2024-04-14T14:56:57-07:00 2023-12-31 990 2023-01-01 711047817 ORGANIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATIONS INC ORGA 4133877983 PO Box 400327 Charlottesville VA 22904 Paul Wetzel Treasurer 4133877983 2024-03-27 Paul Wetzel 999009999 1 1 11 0 AAL2 2023 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z Rhonda S Struminger 8913 Highfield Rd Richmond VA 23229 94547 0 X www.OBFS.org X 1990 MO Helping member field stations increase their effectiveness in supporting scientific research, education of students and outreach programs. 16 16 0 50 0 0 53884 78351 0 0 7414 16196 0 0 61298 94547 13063 41219 0 0 0 0 0 0 3259 49422 53712 62485 94931 -1187 -384 642740 732535 0 0 642740 732535 X To assist members in providing infrastructure for exemplary scientific research, innovative & effective learning & informed natural resource stewardship. To enhance the capacity of field stations through training & information sharing. To educate the public and decision makers about the critical role of field stations in scientific research and education. To enhance public support for funding field stations and the activities supported at field stations. 1 1 49351 0 0 One of the most important functions of the OBFS is providing networking capacity among about 200 field stations and 40 individual members throughout the world. The professional field station network is maintained with a new website that contains information as simple as a map with the locations of member field stations, to examples of field station policies, to information of special events, funding opportunities, and jobs postings. A complete revision of the website was started in 2022 as part of the new strategic plan of the organization, with the goals of making a website that is more user friendly and useful to members ($32,894). Annual meetings are a second way that OBFS maintains a professional network. In 2023 the OBFS annual meeting was held at La Selva, Costa Rica. Participants attended workshops on timely topics and heard a variety of speakers. Travel assistance was given to a small number (13) of Board members without institutional support and early and middle career travel awards so members can attend the annual meeting ($16,457). 18558 0 0 As part of its strategic plan, OBFS worked to increase equity and inclusion activities and representation. This year members of OBFS tabled and participated in the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science meeting in Portland, Oregon ($7,853). OBFS also made a concerted effort to increase its international presence and membership by establishing an International Matching Program. This program brings two or more stations together to deepen networking opportunities throughout our international community or jump start multi-year research projects or collaborations across our diverse lands and expertise. (Resources spent in 2023 = $5,055). New technology enables relationships between field stations regardless of distance, but the Station Exchange program provides mini travel awards for field station staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities as a way to connect with peers (Resources spent in 2023 = $2,050). Finally, OBFS established a mini-grants program to support small research or infrastructure projects at field stations (Resources spent in 2023 = $3,600). 14057 0 0 The OBFS continues to be a member of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) ($5,425), a confederation of smaller scientific organizations that provides educational, professional, and public policy opportunities for the group. Education of decision makers about the critical role of field stations for experiential learning, the blending of art and natural history, and in scientific research is another program service accomplishment of OBFS. This year OBFS contributed to Congressional Visits Day, a program sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences. This program allows members to meet with their Congressional state delegation to inform them of the role of field stations in scientific research, conservation, and the education of a new generation of scientists. OBFS also paid the registration fees for 3 members to attend these programs ($8,632). 3250 0 0 The OBFS membership was surveyed about the organization and membership expectations and future directions of the organization. That survey was completed in 2022, with a final payment to the contractor made in May, 2023 ($3,250). 