Section II- Organization rules: standing rules

Standing Rules

The State President shall create, subject to the approval of the State Board, such standing rules as may be deemed suitable, necessary and convenient to accomplish the aims of NPSOT as set forth in the bylaws. These standing rules may be amended by majority vote of those present at any regularly scheduled meeting of the State Board.

I. ADDRESSThe address of the Native Plant Society of Texas shall be P.O. Box 3017. Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624Telephone: 830 997-9272

II. DUESA. Dues shall be established by membership category as follows effective May 1, 2006:

Student $15Senior (age 65 $20Senior Couple (one must be 65) $30Individual $25Couple/Family $40Group $50Patron $100Benefactor $250Supporting $500Corporate Sponsor $1,000Lifetime Membership (Inc. couples) (One time payment) $1,000

B. All membership dues shall be paid to the State in full, which shall then reimburse fifteen percent of dues received to the appropriate chapter, when applicable [that chapter selected by the member, or, if none is indicated, the closest chapter,] on a quarterly basis, upon receipt of the chapter's quarterly financial report and sales tax report.

In instances when a chapter collects membership dues directly from its members, that chapter is responsible for forwarding them promptly to the State office to assure timely processing. (See information below about membership terms, benefits and renewal information.)

III. MEMBERSHIP

A. New Member Packet: The following will be sent to each new member:1. A thank you letter from the President on behalf of the State Board. 2. Information about chapter affiliation. 3. Bibliography of recommended native plant books; book order form. 4. To patron and benefactor members (new and renewing), a handwritten acknowledgment from

the VP Administration.

B. Foreign memberships: Foreign memberships will be accepted at regular membership rates plus a $5.00 charge for postage.

C. Membership terms, benefits and renewal information: Membership in the Society, which commences on the date that member's dues payment is received by the State office, is renewable annually from that initial date (expiration date is shown on the member's mailing label).

Annual membership benefits, besides voting privileges [see Bylaws Article III], include a year's subscription to the NPSOT NEWS beginning with the first issue published after that member's dues are processed.

The State Office sends renewal notices directly to each member by the end of the month before that member's expiration date, with a reminder notice at the end of the final month of membership. If the State

office within two calendar months following the expiration of membership does not receive dues, that member shall be dropped from the roll.

IV. FINANCE AND BUDGET

A. Revenue generated from sources other than membership dues, including interest on the checking account, shall be used for state activities, with the exception of the Westel program, fifty percent of which income shall be rebated to the participating chapters on a biannual basis.

B. The State will contribute $100.00 to any newly formed chapter [a new chapter which has signed on a minimum of 10 memberships] to help defray start-up expenses.

C. Financing of Annual State Meeting. The State Meeting is to be financed from State funds, through registration fees paid to the State. Expenses approved by the State Board and paid by the local chapter shall be reimbursed from State funds. Any surplus funds from the Annual Meeting shall be used for State activities.

D. Expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by Board Members may be reimbursed when so authorized (see Article Four, Section 5 of the Bylaws). Alternatively, the individual may itemize all non-reimbursed expenses and consider them a charitable gift; on request, the NPSOT state office shall provide a letter acknowledging that contribution.

E. All chapters are responsible for completing and returning to the NPSOT state office the financial reporting forms sent to each chapter on a quarterly basis. Membership rebate checks for the quarter will not be issued to any chapter before the state office, policy commencing July 1994, has received its required forms.

V. INACTIVE CHAPTERSA. Any chapter which has had no NPSOT-related activity for a period exceeding 12 months (activities

including but not limited to organization meetings, speaker programs, field trips, member services or community activities promoting NPSOT) and/or which has neglected to return the financial statements required by the NPSOT State Office shall be deemed inactive. Inactive chapters shall not be eligible for membership rebates until they have requested reactivation status from the State Board, and their request has been approved.

B.  Any Chapter that requests an inactive status can also request that Chapter funds exceeding $100.00 can be held in escrow by the State for a period of three years.  If the Chapter reactivates within three years, the money can be returned to the Chapter.   In doing so, the Chapter forfeits the $100 'newly formed' chapter contribution from the State office.  All interest accumulated on the escrow funds will be retained by the State organization.

VI. NOMINATING COMMITTEEA. At an appointed time during the annual meeting, the elected officers of NPSOT will meet with the

Chapter Presidents or their representatives to initiate the formation of a Nominating Committee and to review the desired collective qualifications for such committee's composition including: regional diversity, differing types of involvement in the native plant field, wide-ranging personal and/or professional contacts and an understanding of NPSOT organizational structure. Members of the nominating committee should have attended either a previous state annual meeting or a quarterly board meeting prior to their becoming a member of the nominating committee. Members cannot serve on the nominating committee for more than two consecutive years.

B. With the exception of the Vice President Chapter Liaison (who shall serve as ex-officio advisor to the committee and shall attend all meetings of the Nominating Committee), the elected officers will then retire from the room, leaving the Chapter Presidents or their representatives to select a Nominating Committee from among themselves. Those members selected to be on the committee are expected to attend the January, April and July NPSOT board meetings during the upcoming year and to meet separately as a group immediately prior to those quarterly board meetings even if his/her term as Chapter President expired during that year.

C. At the annual meeting, the Vice President Chapter Liaison will provide the members of the Nominating Committee with copies of the bylaw articles relating to the skills required for the officer positions.

D. The members of the Nominating Committee will then choose from their number a chairman who is responsible for the following duties:1. Arranging for written minutes of each meeting, including the first one at the annual meeting,

which shall become a part of the permanent NPSOT record.2. Communication among committee members and between the members.3. Assembling information on nominees.4. Timely notices in the NPSOT newsletter, i.e. call for nominations in March/April, last call in

May/June, and candidate statements in September/October immediately preceding the symposium.

5. Itemizing and documenting expenses incurred by the chairman for telephone, postage, copying, etc. for reimbursement.

E. Schedule: At the January pre-board meeting, the Nominating Committee should review the skills required for the officer positions and discuss potential candidates.

F. At the April pre-board meeting, the Nominating Committee should review the requirements of the various offices and discuss the qualifications of the proposed candidates received to date. At the NPSOT board meeting, the chairman should present a status report, which will include all nominations received for each office.

G. At the July pre-board meeting, the Nominating Committee shall make its final selection for the slate of officers. At the NPSOT board meeting, the Chairman shall then present the Nominating Committee's slate of nominees so that the Vice President of Publications can publish it in the September/October newsletter.

VII. DUTIES OF STATE OFFICERSAll State Officers are expected to attend the four regularly scheduled meetings of the State Board.A. President

1. The President shall represent the Society to the general public; 2. Shall preside at the Annual State Meeting and at all State Board meetings;3. Shall appoint all committee chairs not otherwise provided for, with the consent of the State

Board;4. Shall be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; 5. Shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Society; 6. Shall arrange for an annual in-house audit; and7. Shall perform all other duties incident to the office.8. With the consent of the State Board, the President may appoint such consultants, contractors or

employees as may be required for the administration of the Society business. For these services, a written contract, including annual fee structure, shall be agreed upon in advance by the State Board. Any long-term arrangements shall be renewed on a yearly basis.

B. Immediate Past President

C. President-Elect1. The President-Elect shall exercise the functions of the President during any absences or

disability of the President; 2. Shall be responsible for developing more effective ways to publicize the Society to the public; 3. Shall be responsible for public relations, press releases, and for developing media and

organizational contacts;4. Shall help to define short and long range plans for the Society for the approval of the State

Board, and shall actively work on implementing those goals;5. May be assigned other duties by the President or State Board; and6. Shall become President upon expiration of the term of office of the President.

C. Vice-President AdministrationThe Vice-President Administration shall be responsible for:

1. Maintaining a record of the proceedings of the Annual State Meeting and of all State Board meetings;

2. Maintaining and updating the Administrative Handbook;

3. Maintaining membership records, and disseminating member lists to Chapters on at least a quarterly basis;

4. Developing and updating membership materials (mailings to the membership and general public, renewal notices, acknowledgements, new member packets, standard answers to inquiries);

5. Shall be ex officio chair of Membership Committee, whose function includes developing imaginative and aggressive campaigns to attract and keep members; developing annual goals and a long-range membership solicitation to build a strong, diverse membership base.

6. Shall oversee the operations of the State office;7. Shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President or the State Board.

D. Vice-President Chapter LiaisonThe Vice-President Chapter Liaison shall:

1. Act as liaison between the State office, Chapters, and members at large;2. Assist newly formed chapters;3. Oversee Chapter-State communications, soliciting and disseminating information on chapter

activities and procedures from which other chapters may benefit;4. Develop program, organizational, and resource materials to be made available to chapters.

E. Vice President FinanceThe Vice-President Finance shall:

1. Co-sign all checks;2. Present a quarterly financial statement to the State Board and to the Chapters;3. Monitor finances on a monthly basis;4. Maintain correct accounts of the Society's receipts and disbursements;5. Deposit all monies in the name and to the credit of the Native Plant Society of Texas as ordered

by the State Board;6. Present an annual financial report to the membership at the Annual State Meeting;7. Be responsible for the safe and orderly storage of each year's financial records;8. Be ex officio chair of the Finance and Budget Committee, which committee shall include the

President, President-Elect, at least one Chapter President, and others as designated by the chair, which committee shall, prior to the January Board Meeting, prepare and propose to the State Board a budget for that calendar year;

9. Perform other duties pertinent to the office as directed by the President or the State Board. 10. Responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate filing of all financial and tax reports to State

and Federal entities.

