Hello fellow members of SNEC!
I hope this email finds you all well as we approach the holiday season.
These are very exciting times for SNEC as I have a MAJOR announcement to provide you and I have some requests for your help. First the MAJOR announcement! At our last SNEC Board of Directors meeting held on October 12, 2021 the Board voted to create an extremely relevant and important new committee within the SNEC framework, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The goal of the Committee is to discuss and take action on ways that the Chapter and the fisheries profession can become more inclusive, equitable, and diverse. The formal approved motion for this committee is as follows: “To create a new AFS Southern New England Chapter Committee called the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The goal of the Committee is to discuss and take action on ways that the Chapter and the fisheries profession can become more inclusive, equitable, and diverse. The Committee will consist of at least three members, one of which will be the President of SNEC. The work plan of the Committee will be determined annually through consultation with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and the Committee membership.” The idea for the creation of this formal committee came from Doctor Ambrose Jearld Jr.’s keynote talk at the June 28, 2021 virtual SNEC Summer Meeting.
With the creation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, we are looking for at least two SNEC members to step up and volunteer to be on this committee. As this is a newly founded and extremely relevant and timely committee, this is an excellent opportunity to participate in molding the direction of this committee. If you are interested in volunteering, please email me at [email protected].
In addition to needing volunteers for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, we are also in desperate need of some volunteers to fill some other crucial roles within the SNEC framework. Below are the current vacant positions. Please consider stepping forward and helping out.
1). Assistant Newsletter Editor (1 position)
This position would work with our current Newsletter Editor (George Maynard) on creation of the quarterly newsletter. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please email Abigail Archer ([email protected]) and George Maynard ([email protected]).
2). Professionalism Chair (1 position)
The primary goals of the Professionalism Chair are to promote and evaluate the educational, scientific, and technical aspects of the fisheries profession and to acknowledge personal and institutional achievements in the profession. Because there is a large amount of duties associated with this position, the Professionalism Chair can recruit members to assist with these duties should they wish. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please email me at [email protected]. Below are a list of the Professionalism Chair’s responsibilities:
- Overall administration of Chapter awards detailed in the SNEC Procedural Manual, notification of Chapter members of available awards, and solicits member input on nominees. Recommends award recipients to EXCOM.
- Arranges for certificates for award winners and certificate of appreciation for outgoing Chapter President.
- Distributes information on AFS Fisheries Scientist certification through various channels such as the newsletter and at Chapter meetings.
- Provides assistance to Chapter members seeking AFS certification.
- Expands the Chapter awards program through development of new annual, semiannual, or special awards as deemed appropriate by BOD.
- Administers Student Membership Scholarship Awards for students each year.
- Coordinates workshops and continuing education opportunities through collaborations with Chapter members and other regional professional societies.
- Prepares informational pieces on Chapter meetings and programs for dissemination via the Chapter’s website and newsletter, social media outlets, and/or AFS publications such as Fisheries or the Northeast Division newsletter, Fish Rapper. Takes photographs at Chapter meetings and other activities to be included in informational pieces.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this email, and I hope you will be able to step forward and help SNEC.
Sincerely;
Chris McDowell, SNEC President