Call to order: 11:10 PST [via Zoom]

 

(1) Quorum (= 8 voting Directors minimum, out of 13 total):

Directors present (9): Edwards, Connor, Banks, Rogers, Meckes, Boeraeve, Sanders, King, Ramsay

Directors absent (4)*: Pierce, Fox, Sansome, Kohler

Others present:

James Clever, Robert Hahn

 

(2) Approval of Board Minutes from 29 Oct 2025 Annual Meeting – 

– So moved by King, second by Connor. One abstention (Sanders), Ayes from all others present. Approved.

 

(3) Tabled from December Board meeting – 

– Disposition of $4201.79 surplus from Greenville conference in Oct-Nov 2025. Various options given, but establishment of a policy for this and/or future surpluses TABLED until next meeting due to time constraints.

 

(4) Guest presentation: Robert Hahn, ABS member for 8 – 10 years, former CDC epidemiologist.

– Sees issues with the functioning of the ABS:

– Internally, separate activities take place; suggests these be unified after a questionnaire/survey of members asking about their own activities and how the ABS can serve them better.

– Externally, primarily with outreach: bamboo is poorly understood by the general public; recommended inviting the media and journalists to ABS meetings in their area; publish op-eds.

– Autumn Ramsay commented that the nascent bamboo coop can address some of Hahn’s “external” concerns, and has already circulated a survey among its potential audience.

 

(5) ABS Development (Sanders)

– Suggested ABS pursue grants (to ABS for its own use, not for research grants via Ned Jaquith Fdn).

– If done, there is a need for an experienced grant writer. Kay Koppedreyer’s name came up, and Ramsay has a Southern CA person in mind.

 

(6) *ABS Director Attendance Policy –

– The approved ABS Director Job Description clearly states the action to be taken after a Director has three unexcused absences from a scheduled Board meeting, starting with today’s meeting.

 

(7) Species Source List (SSL) –

– Some new sources have been listed for this edition.

– Projected SSL completion: March 2026.

 

(8) ABS Conference October 2026 (Meckes) –

– La Quinta will be the meeting hotel.

 

(9) Bamboo plant importation from Europe (Connor) –

– There is now a “shopping list”; Boeraeve will help in Europe.

 

(10) Marketing and Advertising – 

– Autumn Ramsay made two short videos: one is for the ABS page on the World Bamboo Organization website.

– A marketing plan is in development.

 

Next Meetings –

ABS Board: 8 February 2026 via Zoom, at 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern start time.

 

Adjournment: 12:10am PDT.