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Dear BSA Members

Good morning! January 2005 Newsletter from the BSA Office:

1. Plant Science Bulletin Request for Assistance.
2. Thank you!
3. Botany 2005 Abstract Submission site is now open.
4. BSA Centennial - 2006
5. AJB Manuscript Submission Process.
6. Call for Nomination of Officers
7. Call for Nominations - BSA Awards
8. Membership Renewal
9. BSA & Member Announcements

1. Plant Science Bulletin Request for Assistance
Fellow BSA members: As a follow-up to the botany in US universities survey we did a year or so ago and published in the Plant Science Bulletin, I’d like to take a closer look at the "botany" students are getting in our introductory-level courses. In the next week or so, many of us will be putting together our syllabi for the coming term. If you are teaching an introductory-level botany course or an introductory-level biology course (for either majors or non-majors), I would appreciate it if you would send me an electronic copy of your syllabus(i). I’d also appreciate any anecdotal comments you’d like to share about teaching botany to your students. Thank you in advance and I hope you have a GREAT 2005! - Marshall D. Sundberg, Editor Plant Science Bulletin, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University Emporia, KS 66801, ph 620-341-5605, FAX 620-341-5607, email sundberm@emporia.edu

2. Thank you!
Thank you to all who contributed so generously to the BSA Endowment, Award Funds and to the sections and sectional funds. Over the past few years we have had close to $50,000 gifted to the Society. This trend has been lead by the past Presidents of the BSA who jointly contributed over $20,000. I ask all members to consider the important role the BSA (and the AJB) play in the continuing evolution of the plant sciences. In a fast changing publication environemnt I suggest gifts will likely become a vitial component in assisting us to move forward with our mission, including securing the long-term future of the American Journal of Botany.

3. Botany 2005 Abstract Submission site is now open
Yes, it is time to start thinking about Botany 2005. The Abstract submission site is now open and can be found at: http://2005.botanyconference.org/engine/login.php?next=abstract. The overall submission format has changed slightly. Six presentation options are available, and each presentation requires an abstract (CONTRIBUTED PRESENTATIONS: Oral Paper, Poster, Discussion Session, Education Forum Session; INVITED PRESENTATIONS: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation, Special Lecture). Please see the notification via the link listed below. We've made the process simpler and hopefully a more enjoyable experience. Please let us know what you think. Your feedback is most appreciated (wdahl@botany.org).

The deadline for abstract submissions is April 1, 2005 (the abstract submission process will open January 5, 2005). All abstracts and the final program will be available online at the BOTANY 2005 web site prior to the conference, and hard copies will be distributed on-site to all conference registrants. The "CALL fro ABSTRACTS" can be found at: http://www.botany.org/newsite/reporting/Call_for_Abstracts_(2005).pdf

4. Botanical Society Centennial - 2006
The Centennial Committee is considering the overall theme for Botany 2006 and would appreciate your thoughts on the matter. The two suggestions on the table at the moment are "Green World, Blue Planet" and "Looking to the Future - Conserving the Past". What do you think? Please send your comments and/or suggestions to wdahl@botany.org.

5. AJB Manuscript Submission Process
Judy Jernstedt and the Editorial Team of Beth Hazen and Claire Hemingway are currently in the process of revising the "Instructions for Authors" for the Allentrack Manuscript Submission site. They will also be looking at ways to improve the process itself as well as the user interface. If you have any helpful comments or suggestions please send them to Claire at: chemingway@botany.org.

6. Call for Nominations - BSA Officers
Nominations for President Elect and Program Director are close February 15, 2005. The nominations form is located on the BSA website at: http://www.botany.org/newsite/reporting/mail/f04officers.pdf

Please forward nominations to:
Dr. Linda Graham
Department of Botany
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI 53706
E-mail: lkgraham@wisc.edu

7. Call for Nominations - BSA Awards
Nominations are open for the awards listed below. The links lead you to the information and criteria available for each award. Please take the time to recognize the outstanding botanical works of your peers, colleagues, students and mentors.

MERIT AWARD - http://www.botany.org/newsite/reporting/mail/f04merit.pdf
C. E. BESSEY TEACHING WARD - http://www.botany.org/newsite/reporting/mail/f04bessey.pdf
GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS - http://www.botany.org/newsite/reporting/mail/f04bsagrad.pdf
YOUNG BOTANISTS OF THE YEAR AWARD - http://www.botany.org/newsite/reporting/mail/f04yby.pdf

8. BSA Membership Renewal
We had a great start to the year with membership up roughly 10% over this time last year. If you have yet to renew you may do so online at: https://secure.botany.org/secure/default.asp?lType=2 http://www.botany.org/newsite/announcements/

As a new set of classes start, remember that it is a great opportunity to take the time to invite prospective new members to join the Society. Our membership benefits are listed on the BSA website at: http://www.botany.org/newsite/membership/benefits.php.

The website link when inviting people to join the BSA is: https://secure.botany.org/secure/JoinRenew/Page_1.asp?New=Yes

9. BSA & Member Announcements
Please take the time to review the announcements online at: http://www.botany.org/newsite/announcements/

Current listings include:
Elizabeth E. Bascom Fellowships in Botany for Latin American Women
Alwyn H. Gentry Fellowships in Botany for South American Researchers
25th Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
22nd Mid-Continent Paleobotanical Colloquium.......

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Bill Dahl
Executive Director
Botanical Society of America
4475 Castleman Ave.
PO Box 299
St. Louis, MO 63166
Phone: (314) 577-9566
FAX: (314) 577-9515
www.botany.org