[reccom] First State Records

[Terry Sadler]

Thanks, Kris, for bringing this to our attention again.  Hopefully we 
can reach some resolution.

Regarding the bylaw section in question:

IV.C.11.   First State Records. It is preferable that a first state 
record have some form of physical documentation. Acceptable evidence 
could consist of photographs, sound recordings, specimens, verified band 
numbers, etc. However, a first state record may be accepted without 
physical documentation with these considerations in mind:

(1) The species is obvious and easy to identify and cannot be confused 
with a similar species.

(2) The observer is familiar with the species.

(3) The observer is known by the committee members as a careful 
competent observer with experience in documenting rare birds.

(4) There are multiple competent observers that submit separate, careful 
documentation.

Accepted records will be listed as either "verified with physical 
evidence" or "accepted but not verified with physical evidence." First 
state record submissions that involve only a single observer, may be 
accepted as "hypothetical" and added to the UOS Checklist of Birds of 
Utah as such. Species shall remain on the hypothetical list until a 
record meeting the above criteria is accepted by the committee.
--

Several years ago I am the one that proposed this bylaw section that was 
approved by the Committee.    It was my intention with words such as 
"preferable" and "considerations in mind" that the Committee had some 
latitude to accept some records without physical documentation if there 
was a consensus that it was a valid sighting.   The four considerations 
listed were to be used as a guideline in accepting a record.  It was not 
my intention that all four had to be steadfastly met before a record 
could be accepted.   I can see now that this bylaw section can be 
construed to mean something different than what I intended.

I support your proposal to revisit this bylaw section and strike it from 
the bylaws or amend it so there is no confusion.

Terry