From the Board - August 2026

This past May, the IOS Board of Directors met for our regular spring meeting. The following information is a snapshot of what was discussed and what was voted on. 

The Board adopted a Conflicts of Interest policy. This policy directly affects members of the BoD as well as members of Committees, and helps to ensure that the IOS will not be negatively affected through the private actions of individuals working with other organizations. 

The Committees each reported on their respective work as noted below:

• Development and Outreach Committee: noted that an increased number of members have joined or renewed at the Insignis level ($100 US). Members who had not renewed were noted for contact by Committee or BOD Members.
   
• Editorial Committee: reported that the cost for mailing International Oaks has increased to nearly what it costs to print. A few options were discussed, including printing and mailing from the US instead of Europe, but the initial cost savings look to be neglibigle. More research is being conducted.  

• Finance Committee: The Conference financial report was positive, but notes were made in looking forward to the organization of the 12^th Triennial Conference in 2028. Items such as exchange rates, funding of speakers, etc. were discussed. 

  The creation of an Administrative Coordinator was approved with full Board support (and one abstaining). This position will coordinate between committees, keep our website up to date, manage membership, design and distribute newsletters and bulletins, support Conferences, Tours, Oak Open Days and Webinars, assist the Treasurer with financial transactions and reporting, and help with the administration of the Oak Conservation and Research Fund, including grant management, outreach, and fundraising support. This position is initially funded by a matching donation pledged by Mark Krautmann and was offered to Roderick Cameron. He has accepted the position, so we congratulate Roderick!  Mark’s matching pledge means his contribution will be doubled if other members also donate to support the position. If you would like to contribute in this way and help strengthen the IOS, please contact the Finance Committee at treasurer@internationaloaksociety.org.The Board also approved a donation to Trees and Shrubs Online, which has triggered a matching contribution pledged by an IOS member. The donation was made possible by a gift from Mark Krautmann, so it does not represent a direct expense for the IOS. Many thanks to Mark for his generous gifts. 

  The Treasurer suggested that the IOS convert our current record-keeping system to a financial technology company that provides corporate credit cards, expense management, and bill-payment software for businesses. RAMP Banking and Treasury was the company selected. This will streamline our transactions, give the Treasurer more flexibility, and provide online options for tracking accounts, etc. 

• Oak Conservation and Research Committee: It was discussed that the Committee should establish an additional category of grants to support projects addressing taxonomic issues, errors, or conflicts that could help resolve longstanding taxonomic or nomenclatural questions. The proposal was unanimously approved and referred to the Taxonomy and Nomenclature Committee for drafting. 
   
• Taxonomy and Nomenclature Committee: prepared a document on the new Tax Comm governance decisions. Moving forward, there will be three subgroups (Cultivar, Data Quality & Botanical Names, and Advisory), with each group working on various projects. As of May, 2026, Charles Snyers has agreed to Chair the Committee. We thank Charles for stepping into this role as well as all of his hard work updating The3oaknames.org. 
        
• Tours and Events Committee: updated the Board on upcoming events for the society, detailed elsewhere in this newsletter. 

Ryan Russell 
President
International Oak Society