[reccom] Considerations

[Terry Sadler]

Hello Everyone,

Since I won't make it to the meeting I thought I would let you know my 
position on several issues that will be discussed.

First, regarding Kris's proposal to make our comments public.  I believe 
the summary statement published annually by the Chair of the Records 
Committee should suffice.  It summarizes the general  consensus of the 
committee.  If we do decide to make individual comments available I 
recommend we start withrecords submitted  _after_ this proposal is or 
may be adopted.

Second,I support the proposal to consider nomination before we contact 
the individual.  This was the case when I was nominated

Third, The shifting standards for acceptance of records is an issue that 
needs addressing.  I propose we adopt a standard similar to California.  
If their is not an actual specimen collected for the species then the 
record is given a letter indicating how the record was accepted. The 
following was copied and pasted directly from California's checklist.

> P - At least one record supported by identifiable photograph (100 species)
> V - At least one record supported by identifiable videotape (21 species)
> T - At least one record supported by identifiable taped vocalization 
> (6 species)
> S - Supported only by sight records (2 species)
>
Forth, Merrill Webb and I  (with a lot of input from Rick Fridell and 
Ron Ryel ) worked jointly on the last checklist.   Milt Moody provided 
tremendous assistance in giving us a computerized format to work on and 
making the final document.  The most difficult part of the whole process 
was lining up funding for the printing several thousand copies.  If you 
have a hard copy of the checklist list the monetary contributors are 
listed on the front page.   I ,personally, don't want to do that part of 
preparing a new checklist again.  I would like to help in other ways 
though. if others will take the lead.

Regarding a yearly meeting,  maybe if we knew far in advance when the 
meeting was to be held possibly more of us could make the meeting.

Best wishes to you all,

Terry