3250 0 0 85216 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 MA X X X Paul R Wetzel 4135852646 PO Box 400327 Charlottesville VA 22904 Sarah Oktay Co-Chair - Development Committee 12 0 X 5000 0 0 Jason Tallant Network Coordinator 3 0 X 0 0 0 Stacy McNulty Editor 4 0 X 0 0 0 Sonia Nobrega Member at Large - One 2 0 X 0 0 0 Megan DiNapoli Member at Large - Two 3 0 X 0 0 0 Sofia Rodriguez Member at Large - Early Career 2 0 X 0 0 0 Itchung Cheung Chair - Collaborations Committee 4 0 X 0 0 0 Brian Kloeppel Co-chair - Development Committee 3 0 X 0 0 0 Shane Waddell Chair - Governance & Sustainability Committee 3 0 X 0 0 0 Tori mcDermott Co-chair - IDEA+ Committee 4 0 X 0 0 0 Phoebe Jekielek Co-chair - IDEA+ Committee 3 0 X 0 0 0 David Maneli Chair - International Committee 4 0 X 0 0 0 Conner Philson Chair - Outreach and Communications Committee 3 0 X 0 0 0 Lara Roketenetz Past President (ex officio) 5 0 X 0 0 0 Skip van Bloem Vice President 8 0 X 0 0 0 Beth Norman Secretary 5 0 X 0 0 0 Paul R Wetzel Treasurer 8 0 X 0 0 0 Rhonda Struminger President 10 0 X 0 0 0 5000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50300 13595 0 0 14456 0 78351 0 16196 16196 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13595 0 0 0 0 0 94547 16196 0 0 5425 5425 29845 29845 5949 5949 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2896 2896 36153 32894 3259 6905 6905 Annual meeting expenses 3560 0 3560 0 Communications and outreach 948 948 0 0 Final payment for membership survey 3250 3250 0 0 0 94931 85216 6456 3259 118468 92238 238160 199308 286112 440989 642740 732535 0 0 X 118468 92238 0 0 524272 640297 642740 732535 642740 732535 X -384 0 0 0 0 90179 X 0 0 0 X 22200 40464 40460 40700 64756 208580 8362 8890 10707 13184 13595 54738 30562 49354 51167 53884 78351 263318 263318 3575 4856 3393 7414 16196 35434 3575 4856 3393 7414 16196 35434 34137 54210 54560 61298 94547 298752 0.88139 0.90256 0.11861 0.09744 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1 Travel assistance to the annual meeting. 8 10508 0 Travel assistance for OBFS members to participate in Congressional Visits Day. 3 8632 0 Participants in the field station matching program can receive funds for travel to each other's stations. 4 5055 0 OBFS members may apply for mini-grants for projects that support the OBFS strategic plan initiatives. 3 3600 0 OBFS members may participate in a Station exchange program and be reimbursed for travel expenses. 3 2050 0 Schedule I, Part I, Line 2 OBFS provides a limited number of travel awards (assistance) to the annual meeting, as part of matching program, a mini-grant program, station exchange, and to participate in Congressional Visits Day. Grant recipients turn in receipts of their costs and then they are reimbursed by the Treasurer. Beth Norman Secretary 1463 Cash reimbursement Annual meeting travel expenses Conner Philson Board of Directors member 1626 Cash reimbursement Annual meeting travel assistance Scott Thomas Member of Board of Directors 1500 Cash reimbursement Annual meeting travel assistance Teresa Schueller Member of the Board of Directors 1127 Cash reimbursement Annual meeting travel expenses Rhonda Struminger Member of Board of Directors 1500 Cash reimbursement Annual meeting travel expenses Sonia Nobrega Member of the Board of Directors 942 Cash reimbursement Annual meeting travel expenses Form 990, Part III, Line 2 The OBFS started a mini-grants program for field stations. Members apply for a small amount ($5,000 or less) grant funding for their field station. Grants must align with some aspect of the 5 year strategic plan. OBFS also started a station exchange program between member field stations. This program allows members from two or three field stations to visit another field station to learn about specific station operations or programs. The goal of the program is to foster an exchange of ideas. Form 990, Part III, Line 3 The OBFS membership was surveyed about the organization and membership expectations and future directions of the organization. That survey was completed in 2022, with a final payment to the contractor made in May, 2023. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 Members pay dues and participate in the governance of The Organization of Biological Field Stations, primarily by running for organization offices or electing Board Members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a Members participate in the governance of The Organization of Biological Field Stations, primarily by running for organization offices or electing Board Members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7b Changes in the bylaws of the organization. Members are also called upon to vote on large initiatives, such as a five year strategic plan. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b Form 990 is completed by the Treasurer, reviewed by the President and filed. Completed forms are stored electronically and available to Board members. Members may have copies of all tax forms or monthly financial reports upon request. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 All financial forms available upon request by members or the public. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 All financial forms available upon request by members or the public. Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Gains from investment account = $90,179 in 2023.