ESA Governing Board Fall 2025 Meeting Minutes Windsor Suites 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy Philadelphia, PA 19103 and Zoom Meeting November 21, 2025

Abstract

President Groffman presiding; meeting called to order at 9:00 AM EST.

I. Roll Call and Agenda (Groffman)

A. Adopt Agenda

Motion to Adop Meeting Agenda:

The Governing Board moved to adopt the Fall 2025 meeting agenda. Motion moved by Kelly Ramirez and seconded by James Rattling Leaf. All ayes.

B. Conflicts/Dualities of Interest

Executive Director (ED) Catherine O'Riordan provided an overview for new board members of the GB Member Duties and Conflict-of-Interest (COI) Policy. Board members were asked if any new conflicts need to be declared.

C. Acknowledge Previous Governing Board Votes

II. Reports

Motion to Approve Nominations Committee Appointments:

The Governing Board moved to approve the appointments to the Nominations Committee, as nominated by Past-President Stephanie Hampton. Motion moved by Peter Groffman and seconded by Kelly Ramirez. All ayes.

B. Report of the President (Groffman).

President Groffman provided a summary of the retreat held on November 20, focused on ESA's public affairs program. Retreat discussion emphasized support for ESA actions advocating for science and specific ecologically-relevant issues, such as climate and biodiversity. In the past year, ESA's public affairs program ensured U.S. ecologist participation in COP16, defended the National Nature Assessment, advocated for federal support of science, and actively maintained support for diverse representation in ecology and ESA.

C. Report of the Executive Director and Staff (O'Riordan, et al.)

ED O'Riordan highlighted program activities since the Annual Meeting in August. Highlights included the SEEDS Leadership Meeting in September, ESA participation in NASA Day of Action in October, and an encouraging fall fundraising appeal that has moved us to 75% of the target goal of $400 K for the EEE Endowment. The recent award nominations cycle saw the highest number of nominations in 5 years, thanks to the effort by the Awards Committee to ensure diversity of the candidate pool for 2026 awards. Current ESA membership is lower than average, at 6747. The staff is strategizing to better recruit and retain members during this uncertain period.

D. Report from Council Speaker (Bowes)

Council Speaker Rachel Bowes provided a summary report of the August Council meeting and current activities. The Council speaker sits on the board ex-officio but has a role to be the voice of the Council, comprised of 43 sections and chapters. The Council Speaker shared that 21 of 43 sections/chapters are up-to-date with all governance requirements. Chapters and sections that are not in compliance may receive support and procedures have been established to allow for dormancy and facilitate pathways for inactive sections and chapters to reengage. Bowes introduced a new Collaboration Challenge to encourage cross-chapter/section engagement and announced that a new Rocky Mountain Chapter has been established.

III. Strategic and Operational Updates

A. Approve EEE Scholar Award Recipients (Ramirez)

Motion to Accept Diversity Committee's Recommendation:

The Governing Board moved to accept the Diversity Committee's recommendation for the 2026–2028 cohort of four scientists to be awarded the ESA Excellence in Ecology Scholarships. Motion moved by James Rattling Leaf and seconded by Angee Doerr. All ayes.

Break

C. Consider Certification Appeal Case (O'Riordan)

The Governing Board members reviewed the Professional Ethics Committee's recommendation regarding Joshua Cavazos' certification appeal. The committee recommends to Governing Board that the appeal request be denied. The ESA Staff will follow up with the Ethics Committee to ensure a letter to the applicant is appropriately detailed.

Motion to Consider Certification Appeal:

The Governing Board moved to consider a motion to adopt the Professional Ethics Committee's recommendation to uphold the denial of Josh Cavazos' application as originally made by the Board of Professional Certification. Motion moved by James Rattling Leaf and seconded by Shannon LaDeau. Approved.

Motion to Charge BPC:

E. Wrap-Up and Action Items (Groffman)

Peter Groffman recognized that this meeting was Catherine O′Riordan's final board meeting and thanked her for her excellent service.

IV. Executive Session (Ethics/Search Update)

The Board went into executive session.

V. Adjourn Meeting and Lunch

Motion to Adjourn Meeting:

The Governing Board moved to adjourn Fall 2025 meeting. Motion moved by James Rattling Leaf and seconded by Rese Cloyd. All aye.

Meeting Adjourned