F. Vice-President Publications1. The Vice-President Publications shall be the Editor of the official publication of the Society,

the "Native Plant Society of Texas News", which shall be issued to the membership on a regular basis;

2. Shall, in cooperation with the Vice-President Administration, develop and update membership and promotional materials;

3. Shall serve ex officio as Chair of the Publications Committee, composed of no fewer than three members of the State Board and others designated by the Chair, which shall oversee all publications of the Society other than membership materials.

G. Vice-President Education1. Manage NPSOT grant awards for students in the fields of botany, horticulture, and range

management.2. Oversee development and align with State mandated educational programs regarding native

plants for grades K – 12.3. Coordinate and support development of programs to educate individuals, businesses,

organizations, and communities as to the benefits of native plants in natural habitats and landscaping.

VIII. BOOKSTORE GUIDELINES

A. PURPOSE

1. To provide NPSOT chapters/members an avenue to acquire plant and plant related books at discount. The bookstore is to be self-sustaining and therefore accounting will be maintained separately from NPSOT. Profits from the bookstore will principally be used for continued purchases and restocking but reviewed annually by the NPSOT State Board.

B. NPSOT BOOKSTORE GUIDELINES1. The Bookstore Director will be appointed on an annual basis at the Annual Membership State

Board meeting and approved by the NPSOT State Board. Term of office will run December through November. The NPSOT Board may at their discretion retain the services of the Bookstore Director by the approval of the membership at the annual meeting.

2. The prior Bookstore Director will turn over all pertinent material to his/her successor no more than 30 days after the Annual Membership State Board meeting. This final period will allow the outgoing Director to complete accounting for sales during the Annual Membership meeting and to take care of any outstanding business.

3. Submit a budget to the NPSOT Budget Committee for the Bookstore’s upcoming year. Excess monies beyond the approved budget will be considered by the committee to be placed back into the general operating fund.

4. At the January State Board meeting the Bookstore Director will present the following:a. The current book inventory. The Director must take a physical inventory of all books

prior to the meeting in January.b. Provide Bookstore Budget to be approved.c. A current Bookstore financial status report prepared by the State Treasurer.d. Propose a list of additional books to be added to the inventory. (must have been

included in the budget) This proposed list should consider books that reflect the region being addressed at the upcoming Annual Meeting/Symposium.

5. At the July State Board meeting the Bookstore Director will present the following:a. Actual to budget performance of the bookstore.b. Propose any additional books and quantities to be added to the inventory.(not

necessarily included in the budget. i.e. books just coming on the marketplace) This proposed list should consider books that reflect the region being addressed at the upcoming Annual Meeting/Symposium.

6. Any new books being added to the inventory should be ordered, purchased, and made available to the membership by the deadline for the March/April (for books proposed at the January State Board Meeting) or the Sept/Oct State Newsletter (for books proposed at the July State Board Meeting).

7. Original invoices received will be signed by the Bookstore Director and sent on to the State V.P. of Finance within two weeks. Copies of the invoice will also be sent to the State Office Coordinator and maintained by the Bookstore Director.

8. The NPSOT V.P. of Finance on receipt of the original invoice will make payment on bookstore purchases based on the standard business terms of payment for that Vendor with a copy of payment sent to the State Office Coordinator and the Bookstore Director for their records.

C. STORAGE AND TRANSACTION PROCEDURES1. All books must be kept in a secure area and are the responsibility of the State Office

Coordinator. Any unaccounted or damaged books after the annual physical inventory must be repaid to NPSOT within 30 days of said damage or inventory.

2. A copy of all orders shipped must be sent on to the Bookstore Director weekly.3. Orders will be time stamped upon receipt and filled within 5(five) working days.4. Copies of invoices received from the Bookstore Director should be matched with the

packing/receiving slips previously received. Any irregularities should be brought to the Bookstore Directors attention immediately.

5. Upon receiving a payment from a chapter sale, notification must be passed on that same day to the Bookstore Director.

D. SALES1. Books will be sold to NPSOT members or chapters at 50% off of the wholesale discount

percentage allowed NPSOT (i.e. if books are purchased by the bookstore at a 40% discount off retail price, then they will be sold at a 20% discount off retail price).

2. Chapters purchasing a specific book(s) in bulk to be sold to members at a specific chapter/member function will be awarded an additional 10% discount.

3. All book orders are F.O.B. the state office in Georgetown and will include the cost of postage or shipping.

4. The Bookstore Director will be a regular contributor to the State Newsletter. At least twice a year the complete book list should appear in the State Newsletter. Any additions to the bookstore should be advertised as soon as practical. Any changes in postage costs for book orders will be brought to members’ attention in the State Newsletter.

5. The Bookstore Director will manage the bookstore booth at the NPSOT Annual Meeting/Symposium.

6. Chapters wishing to obtain books from the NPSOT Bookstore for the purpose of selling to the public or at a chapter/membership function must;

a. Place their order with the Bookstore Director a minimum of one month in advance.b. Arrangements for obtaining the books (by mail, pick-up, or delivery) must be

coordinated with the Bookstore Director. Chapters are responsible for all mailing/shipping costs and must make such payment before or at the time of delivery.

c. A purchase order is to be signed by both the chapter president and the chapter financial officer along with a 25% deposit for the total purchase price. The PO and the deposit must be received before books can be sent. The Bookstore Director must receive the remaining balance within thirty days upon receipt of the books.

d. Chapters may not sell their books for less than the State Bookstore price.e. Return policy. Unsold books may be returned within one month, in the same condition

they were originally sent and at the chapter’s expense. A re-stocking charge of 25% for the returned books will be charged.

f. Any chapter delinquent in payment of their book order will be sent a Request for Immediate Payment by the Bookstore Director. The Request for Immediate Payment will be sent to the chapter president and the chapter financial officer and also the state V.P. of Finance.

g. The Bookstore Director will bring any chapter not making a complete payment after 45 days to the attention of the State Board. The State Board will determine the action to be taken up to and including deactivation of the chapter.

E. RECORD KEEPING1. The Bookstore Director will maintain a working inventory of all books on hand, on order, total

purchased this year, and sold this year.2. The Bookstore Director will turn in a quarterly financial report to the State V.P. Finance that is

due with the chapter quarterly financial reports. This report will include:a. Total Sales made during the quarterb. Total Purchases during the quarterc. Total Expenses (mailing purchased books, etc.) for the quarter

3. The Bookstore Director will make a beginning and mid-year inventory of the bookstore before the January and July State Board Meetings. A copy of the inventory is to be signed by the State Office Coordinator and kept in the state office.

IX. JOB DESCRIPTION FOR WEBMASTER As approved January 21, 2006

A. The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) Webmaster reports to the Board of Directors and shall perform the following duties and responsibilities, and others as from time to time assigned by the Board.

1. Manage the NPSOT website www.npsot.org.2. Provide support and assistance to chapters for their individual websites.3. Define, create, and support the online membership database.4. Define, create, and support the online chapter database.5. Define, create, and support any other programs necessary to provide web-based functions to

support the organization.6. Administer secure access to the website for use by Board members, chapter leaders and chapter

webmasters.7. Perform backups of all online databases on a daily basis as time allows, but at a minimum on a

weekly basis.

X. JOB DESCRIPTION FOR COORDINATORAs approved January 21, 2006

A. The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) Coordinator reports to the Board of Directors and shall perform the following duties and responsibilities, and others as from time to time assigned by the Board. B. Office Administration

1. Operate the NPSOT state office during the hours 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, or as otherwise pre-arranged, observing the NPSOT state office holiday schedule listed at the bottom of this document.

2. Greet visitors during normal hours of operation or as otherwise pre-arranged.3. Process all incoming mail on a daily basis.4. Monitor and reply to telephone and e-mail messages on a daily basis.5. Provide any relevant materials or information to prospective members upon request. 6. Prepare and disseminate press releases as required.7. Maintain adequate office supplies and promotional materials.8. Manage storage of all records at state office.9. Maintain inventory of NPSOT assets located at state office.

C. Membership Support 1. Process all membership applications, renewals and contact changes on a daily basis.2. Send “New Member Packets” to all new members on a frequent basis.3. Notify members of expiring memberships on a timely basis.4. Provide any relevant materials or information to members upon request. 5. Update member contact information in the membership database as required. 6. Prepare and mail certificates for new Lifetime members.

D. Chapter Support 1. Mail NPSOT membership brochures and literature to chapters upon request.2. In conjunction with VP-Chapter Liaison, consult with and assist newly forming chapters and

reorganization of inactive chapters.3. Receive chapter quarterly financial reports and make them available online to VP-Finance. 4. Update chapter contact information in the chapter database as required.

E. Board Support1. Prior to regular and called board meetings, and in conjunction with the President, prepare

agenda for board meeting, send out notices of meeting dates, and other special mailings as required.

2. Make meeting space arrangements for the regular January and July board meetings and any called board meetings, with refreshments as required. (The Fall Symposium Planning Committee Chair arranges for the April and October board meetings in the area of the symposium.)

