Old Business:
David Nofziger (ASA-SSSA Board Representative) provided highlights from the SSSA-ASA Board meeting. He informed us that the interviews for Executive VP are underway. The initiative to transfer all issues of SSSAJ through 2000 to CD is nearly completed, and price structures are under discussion. A major soils exhibit will be created at the Smithsonian Institution. The projected loss for the SSSA is about $151,000 for 2003. The Board approved several recommendations to reduce this loss, including reduced free page in SSSAJ and JEQ from 6 to 4, charging non-members for all pages, and a moratorium on publication of books and monographs. This item generated discussion among the members, and a motion was proposed by David Radcliffe that no changes be made in current page charge structure, but that deficits be addressed by charging for submission of abstracts to the national meetings, nominally increasing library subscription rates, and/or increasing page charges beyond the 6 free pages. The motion carried. The Board representative highlighted several opportunities, including the need for volunteers to serve on a Rapid Response Team to provide information to federal policy-makers. Planners for the 2006 World Congress of Soil Science requested support in proposing symposium topics. Finally, S-1 members were encouraged to provide input to suggested changes in format for the tri-societies annual meetings via the web-based questionnaire.

Rein van Genuchten reported on the first two issues of the Vadose Zone Journal, including some statistics concerning manuscript flow. He highlighted several initiatives for special topical issues resulting from symposia held in cooperation with collaborating societies including GSA and EGS, and called upon the members to expand the diversity of submitted topics.

SSSAJ S-1 Technical Editor David Radcliffe thanked the following Associate Editors who are finishing their terms: Robert Horton, Ed McCoy, John Selker, and Sally Logsdon. He welcomed four new AEs: Per Moldrup, Mark Rockhold, Glenn Wilson, and Jon Wraith. Sally Logsdon will be the new S-1 technical editor. David will be serving as S-1 Chair during 2003-2004.

Clarke Topp reported on the availability of the new Methods of Soil Analysis – Physical Measurements, and the apparent resistance of the Society to make the volume available in electronic format (CDs) and on the web. Bob Luxmoore suggested that recommendations should be made to the ASA-SSSA Board to pursue electronic format consistent with recouping the costs and with society pricing structure and regulations. Clarke put forward a motion to the ASA-SSSA Board to provide the Methods of Soil Analysis in electronic format (CD or DVD) according to the society pricing structure and regulations. The motion was approved, and followed by a motion to recommend that the Board also explore the potential to provide the monograph on the Internet, with an accompanying format to charge internet-based users.

Glenn Wilson provided an extensive report from the ad-hoc Committee on Feasibility of a Federation Structure for the Tri-societies. The recommendation involves 1) developing a clear vision for enhancing services to membership, sciences and the public; 2) decisions on federation structure should be based on science, educational programs, and effective business and organizational services. Bob Luxmoore made the motion that we send a recommendation to the Board that the restructuring committee’s recommendations be acted on expeditiously, keeping in mind potential impacts on international membership. The motion carried.

Bob Luxmoore announced plans to have a joint meeting with the GSA in 2008. These plans are supported by the Tri-Societies. A liaison committee was formed by the GSA to discuss possible joint activities before 2008.

Chair of the S-1 Early Career Award Committee Gerard Kluitenberg proposed revisions to the nomination guidelines for this committee, to replace committee members through nomination rather than election. The committee’s recommendation was for the outgoing committee chair to appoint a new member. After some discussion a motion was made and approved that the incoming S-1 Chair will appoint the new incoming member in consultation with the committee members. The outgoing S-1 Chair is automatically joins to the committee along with the two continuing members and one new member. Committee members for 2003 include chair Jan Hopmans, Art Warrick, outgoing S-1 Chair Jacob Dane, and a new member to be appointed by Gerard Kluitenberg.

Jacob Dane recognized the services of Kurt Pennell in providing the S-1 website.

New Business:
Jacob Dane provided statistics on the number of papers and posters presented in Indianapolis. The meeting highlights included a symposium honoring Clarke Topp, and it was particularly gratifying to have minimal overlap between oral sessions. It was strongly recommended to continue having a low number of symposia.

Jacob Dane proposed that S-1 Chair elections be completed electronically, and that the vote be limited to society members who list S-1 among their top three options. After some discussion a motion to recommend to the ASA-SSSA Board that election of the Division Chair be restricted to members who list that division among their top three for the current year was presented and passed.

Dani Or provided a short report on the upcoming Don and Betty Kirkham Conference to be held in Logan, UT. It is planned for the last week of October 2004, just before the SSSA annual meetings in Seattle. Local arrangements are being made, and the four recipients of the Kirkham Award will form the scientific committee for the conference.

A report by Lois Peterson focused on the IUSS, and particularly on the 2006 International Soil Science Congress. She reported on plans and activities underway, and encourages members to provide ideas for IUSS Division 2 (2.1 is Soil Physics) symposia to Representative Keith Cassel (members may also check the website at www.iuss.org). [See National Committee for Soil Science handout]

Keith Bristow provided a short report on the annual meeting restructuring, and solicited input from S-1 members. Recommendations included limiting the number of symposia to one per division, limiting paper submissions to one per first author (who must also be corresponding author and presenter). The responses to the survey regarding meeting length were contradictory, and he reinforced the recommendation for S-1 members to participate in this survey via the SSSA website. Those in attendance supported maintaining the present 3.5 day format, and were supportive of the two proposed restrictions, i.e., for symposia and number of submissions.

Announcements:
Jacob Dane recognized the following S-1 members who received awards at the 2002 meetings: Robert Horton received the Don and Betty Kirkham award, Art Hornsby received the Soil Science Professional Service Award, Gerard Kluitenberg was elected Fellow of the ASA, Jan Hendrickx and David Smiles were elected Fellows of the SSSA, Rien van der Ploeg was elected Fellow of the ASA and SSSA, and Ty Ferre received the S-1 Early Career Award.

Jacob Dane introduced the incoming S-1 Division Chair Dani Or, who thanked Jacob for his excellent services to the division and adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Dani Or