Mechanics of Board Operations
Two ASA and two SSSA Board meetings were held during the Annual Meetings of the Tri-Societies. Significant soils-related issues from the first ASA Board are referred to the first SSSA Board meeting. The SSSA Board addresses issues from the first ASA Board meeting and from S-Committees (these are committees within SSSA). Membership responses to undecided ASA and SSSA issues are sought from the S-Division business meetings and these are reported back to the second SSSA Board Meeting for action. Recommendations to the Tri-Societies from the second SSSA Board meeting are presented at the second ASA Board meeting for action. These meetings were attended by the following:

Nov 3 ASA Dave Nofziger (substituted for Bob Luxmoore, S-1 Board Rep)
Nov 4 SSSA Bob Horton (S-1 Past Chair), Bob Luxmoore
Nov 7 SSSA Dave Nofziger (S-1 Past Chair), Bob Luxmoore
Nov 8 ASA Bob Luxmoore

1. New SSSA Chapter
The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists has nearly 300 members involved as practicing professionals in soil science. A request from this Society to become a Chapter within SSSA was approved. This action is part of the continuing efforts of SSSA to recognize and support professional soil scientists.

2. Budget and Finance
The 1996-97 budget was approved. A net loss of $1,263 is projected for SSSA Services and SSSAJ is budgeted with a net gain of $86,988. SSSA has total assets of $1,306,832 as of September 30, 1996.

The investment philosophy for the SSSA investment portfolio ($1,051,495 on 30 Sept 96) has been revised and a recommendation to accept three categories of risk (8, 9, and 13% downside loss during a business cycle) will be evaluated by the Executive Committee for action. The revised policy should lead to greater returns in the investment portfolio.

The budget year was changed from ending on 30 September (Federal fiscal year) to ending on 31 December (Calendar year basis). This change will commence in 1998. The three month period, 1 Oct - 31 Dec, 1997 was budgeted on the basis of expected income and expenses.
The membership category of "Associate Undergraduate Student" is discontinued. Very few members (< 12/year) used this category.

The CONCEPT of discontinuing the journal subscription requirement for active membership in one or more of the Tri- Societies was approved. The mechanics for implementing this action was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee for development.

3. First Branch member of SSSA
The Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy (NEBASA) was approved as a Branch within SSSA. This gives NEBASA voting member status on the SSSA Board. Other regional Soil Science Societies may also wish to apply for Branch status in SSSA.

4. Editorial Affairs
Dr. Jerry Bigham was reappointed for a second three-year term as Editor-in-Chief of SSSA. A feasibility committee will evaluate publication options to support the needs of professional consulting soil scientists. Developments in electronic publishing are outlined in the ASA Board report below.

The Committee revising the Glossary of Soil Science Terms has completed its work and two recommendations from the committee were approved.

(i). The Committee will become a continuing special committee with a member from each S division appointed for a 3-year term. The Editor-in-Chief and SSSAJ Editor will be ex officio members.

(ii). The revised glossary will be available electronically from the SSSA home page with full search capability. This electronic version will be updated periodically as needed by the special committee. A printed copy of the glossary will be provided to all SSSA members.

5. Developments in the International Soil Science Society (ISSS)
Dr. Larry Wilding, a member of the ISSS Committee on Statutes and Structures, reported on significant changes in the ISSS rules and statutes being proposed for ratification by the ISSS membership. These include:

(i). Change name to International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

(ii). Membership will be based on organizations not individual scientists. SSSA will become a "full member" of IUSS and all SSSA members will automatically belong to IUSS as "society members".

(iii). A fee structure for full members (organizations) will be based on the number of members in the organization and the national wealth of its country. The organization (full member) will pay all fees. Society members will not be assessed a membership fee.

(iv). Other changes in the administration and the scientific organizational components of IUSS will be proposed.

These proposals for changes in ISSS will require 2/3 approval of the current ISSS membership. (Please vote when the time comes if you are a ISSS member). The proposed changes will bring ISSS in line with other international scientific societies. The current ISSS rules were adopted in 1924 and these are not appropriate now that ISSS has become a member of the International Council of Scientific Unions.

SSSA has offered to host the next ISSS World Congress in 2006. ISSS cannot formally accept the offer at present but is very pleased to receive the offer.

6. Washington Presence and Congressional Fellows
These are important programs supported by the Tri-Societies for providing testimony to Congress and for contributing to development of legislation in selected offices of the House of Representatives. The costs for these programs will be prorated according to membership in each of the Tri-Societies (SSSA will now pay about 50% of the costs).

SSSA is a member of a proposed Coalition for Research on Plant Systems (CROPS). The mission of the coalition is to address, communicate, and influence the establishment of plant systems research needs and priorities, and related extension and education issues, of the agricultural industry. SSSA has recommended that the name of the coalition be changed to include "soil" in the name, such as, "Coalition for Research on Plant-Soil Systems". Bob Barnes, ASA Executive Director, will recommend this change to the Coalition.

7. Committee to Define Soil Science Competencies.

The Committee determined the following competencies as necessary for a basic soil science foundation:

soil chemistry and mineralogy
soil fertility
soil physics
soil genesis, morphology, and classification
soil biology and biochemistry
land use management

A list of performance objectives (specific areas of knowledge) were identified for each competency for a total of 219 performance objectives. These objectives are being used for development of licensing examinations by states. Examinations are a component of state legislation for the licensing of professional practicing soil scientists.

The committee recommended that it be disbanded and that a new body be formed to serve the continuing needs of professional soil scientists. A "Soil Science Council of Examiners" was recommended to provide leadership for maintaining the standards and relevancy of licensing examinations for professional soil scientists. This body will develop a national standard that states can follow in the development of their licensing protocols.

The SSSA Board disbanded the Competency Committee with sincere thanks and approved of the formation of the Soil Science Council of Examiners.