3. Attend all board meetings and report on coordinator status and activities as required.4. Make completed minutes available online or provide paper copy on request (minutes to be

prepared by VP-Administration).5. Prepare and send out special correspondence for the President and other officers as required.

F. Financial Duties1. Assist Board in preparing the annual organization budget.2. Gather State sales tax return data for VP-Finance.3. Gather IRS tax return data for VP-Finance.4. Establish and maintain online banking procedures used by NPSOT.5. Deposit all money received to the appropriate NPSOT account, making copy of deposit slips

available to VP-Finance.6. Work with VP-Finance to get all outstanding bills paid on a timely basis.7. Provide Audit Committee online view-only access to all financial transactions.8. Notify VP-Finance of all chapter quarterly rebate amounts due for payment.9. Calculate Westel rebates to chapters and notify VP-Finance of amounts due chapters.

G. State Newsletter (NPSOT News)1. Provide to VP-Publications the current list of Patrons, Benefactors, Lifetime Members,

Honorary Lifetime Members, and Corporate Sponsors for inclusion in the newsletter.

2. Provide to VP-Publications the current list of NPSOT Chapters and contact information for inclusion in the newsletter.

3. Provide to VP-Publications the current list of officers, committee chairpersons, and any other relevant personnel, along with their contact information for inclusion in the newsletter.

4. Provide to VP-Publications the current Native Plant Resources listings for inclusion in the newsletter.

5. Provide current membership mailing list to vendor for mailing of the newsletter.6. Interface with and invoice all newsletter advertisers.7. Send NPSOT advertising rate card to prospective newsletter advertisers upon request.

H. NPSOT Annual Meeting and Fall Symposium1. Provide Annual Meeting and Fall Symposium Planning Committee with support, advice, and

relevant information as required.2. Help the Planning Committee Chair prepare the symposium budget.3. Solicit vendors for the symposium.4. Work with the Planning Committee Chair to assemble the Symposium Registration brochure;

oversee printing and mailing of brochure to all members several months in advance of the symposium.

5. Obtain relevant information from the Awards Committee Chair and order awards plaques to assure delivery in time for the symposium.

6. Receive annual reports from chapters and distribute to President prior to symposium; compile and print for distribution to chapter leaders at the chapter leaders meeting during symposium.

7. Collate and oversee printing of the Symposium Proceedings to assure delivery in time for the symposium.

8. Arrange for liability insurance to cover the symposium event. 9. Handle and record all symposium registrations received by mail, fax, phone, email, or in person

prior to the symposium. 10. Prepare registration packets to be issued to registrants at the symposium.11. Oversee registration during the symposium. 12. Be on hand during the symposium to deal with any problems that might arise.13. Collect, accurately record, and deposit to the appropriate NPSOT bank account all symposium

income received from registration fees, sales, silent auction, or any other source.14. Provide VP-Finance and Planning Committee Chair with a detailed breakdown of symposium

income and expenses and final registration numbers.15. Provide a method for attendees to evaluate the symposium, and provide a report on this feedback

to the appropriate officers. 16. Assist Planning Committee Chair, as needed, in sending thank you letters to committee

members, speakers, workshop leaders, field trip leaders, etc.

I. Documentation1. Maintain online “Bylaws” under supervision of VP-Administration.2. Maintain online “Standing Rules” under supervision of VP-Administration.3. Maintain online “Administrative Handbook” under supervision of VP-Administration.4. Maintain online “Chapter Leaders Handbook” (to be written) under supervision of VP-Chapter

Liaison.5. Maintain online “Fall Symposium Planning Guide” (to be written) under supervision of Fall

Symposium Planning Committee Chair.

J. Store Operations1. Maintain inventory of NPSOT logo items and any other items to be sold at the NPSOT state

office, at its website, or at special events.2. Handle sales of such items, maintaining complete and accurate transaction records. Website

sales will be handled in a timely manner.3. Report on such sales to the VP-Finance and at Board meetings as required. 4. Prepare a quarterly report for the VP-Finance listing items and quantities in inventory.

K. NPSOT State Office Holiday Schedule1. The NPSOT State Office shall be closed for observance of the following holidays:

a. Thanksgiving Dayb. Christmas Dayc. Other holidays to be determined

XII. LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY FOR THE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS

approved April 8, 2006

A. PURPOSE OF THE POLICYThe purpose of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) is to promote the conservation, research and utilization of the native plants and plant habitats of Texas, through education, outreach, and example. The development and maintenance of a collection of materials at NPSOT's state office is undertaken to assist NPSOT members as they strive to achieve this purpose. This Collection Development Policy establishes principles and practices which:

1. Assist NPSOT as it adds materials to the collection and withdraws materials which no longer meet the needs of the organization.

2. Inform members and the general public of NPSOT's principles and practices.

B. TYPES OF MATERIALSInformation in any format will be considered for addition to NPSOT's collection. The collection will also include records which enable members to access information at other locations, such as listings of online sites and catalogs and bibliographies of materials in other collections.

C. SELECTION CRITERIA1. Items in the collection will normally be acquired through gifts and donations, or by direct

purchase.2. Items will be added to NPSOT's collection if they are projected to be useful for research or if

they have historical value.3. Items in the collection will normally be limited to those in the areas of Botany, Horticulture,

Landscaping, Range Management and other relevant nature topics.4. Special consideration will be given to items dealing with Texas native plants and Texas native

plant habitats. 5. Responsibility for the acquisition of materials rests with an officer or designated representative

of the NPSOT Board.

D. GIFTS AND DONATIONS1. Gifts and donations are welcome but are subject to review by a NPSOT officer or representative. 2. NPSOT reserves the right to refuse items which do not meet the selection criteria. 3. A gift to NPSOT is accepted with the understanding that the organization may dispose of the

item at any time in any manner deemed appropriate.4. A gift or a donation will not be accepted with conditions imposed by the giver, unless those

conditions are formally approved by NPSOT's designated officer of the Board of Directors.5. No conditions may be imposed after a gift is accepted. 6. Gifts and donations to NPSOT may be tax deductible and written acknowledgements of the

donation will be provided upon request. NPSOT is not responsible for establishing value. 7. A donation in memory of or in honor of an individual will be acknowledged through a bookplate

attached to the item itself or its container, as appropriate.

E. RETENTION CRITERIAItems in the collection will be retained if they continue to be useful for research or if they have historical value.

F. WITHDRAWAL 1. NPSOT reserves the right to withdraw an item from the collection at any time when it no longer

is considered to be useful for research or to have historical value. 2. Items withdrawn from the collection will be offered for sale during a silent auction at an annual

meeting of NPSOT members.3. Items remaining after a silent auction may be donated to local public libraries or other nonprofit

organizations, sold, or otherwise disposed of.

G. DISSOLUTION OF A LOCAL CHAPTER

1. If a local chapter is dissolved, its remaining collection of library materials becomes the property of the NPSOT state office.

H. APPROVAL AND REVIEW1. This Collection Development Policy was approved by the NPSOT Board on April 8, 2006.2. This Policy is subject to periodic review and revision to maintain its currency and relevancy.

Section III-Chapter information: Forming a New ChapterForming a New Chapter

Why form a NPSOT Chapter? NPSOT chapters play a vital role in helping to further the goals of NPSOT, promoting an understanding, appreciation and wider use of the native plants of Texas. NPSOT chapters across our state offer programs that help to educate the general public as well as NPSOT members within their community about the rich botanical heritage of Texas and their specific area. Chapter activities might include regular or specially scheduled speaker programs, meetings to exchange plants and ideas, seminars on plant propagation and identification, planting projects around public buildings, the development of plant lists and herbaria, and field trips.Another advantage to forming a chapter is the opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests, both locally and at the state level. Longtime members value the friendships that develop within an organization devoted to a shared goal: whether budding amateur gardeners or professionals in the field, NPSOT members have information, experiences, and enthusiasm to share. Locally, each chapter operates semi-autonomously, yet all have the built-in advantage of administrative support, and the nonprofit status of an established nonprofit organization. Each chapter also has direct representation on the State Board: each chapter president (or another individual selected by the membership of that chapter) shall serve as a director on the NPSOT State Board.

What are the criteria for NPSOT Chapters?You may form an "official" chapter by attracting a minimum of ten members [a family membership, though more than one person, "counts" only as one member] who join the state organization and choose to affiliate with your chapter. Once your chapter is established, the NPSOT state office will rebate 15% of all dues received from the members in your vicinity---even members who don't actually participate in local events. Members who live within your area and haven't indicated another chapter affiliation will be "assigned" to your chapter. These funds, paid on a quarterly basis, are intended to help fund your chapter activities. They are a "thank you" for bringing in new members to our Society and carrying the native plant message to your community.

For populations of 5000 or more, we recommend a more formal organization with a

goal of 50 or more members. In large cities, chapters will have members in the 100's. Plan from the beginning for this size, plus growth.

