Dear xx

Good morning! As chair of the BSA's XX Section, we'd like your input and support.

1. The past-Presidents are beginning to receive nominations for corresponding members--distinguished senior scientists who have made substantial contributions to botany and who live outside the U.S. We would appreciate nominations from your section, and we would also appreciate knowing if any of the current corresponding members (listed at http://www.botany.org/bsa/membership/corresp.html) are deceased. Nominations should include a letter summarizing the nominee's contributions, a current CV, and letters of support from BSA members and/or other distinguished national and international colleagues. Corresponding members receive all of the privileges of regular members, so this is a substantial honor.

Best regards, Linda Graham
Immediate Past President
Chair, Corresponding Members Committee

2. Is your section planning ahead for Botany 2005? Please ensure the XX section has plans in place now to support student attendance and/or participation at this year's conference. This is a good way to use up any excess cash in your sectional account. If the BSA office can support you in any way in reaching out to students (email to your section, email to the membership...) please send an email to wdahl@botany.org for assistance.

3. Please note: The BSA office provides payments as requested by the sections/committees for the reimbursement and/or the costs associated with 1.) BSA and/or Section sanctioned activity, 2.) travel awards sanctioned by the Society and/or a Section, 3.) Society and/or Sectional Awards (non-travel), and for the 4.) payment of BSA and/or Sectional sanctioned honoraria. In doing so we must comply with IRS regulations. When requesting payments please use the BSA CHECK REQUEST FORM located at http://www.botany.org/supportdocuments/ReimbursementForm.pdf. You may want to review the form before establishing your activities. In particular be aware of the criteria associated with awards/honoraria greater than $600.

Thanks for your time!

Sincerely

Bill Dahl