Message from SAS President, Chris Nixon.
May 11th will be our last membership meeting of the spring, and with it comes new beginnings. We are excited that our speaker, Mark Mariano will be informing us about wetlands in the Last Best Flyway, including the Butte area of the Pacific Flyway, as Butte and the former Pintler Audubon Chapter is now merged into the Sacajawea Audubon Society coverage area. Thus, this is a very timely presentation and pertinent to our chapter.
Also, this is when we will elect SAS Officers and Board Members. The majority of the board members hope to continue in their positions. Vicki Saab will not be seeking re-election and Ken Sinay has stepped down from his position. Huge thanks to Vicki and Ken for their commitment and service to the chapter! This leaves two open seats on the SAS Board.
It has been a pleasure to serve as SAS President for the past six years. I will be stepping down as President but hope to remain on the Board as Past President and return our organizational structure to how it traditionally operated. In that tradition, Vice-President (currently Doug McSpadden) would step into the President’s seat for the coming two years. The incoming Vice-
President would then, after two years step into the role as President. As the Vice-President’s position will soon be available…. are you the individual to fill that seat? Or do you have in mind someone that would be a great selection for that position? Please contact me if you wish to share your thoughts on the matter.
SAS continues to grow in numbers, in territory, and in the scope of its projects and with its impacts on the area and region. YOU are among the individuals that make that happen through your donations of time, attendance, expertise and financial support. There is a place for you within SAS. If you have yet to determine just where you fit in, please contact me. If you have interest and ideas you are convinced SAS should be addressing— that could be your role and place within SAS. I find that the Board is always willing to consider new ideas and is supportive of those with a vision and drive to make important progress happen for ornithology, conservation or just the existential enjoyment of birds.
I encourage you to read through this newsletter and be in tune with the birds and all that SAS has underway. There is a summer of excitement and fun just waiting for you with and within SAS!