What are the steps involved in starting a chapter?-----Contact the NPSOT office. Our VP-Chapter Liaison will work with you long distance and can call on a member or members near to help you.-----Plan an organizing meeting. We can supply you with a printout and mailing labels of NPSOT members in your vicinity not already affiliated with another chapter. You may wish to contact those within reasonable driving distance for help in organizing the meeting, and inform those further away about your intentions to form a chapter. Make contacts with any resource people available locally: extension agents, teachers, garden clubs, park and nature center administrators, environmental-type news editor of the local paper. -----Host a meeting of all you can gather together interested in forming a chapter. You might call this the steering committee. Give each person defined responsibilities. Use the "generic" bylaws from NPSOT as a departure for a discussion and assign someone to write the final copy for the public organization meeting. Nominations for officers can be assigned to someone as chairperson with a small committee to prepare a slate of officers for the public meeting. Someone else should be assigned to publicity. You may need a volunteer to seek a speaker for your program. You'll need refreshments and a meeting room. All this should be done before the larger meeting is called. Give yourself at least four weeks so you can generate good advertising.----The importance of advertising through public media has been mentioned. You might also want to put out flyers and posters as well. Botany classes of colleges, garden clubs, local service clubs, churches, etc. might be your targets. Secure a glossy black-and-white photo of your speaker and his/her biography. This will gain attention and help draw a good attendance.----Request printed material from the NPSOT office for distribution at the meeting: Membership brochures, sample issues of the NPSOT newsletter, and other current material, such as the registration forms for the Annual Conference if it is coming up soon.-----Have a sign-in sheet for all attendees, with complete name, address and phone numbers so

that you can send them notices of future meetings.

-----Ask for donations to help defray expenses, keeping track of all your contributions and expenditures. Once you have become an "official" NPSOT chapter [that is, you have a minimum of 10 members], you will be given $100 to help defray these start up costs.

How do you proceed in organizing your chapter?Don't be afraid to organize with a small group. A formally organized group that meets regularly may attract new members more easily than a group still in the planning phase.ELECTION OF OFFICERS Once the chapter is "official", with the required 10 memberships, you'll need to elect a president and other officers. Your president or other chapter representative then becomes a voting member of the State Board of NPSOT. You will also need a treasurer (see Money Matters for Chapters further on in this section, for detailed information about financial reporting). Most chapters also choose a secretary, and chairmen for program, publicity, and other functions depending on your group's size and scope of activity. You may write your own bylaws as long as they do not conflict with those of the NPSOT state organization. In any event, do define and limit the terms of office. Try to place all non-officers on committees, to involve everyone and to help share responsibility for programs, outings, and administration. Please send a copy of any bylaws you adopt, and the names and addresses of your current officers, to the NPSOT State office.

Section III Chapter Information: Chapter Ideas

Chapter ideas

Publicizing chapter activitiesCHAPTER MAILINGS If you have sufficient funds in hand, it's very helpful to establish a regular communication system with your members. The State office maintains a membership data base of members assigned to your chapter. Your Chapter membership labels can be downloaded from this site or you can email the members of your chapter from the site. Chapter leaders can access this list through the state web site, at www.npsot.org/bluebonnet. If you need more information on accessing this information, contact webmaster@npsot.org. Some chapters send emails or postcards to local members to publicize activities; other chapters have a paper or online newsletter. NPSOT NEWS CALENDAR On the state level, the NPSOT NEWS provides information and activities around the state. The newsletter is published quarterly. Chapters are encouraged to include their activities in the NPSOT NEWS. Submissions should pertain to news/articles relevant to the Native Plant Society of Texas, such as: meeting/event notices, lectures, workshops, publications, book reviews, NPSOT business matters and articles of interest to society membership. Scientific or educational articles are especially encouraged. Deadlines are Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1. Members from other areas can sometimes attend your events, and people in your vicinity who haven't participated in chapter activities may be attracted for special events. In addition, other chapters may get ideas for activities from what you are doing.LOCAL MEDIA -----Find out who is responsible for gardening news, environmental affairs, life-style columns etc. in your local newspaper; radio station. Try to meet them personally so they will put a face with your name and with NPSOT events. ---Send items for their calendar of events according to their standard format; meet the deadlines, and check with the appropriate press person to confirm. -----Provide the paper with detailed press releases before your meetings. Include

information about the program/speaker, time and place, general information about NPSOT and your chapter, and contact person. Newspapers in many small towns, typically skeletally staffed, will often run well-written stories - sometimes verbatim. A glossy b/w photo always helps!-----After your meeting, supply the press with an article summarizing the presentation. Through this means, you can effectively educate a wide audience and, if you include in that release the subject, speaker and times for the next meeting, attract new members. -----Submit short seasonal articles about regionally special plants in bloom, tips for gardening with natives, news of landscaping projects featuring natives, etc., including a little general information about NPSOT's mission and your chapter's activities.

The Care and Feeding of Speakers - and Audiences-----Keep in mind that your speakers are donating their time and knowledge to help entertain and educate your members. Unless the business portion of your meeting is very brief, try to schedule it to follow the presentation. After an hour or so of treasurer's reports and reading of meeting minutes and planning your plant sale to be held next spring and so forth, you may have lost the attention of your more casual members - not to mention your speaker's patience. -----While few chapters are well-heeled enough to give honoraria or even reimburse speakers for travel expenses, can a chapter member offer "bed and breakfast" for the person who has traveled long-distance to an evening meeting? Might someone arrange for lunch or supper before or after, depending on meeting time? Some chapters present their speakers with a token gift; at the very least, a thank you note should be mandatory.-----When inviting speakers, emphasize the objectives of your chapter and NPSOT, to encourage them to stay within these parameters. Give priority to subjects focusing on your region, and be sure your speakers understand the

expertise level(s) of the audience. Be sure to suggest length of presentation, with time limits.-----Be very clear about date, time and place (and where to park). Suggest the speaker arrive early if there is setting up to do. Find out what visual aids or special arrangements will be needed, and be sure who is to be responsible for these. Send a map if necessary. Call to confirm the engagement and details as the scheduled date approaches.-----Ask your speakers for a bit of background information about themselves that you can use for publicity purposes and use to introduce them graciously. (You'd be surprised how many times the person introducing a speaker doesn't

even get his name right.) Make sure you have the speaker's address so you can send a thank you note. Keeps this information on file: you will likely need it again.-----A new or struggling chapter can easily be set back by an unsuccessful program. Don't take chances on speakers you don't know much about. Have a simple backup in mind in case of a last-minute cancellation. In case of a no-show, use the time for discussing chapter plans, or an exchange of native plant experience and information among members. -----Don't overlook your own members as potential speakers.

Section III Chapter information: Chapter ideas

Suggestions for chapter activities

1. Connect with groups nearby:parks, preserves, arboreta, conservation groups, extension service, SCS, Texas Forest Service, garden clubs, highway department, school and college agriculture, horticulture, environmental and botany departments; Explore areas of mutual interest: plant identification for park personnel,interpretive labeling and exhibits,illustrated plant booklets and trail guides,nature trails,community seminars,exotic pest plant identification and control,arboreta, botanical gardens,public landscaping standards, and roadside beautification,2. Conduct a native plant landscape exhibition.3. Conduct a native plant photography or art exhibition activity.4. Explore public regulations and policies on landscaping and weed control. Get model ordinances from elsewhere. Work toward environmentally friendly regulations before controversial issues arise. Consider forming an environmental coalition representing all factions in the community.5. Start a local herbarium.6. Present wildflower exhibits at flower shows, Earthday events, in public places. Produce posters and handouts, educational exhibits to use at every opportunity.7. Have a booth at fairs and festivals. Promote community events such as Earthday, historical celebrations, wildflower field days, etc.8. Promote your unique natural landscape as an economic asset.9. Rescue valuable plant materials from areas being cleared. (Most difficult part may be deciding the disposition of the plants.)10. Connect with schools and youth organizations to offer education programs and consultation.11. Develop a community nature center.12. Offer programs to local groups and schools.13. Maintain a comprehensive collection of native plant books in your local public library.14. Arrange wildflower seed collection outings (with the landowner's permission). Have seed exchanges and sales.

15. Present workshops on propagation; native plant identification; plant families; physiology16. Create a native plant calendar of when and where in your area particular native plants are in bloom.17. Promote members' use of notebooks, files & records. Design a standardized heading for written plant and how-to data so those members can accumulate organized information.18. Develop a computer library of local native plant information.19. Plan field trips to local native plant landscapes.20. Offer members opportunities to show favorite native plant slides informally.21. Invite native plant artists and photographers to exhibit their art at meetings.22. Encourage members with collections of native plant photos to label them properly and mount in albums so that other members can enjoy them.23. Promote standardized common names for local species. Encourage the use of botanical names.24. Keep program presentations and discussions focused on native plants.25. If a speaker is a no-show, be prepared to use the time to discuss chapter plans or share members' experiences.26. Have a display table near the entrance to the meeting room. Use it regularly for plant materials members bring to display or share, for books and exhibits related to the program, handouts, etc.27. Have a bulletin board for conservation news, flyers on events of interest to members, etc.28. Supplement the chapter program with show-and-tell, education vignettes, reports on community concerns, etc.29. Develop a newsletter containing a variety of information. Encourage all members to contribute.30. Plan a year's program, to offer a balance and variety of subjects to insure that all chapter objectives are included. 31. Publicize special events through the media, and put posters in all garden centers, libraries and other likely sports, to bring in a wider audience.

