By Kim Brand, Interim Vice President for Network National Audubon
This year chapter leaders weighed in on our organization’s future in two important ways – our national organization’s name and a strategic plan to guide our work for a generation.
The Naming Task Force, a group comprised of members of the National Audubon Society Board of Directors, is reviewing and analyzing inputs from several important sources:
- Research from two historians on the history of John James Audubon and an analysis of commemorative naming
- Feedback from stakeholders both within and outside Audubon, including members, donors, staff, chapter leaders, chapter staff, board members, volunteers, partners, and more. Feedback was collected through a survey, small-group meetings, and individual meetings.
- An analysis of organizational considerations, financial costs, and donor projections for a potential name change.
- An analysis of legal considerations for a potential name change.
All of these inputs will be used to inform the Task Force’s recommendation to the National Audubon Society full board. The recommendation will be presented to board members in late February. That will begin the board’s deliberation and decision-making process.
I want to emphasize that the NAS board will consider the name of our national organization. As independently incorporated entities, each chapter has the autonomy and authority to make decisions in respect to their naming as best serves their needs.
As for our staff-led strategic planning process, our North Star outcomes and 5-year milestones are coming into focus. Thank you to all chapter leaders and members who participated in the strategic planning survey, focus groups, and listening sessions with state staff and councils. Audubon staff, including myself, continues to review and analyze your input. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and we look forward to continuing conversations on how we implement the new strategic plan together. Some of those conversations will take place on Zoom and some will be in person as we gather our flock for the first time in 4 years at the 2023 Audubon Convention.
