. Membership growth? How to jump the gap between the ability to support the members that we have now and getting enough members so we have the income to build the infrastructure to support those members.

2. Should we look at new membership tier or structure?

3. Brainstorming about how to build membership responsibly. What are our membership goals?

4. Potential members list.

5. Member benefits and incentives.