32. Establish and maintain a wildflower meadow, or a perennial garden. 33. Have plant exchanges and sales.34. Produce a membership directory for your chapter.35. Create plant lists of natives in your area suitable for landscaping. Expanded lists could note plant needs and landscaping uses.36. Adopt a highway. Work with your local highway maintenance personnel: point out areas of desirable plants along the right-of-way, and see if they might be designated as "no mowing" areas during critical periods of the season. 37. Share your knowledge: create a plant survey of proposed or existing parks; help plan native beds for schools and civic buildings.

38. Take field trips: to see members' gardens; to nearby nurseries specializing in native plants; and/or to local native plant habitats.39. Plant a native tree. Work with plant giveaway programs to make sure that the young trees are of native species appropriate to the area. Be sure that any tree newly planted is properly cared for, and watered on a regular basis during dry spells until it is well established. 40. Each year Chapters are asked to provide to the State an Activity Report for the year. Chapter leaders can obtain a copy of this report for all Chapters at the Annual meeting (October Symposium.) Chapters can get ideas from the past year activities of other Chapters.

Section III Chapter information: Money matters for chapters

Money matters for chapters

How are chapters funded? Chapters receive money from three sources.First, as mentioned above, you are entitled to up to $100 reimbursement for start-up expenses, from the State NPSOT office. To receive this money, your chapter must first sign on 10 family or individual memberships. Second, your chapter will receive a 15% rebate on all dues the State office receives from memberships in your area (members who either specify your chapter or live in your vicinity and are not served by another chapter); this payment is made on a quarterly basis. Third, the chapter may raise money itself by charging for programs, asking for donations, selling books, plants or other items, and so forth.

How do chapters handle their money? Once your chapter has selected officers, you should open a bank account. Here is another place where the State organization can help you. Currently, the State maintains a Chase banking account. Chase has offered to provide Chapters a banking account without fees and other benefits at your own local Chase Banking center. You must contact the State NPSOT office to be set up. However, you Chapter funds and banking will be independent from the State NPSOT funds and accounts. If you choose to use another banking institution, ask for minimal fees, because you are a non-profit organization. If you make minimal withdrawals, a savings account with limited check-writing privileges may be less expensive than a regular checking account.When opening a bank account, refer to the NPSOT tax ID number [listed on the Introduction page (I:1) of this handbook.]Your signature card should bear the signatures of the current chapter president and chapter treasurer, and should be updated whenever new officers are elected. While it is not essential, it is recommended that you require two signatures on all checks written on your chapter account.

Are NPSOT chapters tax-exempt?Yes and no. NPSOT chapters share the "nonprofit" status of the parent organization. From a tax standpoint, this means that individual chapters, like the state NPSOT organization, are exempt from Federal income

tax, and from paying State sales tax on items purchased for the organization's own use or for resale. (For example, when you buy stationery and other supplies, refreshments for chapter meetings, and purchase books or novelty items you plan to resell later to raise funds for your chapter, these items are exempt. In other words, you don't have to pay sales tax on what you buy. After making copies of our Sales Tax Exemption Certificate (in Section VII), leave one at each place of business where you pay for NPSOT supplies.But, while you don't pay tax on purchases, it is important to understand that even nonprofit organizations must charge, and in turn pay to the State Comptroller, sales tax on items that they sell. There is one exception to this rule: a nonprofit organization, and each chapter of that organization, may hold two one-day sales or auctions per year during which sales tax does not need to be collected. This means that every individual chapter may elect two tax-exempt sale days of its own. If you are planning a major plant fundraising sale, for example, you may elect that date. The Comptroller's office does not require you to report which days you are selecting, although you should be sure to document all sales with dated receipts in case a question ever arises.Exempt-days aside, what must you charge sales tax on? Basically, any tangible personal property; that includes books, plants, food (if it is heated or packaged for single-sized servings). What is not taxable? Contributions from your members: some chapters "pass a hat" during meetings to help support chapter activities. (You do need to report all such income, but it is not taxed.) The proceeds from a raffle are another non-taxable source of income: a number of chapters sell chances on donated items such as plants during their meetings. Bake sales, with whole cakes, breads, pies and other food products such as cookies or donuts wrapped in quantity, are exempt (but if the products are packaged or sold as individual servings, they are taxable!) If you aren't sure about when and if tax must be charged give us a call and we can check it through with the Comptroller.What is the minimum amount of tax that you need to report? Pennies! While the trifling sums

sometimes involved may seem hardly worth bothering with, it does matter collectively, and the organization is responsible for reporting and paying to the State all sales tax due.What financial reporting is required of chapters?Each NPSOT chapter is required to report its income and expenses and sales tax information to the NPSOT State Office. These reports need to be completed and returned on a quarterly basis, with a check for all sales tax collected during that period. By the end of each quarter, your chapter president should have received the required forms; be sure to forward them to your financial officer without delay. (Sample copies of the financial report and sales tax report are included on the following pages.) Even chapters that have had no financial activity during the period must still complete and return the quarterly financial reports indicating the balance on hand. If you fail to submit your quarterly financial report, you will not receive your quarterly membership rebate until your records are complete and up to date. We rely on each chapter to provide accurate and timely information to the NPSOT State Office, for we in turn are responsible to the Internal Revenue Service and the State Comptroller's Office for the entire organization. It is vitally important that every chapter comply with the reporting requirements, lest the organization incur penalties or even risk loss of its nonprofit status. If you have any problem in completing the forms, please contact us for help.

Annual Meeting /Symposium Schedule 1991 - 2007

In 1991, NPSOT initiated an eleven-year educational project designed to explore the ecology of the many vegetational regions of Texas, through a series of symposia undertaken in conjunction with its Annual State Members' Meeting. Each year, on the third Saturday of October, the meeting convenes in a different region which will be the focus of that year's symposium. Field trips to sites in the vicinity complement the talks, and papers presented at each symposium are published as a symposium PROCEEDINGS. While the symposium may be of special interest to NPSOT members, it is also open to the public.

The schedule for each region with sites follows, with multiple sites under consideration indicated by an asterisk:

1991 Edwards Plateau Kerrville1992 East Texas Timberlands Nacogdoches1993 Midgrass-Shortgrass Prairies San Angelo1994 Coastal Wetlands and Estuaries Corpus Christi 1995 Tallgrass Prairies Waco1996 Chihuahuan Desert El Paso1997 Rio Grande Plains (Brushland) Laredo1998 Llano Estacado and Canyonlands Amarillo1999 The Lower Rio Grande Valley Harlingen2000 Special Habitats Denton2001 Dawn of the 21st Century Austin “The Texas Biome and all its Habitats”

Continuing Symposium Schedule2002 Special Habitats Houston2003 Edwards Plateau Fredericksburg2004 Piney Woods Longview2005 Trans Pecos Big Bend Area2006 Convergence and Diversity: Native Plants of South Central Texas San Antonio2007 The Blackland and Grand Prairies Georgetown

Native Plant Society of TexasAWARDS

The NPSOT awards, presented yearly, acknowledge the achievement of individuals whose work enriches our understanding of native plants. These awards honor excellence in writing; acts of conservation and public service; lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants. More recently, its members (1992) and its chapters (1993) have instituted additional awards to recognize service to and for the Society. These honors are presented at the Awards Banquet during the October State Annual Meeting.

The CARROLL ABBOTT MEMORIAL AWARDFor writings in the popular vein on Texas native plants.

The NANCY BENEDICT MEMORIAL AWARDFor an act of conservation/public service in the field of Texas native plants. This is neither a "joiner" nor a "lifetime of service" award: it is for a specific act or acts.

The DONOVAN STEWART CORRELL MEMORIAL AWARDFor scientific writing in the field of the native flora of Texas.

The CHARLES LEONARD WEDDLE MEMORIAL AWARDFor lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants.

The LYNN LOWREY MEMORIAL AWARDFor horticultural achievement in the field of Texas native plants.

The FELLOWS AWARD For service and work by a NPSOT member for the enrichment of the Society at the state, regional or chapter level. It is intended to recognize work within the organization.

The PRESIDENT'S NPSOT CHAPTER AWARD For chapter demonstration of leadership, chapter activities that promote the purposes of NPSOT, and chapter fun with plants.

Awards Standards and Procedures:Design SpecificsWith the exception of the Chapter Award, NPSOT awards shall be a suitably engraved plaque, of standardized size, 8"x10", (2/23/93): silver-brass with black interleaf, to give a black logo and lettering image on silver. They are to be on a walnut mount with a 1" bevel on all sides. The plaques shall be engraved with the NPSOT bluebonnet logo, recipient's name, the title of the award, (short) reason for the award, date and location.A maximum of two plaques will be awarded in each award category, i.e. one plaque to a single author, two plaques to a partnership, but if there are more than two sharing an award, one plaque containing all names shall be given to the group and a certificate shall be given to each individual.The Chapter Award is a handmade quilted banner created specially for this purpose in 1993 and donated to NPSOT. The NPSOT banner is intended as a rotating honor, with the winning chapter of that year being awarded custody of the banner until the next Annual Meeting.

Recipient Qualifications1. Only those publications or acts published or performed within the past five years will be considered. 2. Only those publications, which deal with the native Texas flora, or acts of discovery, rediscovery, conservation or service, in a broad sense, on Texas soil with the native Texas flora, shall be considered for awards.

