Minutes of the International Society of Zoological Sciences General Meeting

Held at the XIX Annual Congress, Beijing, Room 4, BICC, 1900 hours, August 24^th 2004.

Present:

International Zoology Congress Committee members Dr. J. Buckeridge, (NZ, Chair), Dr. E. Cooper (USA), Dr. R. Polymeni (Greece), Dr. M. Schmitt (Germany), Dr. D. Song (China), plus Dr. Z. Zhang (China, Congress Vice Chair), Dr. D. Por (Israel, Immediate Past Chairman of IZCC) and 151 delegates.

Apologies:

Dr. W. Bock (Congress Committee, USA)

Agenda Items:

1. Opening Remarks: Members were welcomed to the Congress by the Chair, the current Congress Committee was introduced.

2. Report from the XIX Congress Organising Committee: Dr Zhang advised that there were 677 delegates, of whom 347 were Chinese. This shows a healthy increase over the Athens Congress. There are 510 oral paper and 220 posters.

3. Proposal of the Venue for the 2008 Congress: Dr J-M Jallon presented the proposal from The Zoological Society of France.

Vote: This proposal was approved by an overwhelming majority (show of hands).

The next Congress will be hosted by the Universities of Paris 6 and Paris11, in Association with the Museum Nationale d'Histoire Naturelle and a consortium of French Scientific Societies.

4. IUBS Cairo Report: Endorsement of the opportunity to re-activate an "International Zoological Society" was obtained at the Cairo Meeting, after a submission by Dr Buckeridge and Dr. Zhang. An outline of developments towards developing universal norms in bioethics was presented by Dr Buckeridge. Members were invited to provide input at a workshop on the following day.

5. Proposal for an International Society of Zoological Sciences. Dr Por provided an overview of zoological congress history. He gave an impassioned case for establishment of a zoological sciences society. Dr Buckeridge called for a vote on the establishment of an International Society of Zoological Sciences.

Vote: This proposal was approved by an overwhelming majority (show of hands).

The name of the new society was agreed as The International Society of Zoological Sciences

Approved by acclamation

6. Election of Officers: All offices in the society became officially vacant. There were thus seven committee vacancies, including President and Vice-President(s). Seven nominations were received by the Congress Secretariat by 1200 noon on the 24th August. These fulfill the requirements of the Society and are hereby elected.

The Committee of the International Society of Zoological Sciences is thus: Dr. J. Buckeridge, (NZ), Dr. E. Cooper (USA), Dr J-M Jallon (France), Dr. R. Polymeni (Greece), Dr. M. Schmitt (Germany), Dr. D. Song (China), and Dr. Z. Zhang (China)

Approved by acclamation

The retirement of Dr Walter Bock from the 2000-2004 Zoological Congress Committee was noted and his valuable input was acknowledged. The incoming President will write a letter of thanks from the Society.

Action: Incoming President

7. Time between Congresses: Dr Schmitt provided an outline of the disadvantages of a 4-year cycle, in particular the clash this generated with other congresses such as Entomology. A vote from the floor, to provide the Committee with feedback, (through which they may make an informed decision), was held.

There was strong support for a 5-year cycle.

8. Venue for the 2012/13 ISZS Congress: Dr Cooper and Dr Schmitt led a discussion on the choice of host for the XXI Congress. There was strong support for holding this in the United States, with the one after this being held in the Southern Hemisphere. The Committee is to deliberate on this over the next 2 years. It is expected that this will be finalized before the 2008 Congress.

9. Society Publications: The potential for a journal, to publish themes pertinent to zoological science was discussed. This would provide a useful vehicle for integration of the "big issues" in zoology. Dr Cooper and Dr Stenseth (Norway) were strong advocates for utilizing an existing journal.

Approved by acclamation

10. Honorary Society Secretary: Dr Yan Xie was appointed as Honorary Secretary of the ISZS.

Approved by acclamation

The meeting closed at 2030 hours.

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