3. Publications may be books, monographs, papers, magazine articles, etc. If a paper or magazine article, it would probably record original or groundbreaking work.4. The lifetime achievement award shall be for longtime service and achievement in the collection, study, usage, writing, planting, growing, observing, etc. in the arena of the native flora of the state of Texas.5. Award recipients need not be members of NPSOT except for the Fellows and the Chapter Awards.6. To be eligible for the Fellows Award, nominees must be members of NPSOT of at least ten year's standing with a history of service to the Society at the state, regional or chapter level. 7. The maximum number of Fellows Awards which may be granted shall depend on the size of the membership: one award per thousand (or parts of a thousand) members in the Society as of December 31 of the preceding year.8. Selection for Fellows Awards is by direct vote of the membership, to those individual(s) receiving the most ballots, except that no award shall be made in the event that the top nominee(s) receives fewer than ten votes. General Rules 1. Each of the above awards may be made annually, although it is not mandated that an award be given in any category every year. An award will be given only when there is justification for it.2. No one person (team, etc.) may win more than one award in any calendar year.3. Only one award per category will be given, with the exception of the Fellows Awards. 4. None of the above shall preclude the Executive Board of NPSOT from giving awards of merit, service, appreciation, etc. to members or non-members of NPSOT.

Selection Process1. Any member of NPSOT may nominate candidates for any award (other than the President's Chapter Award - see Paragraph 8 below). 2. A call for award nominations shall be published in the March/April and May/June issues of the NPSOT NEWS which notice should include the name and address of the Committee Chairman (the Immediate Past President of the Society). Nominations will be accepted from any source, and should be submitted to the awards committee no later than June 30. 3. At the July Board Meeting, the Awards Committee shall submit to the President and the State Board for the Board's approval a list of nominees recommended for the publications, acts, and lifetime service awards, along with a memorandum showing all nominations from the membership and a list of all eligible publications reviewed. (These lists should be kept, and made available to future award committee chairs and members.)4. Fellows Awards recipients are selected directly by majority vote of ballots submitted by the membership. A ballot form for the Fellows Award shall be printed in the March/April and the May/June issues of the NPSOT NEWS. Members may vote only once, for as many candidates as there are numbers of awards permissible. Ballots should be sent to the Awards Committee Chairman, who shall appoint an ad hoc committee to count the ballots and to rule on all questions of eligibility. This committee will present the ballot results to the State Board at the regular July Board meeting. 5. Award recipients will be notified of their award by mail or telephone. 6. An award recipient is not required to accept his or her award in person al though this is certainly preferred. If the award is not accted in person, it may be mailed to the recipient or given in person to a designated substitute. 7. Award recipients are expected to pay for their own transportation and lodging, but with the exception of the Chapter Award winners, may receive a complimentary registration package (including a copy of the PROCEEDINGS, and the banquet dinner).8. The recipient of the NPSOT President's Chapter Award shall be selected by the President of the Society and announced at the Annual State Meeting. Selection shall be at the sole discretion of the President, from information provided by each chapter about its activities during the preceding year, and from other available information.

Advertising Policies and PricesRevised April 8, 2006

General: NPSOT News is an official publication of the Native Plant Society of Texas. It is published bi-monthly and distributed to all NPSOT members and associated personnel. All inquiries pertaining to advertising should be addressed to: Native Plant Society of Texas, NPSOT News Advertising, P.O. Box 3017, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624.

Mechanical Specifications:a. Trim Size: 8-1/2” x 11” (width by height)b. Full Page: 7” x 10”c. Half page horizontal: 7” x 4.875”d. Fourth page: 3.44” x 4.875”e. Eighth page: 3.44” x 2.44”

Format:a. Submit ads a pdf, jpeg or tiff files. b. E-mail ad copy or mail CD to: vp_publications@npsot.org or Carol Perry, 301 Austin Ave., Waco, Texas 76710.

Rates Per Insertion:Ad Size RateFull Page $200Half Page $100Fourth Page $ 50Eighth Page $ 25

NPSOT reserves the right to adjust rates on 60-day written notice as production costs change.

Payment is due in advance.

Closing Dates: Copy must be received by: January 1 for the February, March, April issue, April 1 for the May, June, July issue, July 1 for the August, September, October issue, and October 1 for the November, December, January issue. Advertising copy must be received by the closing date to guarantee a place in the publication. All advertising copy received after the closing date will be placed in the next available issue.

General Information:a. The word “advertisement” will be placed with copy which, in NPSOT’s opinion, resembles

editorial matter.b. NPSOT does not assume responsibility for errors in advertiser’s key numbers.c. Subject matter, size, wording, illustration and typography of all advertising is subject to NPSOT’s

approval.d. Cancellations are not accepted after closing date.

Section VIII Miscellaneous information: guidelines on lobbying, legislation, etc.

Guidelines on Lobbying, Legislation, Elections, etc.

(This information was compiled from research by Michael Parkey, guidelines provided by the California Native Plant Society Legal Representative concerning lobbying, etc., and from the Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations published by the American Bar Association)

As a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income taxation under 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, NPSOT must conform with laws and regulations which limit its involvement in political and legislative activities. Adherence to these laws is crucial to maintaining the tax-exempt status of the organization.

INFLUENCING LEGISLATION Under regulations implementing IRC Section 501 (c) (3), no substantial part of the activities of an exempt organization may consist of attempts to influence legislation. What constitutes "a substantial part" is undefined, unless the evaluation is based on financial expenditures alone. Thus, some (insubstantial) amount of legislative activity, such as lobbying, letter writing, or signature gathering, is allowed under the regulations. "Substantial" is generally considered to be anything more than 5% of activities or income of an organization, although there are no direct rulings on the matter. "Legislation" includes referenda and initiatives.

EXPERT TESTIMONY Testimony by NPSOT officers or experts before legislative committees considering specific legislation might be considered an attempt to influence legislation (allowed but limited: see paragraph above), but it also may be considered an educational activity which carries out NPSOT's purpose of educating the public about the needs of NPSOT native flora. Thus, testimony regarding purposes or results of specific bills that are within NPSOT’s area of expertise is appropriate and not subject to the limits on influencing legislation.Regulatory bodies, which make rules, policies or decisions, are not considered legislative bodies. Therefore, testimony before them or attempts to influence their decisions are not attempts to influence legislation and are not limited.

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES There is an absolute prohibition against political campaign activities. A 501(c)(3) corporation will lose its tax-exempt status if it participates or intervenes in a political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, a candidate for public office, and it will be subject to a tax on any such political expenditures. Unlike the restrictions on lobbying, the prohibition on political activities is absolute, and applies to any such activities, no matter how small. NPSOT may not take part in elections, either partisan or nonpartisan. The organization may not endorse candidates, oppose candidates, nor make financial contributions to candidates, either before or after elections.

APPOINTMENTS Appointments to regulatory bodies whose members are not elected by the public are not (technically speaking) political. An organization's support of candidates for appointment to such boards, based on their qualifications or expertise, does not violate the prohibition on participating in electoral politics.

Section III Organizational miscellany: Plant Collection Policy

This policy on plant collection has been developed and adopted by the Board of the Native Plant Society of Texas, in response to many requests from our chapters. Our thanks to Peter Loos for his research on legal and ethical issues and for drafting the final document.

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXASCOLLECTIONS POLICY

The Native Plant Society of Texas, in keeping with its basic purpose of education, conservation, and preservation of the native plants of Texas, has created this policy for its members on collection of plant material in accordance with the laws (city, county, state and Federal) and accepted practices of said activity. Collection of any plant material from public land, such as parks, forests, and road sides, without proper consent from the proper authorities could be considered vandalism (picking roadside flowers itself is not illegal). To collect any part of an endangered species on public land requires the collector to secure a permit, allowing such activity, from the proper authorities. Texas Parks and Wildlife has two classifications of permit, one for education/research facilities and the other for commercial/private personnel, for land under its jurisdiction. Collection of plant material from privately owned land (this includes land owned by timber companies and other industries) is only allowed when the collector has received prior written permission from the owner. Endangered species may not be collected without the permission of the landowner. When dealing with rare, endangered, threatened, uncommon, or species in an unusual location, several factors should be taken into consideration. First, propagules (seed, cuttings, divisions) should be collected, rather than the whole specimen, whenever possible. Take no more than a small proportion from any site. Second, if the population at a given site contains less than one hundred specimens, it should be left undisturbed if possible. (This factor should include more common species due to the importance of genetic diversity.) Third, material should only be collected when there is a high probability of success with propagation/relocation. (Example: Lady Slipper Orchids should never be disturbed because they don't transplant, and propagation of seed is difficult.) Fourth, relocation/removal of a complete specimen should only be done when the site or species in is imminent danger of being disturbed or destroyed. Fifth, material in preserves, wilderness areas, and other protected lands (like Big Bend National Park) should never be utilized.

Use common sense.

This policy on plant collection has been developed and adopted by the Board of the Native Plant Society of Texas, in response to many requests from our chapters. Our thanks to Peter Loos for his research on legal and ethical issues, and for drafting the final document.

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXASRELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM

I, _________________________________________________, do hereby release the Native Plant Society of Texas and any person or persons responsible for planning the field trip of all liability associated with my participation in a field trip sponsored by the Native Plant Society of Texas.

Further, I understand that in any field trip involving activities in nature there is a certain risk of injury. The Native Plant Society of Texas has given me warning that the field trips they are sponsoring may involve climbing, hiking, etc. and I have taken into account my own physical condition prior to my participation in these activities.

_________________________________________________Signature of Participant

_____________________________Date

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXASAWARD FOR BOY SCOUTS AND CUB SCOUTS

The Native Plant Society of Texas and the various Texas Councils of the Boy Scouts of America are jointly sponsoring an award to make our young people aware of the state’s native plants. The NPSOT/BSA award is intended to promote appreciation of native plants for their aesthetic and practical virtues, and preservation of their habitats.

The award will be an enameled hat pin depicting the symbols of both organizations. When earned by either Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts the award will be sent from the Southern Regional office to the Unit Leader, to be awarded to the scout. There is a $1.45 charge for each pin.

Required Activities for the NPSOT/BSA Award for Cub Scouts

1. Learn the differences among native, naturalized and exotic plants. Learn the difference between the common name and the botanical (scientific) name of a plant. Learn why plants have these two kinds of names.

2. Take a trip to a nature center or other piece of wild land. Choose an area there and list by common name 20 kinds of native plants from any of the following categories: trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, cacti, ferns and vines.

3. Collect and label the seeds of 15 native plants. Determine how each seed is carried to a new place where it can germinate and grow. For example, seeds may be windborn, waterborn, stored by animals, carried in animal fur, passed through digestive systems of birds or mammals.

4. List by common name 10 native plants that grow wild, and 10 native plants that people have planted in the vicinity of your home. Be sure not to include naturalized plants.

5. Observe six (6) native plants in your area used by Indians and learn how they were used. For example, berries eaten for food, acorns leached and ground for flour, wood used for tools and bows, roots, leaves and fruits used for fiber, dyes and medicines.

Recommended Resources for Cub Scout Activities:

A Practical Guide to Edible and Useful Plants, D. Tull, Texas Monthly PressLandscaping with Native Texas Plants, S. Wasowski and J. Ryan, Texas Monthly PressTexas Trees, A Friendly Guide, P.W. Cox and P. Leslie, Corona PublishingThe Boy Scout Handbook, Boy Scouts of America

Requirements for the NPSOT/BSA Award for Boy Scouts

1. The scout shall have completed the Environmental Science* merit badge. * Required for Eagle rank.

2. Complete at least one of the following merit badges, referring specifically to the native plants and habitats of Texas when fulfilling the requirements: Botany, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, or Nature. The merit badges may be earned concurrently with the NPSOT/BSA award, but must be complete in order to receive it.

3. Describe the following terms: native plants, naturalized plants, indigenous plants, endemic plants, annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants.

4. Visit a local natural area and list by common and scientific name 20 species of native plants which are abundant on the site. Learn what native plants are protected by state law or the Endangered Species Act. List any found in your region of Texas. (Contact Texas Organization for Endangered Species, TOES, P.O. Box 12122, Austin, Texas 78711, for lists.) Tell what is being done or should be done to protect them.

5. Observe six (6) native plants in your area used by Indians and learn how they were used. Locate and describe how a specific public building or space (i.e. a park, school, historic site) could benefit from landscaping with native plants. Name some native plants that would be good plants to use in your town in each of the following categories: trees, shrubs, ground covers (including grasses), perennials and annuals.

6. List representative areas of preserved land, such as county forest preserves, state and national forests, parks, grasslands, or wildlife management areas in your region which protect native species.

Recommended Resources:

A Practical Guide to Edible and Useful Plants, D. Tull, Texas Monthly PressA Field Guide to Texas Trees, B. Simpson, Gulf Publishing CompanyNative Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, S. Wasowski and A. Wasowski, Texas Monthly PressTrees, Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southwest, R. Vines, University of Texas PressThe Boy Scout Handbook and Fieldbook, Boy Scouts of America

Booklist for the Study of Texas Native Plants is a comprehensive listing of published resources on native plants and is available from your local NPSOT contact, or by writing to:

Native Plant Society of TexasP.O. Box 3017

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624-1929Phone 830 997-9272 Fax 866 527-4918

Procedure – NPSOT Award

1. The Scoutmaster secures a packet from the local council service center containing the following items:* Requirements for earning the NPSOT award* List of NPSOT chapter contacts* Application for the NPSOT award

2. After Scout(s) have reviewed the materials with Scoutmaster, the Scoutmaster contacts a Native Plant Society of Texas Chapter for assistance. The Chapter Liaison will serve as an advisor and resource, much as a merit badge counselor does. The Liaison may conduct workshops or field trips, but is not required to do so.

3. At the conclusion of the project the Liaison person will approve the NPSOT award application indicating that the Scout has completed the requirements.

4. The Scoutmaster signs the application and sends it, along with $1.45/hat pin, to the councils service center for the Scout executive’s approval and forwarding to the Southern Region.

5. Upon receiving the application, the Southern Region will send the award to the Scoutmaster for presentation.

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS AWARD APPLICATION

This certifies that ______________________________________ has qualified for the Native Plant Society of Texas Award and has been approved by his council unit leader.

NPSOT Liaison’s Signature: ________________________________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________

Unit Leader’s Signature:___________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Unit Leader’s Name:__________________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Telephone:__________________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________

Scout Executive Council

Application for the Native Plant Society of Texas Award and $1.45/hat pin should be sent to:

Southern Region, BSA50 Chastain Center Blvd.P.O. Box 440728Kennesaw, GA 30144

Award Mailed: _____________________________________Date

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXASSTATE/CHAPTER MINI-GRANT PROGRAM

Purpose:To establish a program by which NPSOT chapters can receive small mini-grants from the State office to spend on native plant demonstration plots on public sites in their immediate areas to serve as educational tools in furthering our mission concerning education, outreach, and example. Public sites can be parks, schools, libraries, town squares, major road intersections or esplanades.

Amount and Source of Funds:The total amount of state monies to be budgeted for this program varies from year to year and normally is an amount that will provide for mini-grants ranging from $150 to $500. Chapters are not required to spend their own funds to match the amount of the grant.

Approved Types of Expenditures:NPSOT State Funds – native plants, mulch, compost, soil, border materials or labels.NPSOT Chapter Funds – same as state, but also can spend their monies on landscape design, watering system materials, plant identification list/garden plat, bed preparation and plant installation.

Applications will be accepted for maintenance of previously installed Demonstration Gardens. Plans can be replaced or added and materials such as markers and mulch can be purchased.

Mini-Grant Administration Committee:Shall consist of the following NPSOT board members: Educational Liaison (Chairman), VP Finance, and VP Chapter Liaison. A management service representative will also serve on the committee for record keeping and stewardship. The committee’s duties are to evaluate and rank grant applications and to award grants. Evaluation will be based on each plan’s completeness and feasibility and benefit to NPSOT goals.

Procedures: Chapter application to the Mini-Grant Application Committee must be made by February 1 of

the year the grant is needed. Mini-Grants will be awarded by February 15, after the annual budget is approved. Funds are to be spent by June 30 of the grant year. Project evaluation report will be filed with the Mini-Grant Administration Committee by July

30.

Evaluation:The Mini-Grant Administration Committee chairman will monitor the progress of the project once a month and either he or his representative (in case travel distance is excessive) will visit the site near project fund expenditure date of June 30.

By July 30, the chapter will submit a short written report to the Mini-Grant Administration Committee giving the project status or results, including lessons learned that would help other chapters on similar projects, records of man-hours contributed by each volunteer and project accounting statement with invoices (a budget reconciliation) for record keeping. This information will be used to file a report to the grantor on use of their grant monies, prepare “How-to” manuals, justify 501c3 status to IRS, and help NPSOT in application for future grants.

Application:

Project description with location and design concept. Regardless of design, i.e., butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, formal garden, cottage garden, herb garden, wildflower meadow or wildscape, all projects must use only indigenous native plants.

Sketch plan List of indigenous native plants to be used Materials list Activity/task schedule Project budget – line item group plant cost, each material cost, etc. Person responsible for the administration of the project Volunteer list and their estimated man-hours to be contributed Maintenance program

Submit application to:Native Plant Society of Texas, P.O. Box 3017, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

For more information:Phone: 830 997-9272 Fax: 866 527-4918email: coordinator@npsot.org

Application Deadline: February 1

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS PAST PRESIDENTS

1981-1983 -- Kay Warmerdam

1983-1984 -- Nancy Benedict

1984-1985 -- Wanda Holmes

1985-1986 -- Vernon Wesby

1986-1987 -- John Mac Carpenter

1987-1988 -- Ann Miller Gonzalez

1988-1989 -- Sally Wasowski

1989-1990 -- Doug Williams

1990-1991 -- Dorothy Mattiza

1991-1992 -- David Creech

1992-1993 -- Kate Hillhouse

1993-1994 -- Benny Simpson

1994-1995 -- Frank Willingham

1995-1996 -- Terry Tate

1996-1997 -- Mary Anne Pickens

1997-1998 -- Peter Loos

1998-1999 -- Bobby Peiser

1999-2000 -- Georgia Prakash

2000-2001 -- Bill Lindemann

2001– 2002 – Glenn Olsen

2002-2003 – Sue Wiseman

2003-2004 – Mike McBride

2004-2005 – Belinda McCoy McLaughlin

2005-2006 Bill Lindemann

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXASPAST AWARD WINNERS

Nancy Benedict Memorial Award

1988 – Toney Keeney – for work in saving the Texas Snowbell and re-introduction of them into several locations

1989 – Lynn Lowrey – for work on the conservation, propagation and distribution of Pistacia texana Swingle

1992 – Odessa Permian High School, Odessa, Texas – for establishing their Permian Botanical Garden

1996 – Tim Davis and Wayne Mackay of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Steve George and Jerry Parsons of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service for work in developing and bringing the native Texas bluebonnet into commercial horticulture

1997 – Bob and Mickey Burleson – for restoration of the Burleson Prairie

1998 – Drew Academy (Aldine School District – Houston)

1999 – David Bamberger – for his efforts at Selah Ranch

2000 – Geoffrey Stanford – for work at the Dallas Nature Center.

2001 – Keith Etheridge – for his determination and dedication for saving a prairie remnant

2002 – Molly Hollars – for her contributions in the organization, promotion and implementation of the wildscape at Veteran’s Park in Arlington

2003 – Bill Lindemann – for exemplary leadership and effort in establishing the Fredericksburg Nature Center and The Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center

2004 – Kathryn Kennedy

2005 – Charles Tapley

2006 – Temple-Inland – for native plant habitat preservation across East Texas

Donovan Stewart Correll Memorial Award

1988 – Marshall Enquist – for rediscovery of Salvia penstemmenoides, believed extinct for 40 years

1989 – Jill Nokes – for the book, How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest

1990 – Benny J. Simpson – for the book, A Field Guide to Texas Trees

1991 – Dr. William F. Mahler – for the book, Shinners’ Manual of The North Central Texas Flora

1992 – A. Michael Powell – for the book, Trees & Shrubs of the Trans-Pecos Texas

1993 – Marshall C. Johnston – for the book, The Vascular Plants of Texas update

1994 – Dr. Stephan L. Hatch, Dr. Kancheepuram N. Gandhi, and Dr. Larry Brown – for the book, Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Texas

1995 – Dr. Alfred Richardson – for the book, Plants of the Rio Grande Delta

1996 – Kenneth Gee and Michael Porter of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and Steve Demarais, Fred C. Bryant, and Gary Van Vreede of Texas Tech University, Department of Range/Wildlife Management – for the book, White-Tailed Deer, Their Foods and Management in the Cross Timbers

1997 – Bob Lonard – for the book, Guide to Grasses of the Lower Rio Grande Valley

1998 – Michael Powell, for the book, Grasses of the Trans Pecos

1999 – Joe Cepeda and Pam Allison, for the book, Texas Panhandle Plants

2000 – Barney Lipscomb, George Diggs, and Bob O’Kennon, for the book, Illustrated Flora of North Texas

2001 – Scooter Cheatham, Marshall Johnston, and Lynn Marshall, for volume 2 of, The Useful Wild Plants of Texas, the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, the Southern Plains, and Northern Mexico

2003 – B.L. Turner, Holly Nichols, Geoffrey Denny and Oded Doron, for their book, Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Texas

2004 – David J. Schmidley

2005 – Sharon Yarborough and Dr. A. Michael Powell, Ferns and Fern Allies of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas

2006 – George M. Diggs, Jr., Barney L. Lipscomb, Monique D. Reed, Robert J. O’Kennon for Illustrated Flora of East Texas, Volume One

Charles Leonard Weddle Award

1991 – Dr. Barton H. Warnock

1992 – Dr. Elray S. Nixon

1993 – Dr. Chester M. Rowell, Jr.

1994 – Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson and Senator Ralph Yarborough

1995 – Dr. William F. (Bill) Mahler

1996 – Lynn Lowrey

1997 – Benny J. Simpson

1998 – Geraldine Watson

1999 – Joe Ideker

2000 – Ned Fritz

2002 – Larry Brown

2003 – A. Michael Powell

2004 – Jackie Poole

2005 – Dr. Alfred Richardson

2006 – Maxine Johnston – for longtime efforts to preserve and protect the Big Thicket

Carroll Abbott Memorial Award

1988 – Robert J. O’Kennon – for the book,

1989 – Marshall Enquist – for the book, Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country

1990 – Sally and Andy Wasowski – for the book, Native Texas Plants – Landscaping Region by Region

1991 – Paul Cox and Patty Leslie – for the book, Texas Trees—A Friendly Guide

1992 – Delina Tull – for the book, A Practical Guide to Edible and Useful Plants

1993 – Geyata Ajilvsgi – for the book, Butterfly Gardening for the South

1994 – Zoe Merriman Kirkpatrick – for the book, Wildflowers of the Western Plains

1995 – Judy Mielke – for the book, Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes

1996 – Judith Phillips – for the books, Natural by Design and Plants for Natural Gardens

1997 – J.H. Everitt and D.L. Drawe – for the book, Trees, Shrubs and Cacti of South Texas

1998 –John and Gloria Tveten, for the book, Wildflowers of Houston

1999 – Taylor, Rutledge and Herrera, for the book, Common South Texas Shrubs

2000 – Arturo Longoria, for his book, Adios to the Brushlands

2001 – Jill Nokes, for the book, How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (revised)

2002 – Alfred Richardson, for the book, Wildflowers and Other Plants of Texas Beaches and Islands

2003 – Ruth Ginsburg, for the book, Lloyd Herbert Shinners: By Himself

2004 – Damude Noreen and Kelly Bender for their book, Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife

2005 – Richard Francaviglia, for the book, The Cast Iron Forest: A Natural & Cultural History of the North American Cross Timbers

2006 – Geyata Ajilvsgi – for the book, Wildflowers of Texas, Revised Edition

Lynn Lowrey Memorial Award

1999 – Will Fleming, for “Will Fleming Yaupon”

2000 – Dan Hosage, for Cercis canadensis ‘Traveler’

2001 – David Creech, for his work establishing the Stephen F. Austin State University Mast Arboretum and developing the three ‘R’s, Rescue, Research, and Reconstruction.

2002 – Mike Anderson, for contributions of promoting horticulture education through the Robert A. Vines Science Center in Spring Branch

2004 – David and Teresa Steinbrunner

2005 – Dr. Ed McWilliams, for working with aquatic species for water quality

2006 – Peter Loos and Gail Barton for Phlox pilosa ‘Forest Frost’

Presidents Award

2001 – Jeff Quayle, for discovery of a new species, the Senecio quaylei

2003 – Landon Lockett, for education

2003 – Ralph Taylor, for discovery

2005 – Sue Wiseman, for work reconstructing and discovery of accounting problems within the NPSOT organization

Fellows Award

1993 – Kay Warmerdam / Vernon L. Wesby1994 – Shirley D. Lusk / Sally Wasowski1995 – Don Bozeman1996 – Dr. Harold Laughlin / Bettye Jane Dodds1997 – Ann Miller Gonzalez / Carol Kobb1998 – 1999 – Bob Pickens / Mary Anne Pickens2000 – 2001 – Bill Neiman/ Jan Neiman2002 – Mike McBride / Bobby Peiser2003 – Georgia Prakash / Dorothy Thetford2004 – Lottie Milsaps / Agnes Plutino

NPSOT President’s Chapter Award

1993 – Trinity Forks Chapter, Denton1994 – South Texas Chapter, Corpus Christi1995 – Brazos Valley Chapter, Waco1996 – Tonkawa Chapter, Belton

1997 – Fredericksburg Chapter, Fredericksburg1998 – Houston Chapter, Houston1999 – Austin Chapter, Austin2000 – Northeast Texas Chapter, Longview2001 – Trinity Forks Chapter, Denton2002 – Boerne Chapter, Boerne2003 – Big Bend Chapter2004 – Austin Chapter, Austin2005 – Trinity Forks Chapter, Denton2006 – Boerne Chapter, Boerne

Awards of Appreciation

1982 – Dr. Kenneth Fry1983 – Billie Thompson1986 – Bettye Jane Dodds1986 – Benny J. Simpson1987 – Vernon Wesby1987 – Jim Holmes1990 – Patty Leslie1990 – Andy Wasowski1995 – Carol Hendrick2005 – Mike McBride and Dar Richardson

Honorary Life Membership

1984 – Carroll Abbott1995 – Lynn Lowrey2005 – Sally and Andy Wasowski

Resolution in Memoriam

1984 – Carroll Abbott

Award of Appreciation with Honorary Life Membership

1986 – Lady Bird Johnson1986 – Dr. Mary Evelyn Blagg-Huey1989 – Bettye Jane Dodds2003 – Dorothy Mattiza2004 – Kate Hillhouse2006 – Sue Wiseman

Award of Recognition1988 – Benny J. Simpson

Past President’s Award

1986 – Kay Warmerdam1986 – Nancy Benedict (awarded posthumously)1986 – Wanda Holmes1987 – John Mac Carpenter

1988 – Ann Miller Gonzalez1989 – Sally Wasowski1990 – Doug Williams1991 – Dorothy Mattiza1992 – David Creech1993 – Kate Hillhouse1994 – Benny Simpson1995 – Frank Willingham1996 – Terry Tate1997 – Mary Anne Pickens1998 - Peter Loos1999 - Bobby Peiser2000 – Georgia Prakash2001 – Bill Lindemann2002 – Glenn Olsen2003 – Sue Wiseman2004 – Mike McBride2005 – Belinda McCoy McLaughlin2006 – Bill Lindemann