Date: 1/28/26 8:43 am From: Chris Kellner <ckellner...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I agree with Charles that our name should encompass the role of our group in supporting research and conservation, so I would prefer society over club.
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From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Charles H Mills <00000218c727d931-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:35 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
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Assuming that a name change is inevitable, it appears that we’re moving towards a consensus of not using personal names. I can agree with that. That being said, the AAS has a long-standing tradition of solid contributions towards bird study/research, conservation awareness, and educational outreach. I think that, whatever name is chosen, it should emerge from and respect those contributions and not sound like a social media group.
Charles Mills
Texarkana TX
On Jan 28, 2026, at 10:13 AM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
I also agree with not using a person’s name. Better do a thorough background check if you do.
Sandy
On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:08 AM Allan Mueller <akcmueller...><mailto:<akcmueller...>> wrote:
I agree with Kenny and Francie about not using any person's name.
Allan Mueller
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:08 PM Robert Day <rhday52...><mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
Or, to avoid confusion with ABA (American Birding Association), maybe the Arkansas Birding Alliance could be shortened to ArBA?
I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
I like the notion of being in an alliance with birds, the word having evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the 21st Century.
We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas Birding Alliance.
Maybe we could go with ARBA?
Francie Bolter
Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the same acronym as the American Birding Association?
Good birding,
Jacob Wessels
Starkville, MS
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...><mailto:<robinbuff...>> wrote:
I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society, although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term Ornithology.
Robin Buff
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...><mailto:<elaster523...>> wrote:
I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named after anyone.
I think Dr. Day's 'Arkansas Bird Club' is a good suggestion. Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
My two cents.
Kenny Nichols
Dardanelle, AR
On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <rhday52...><mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that "Club" may not be a good moniker.
Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
Bob
Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
SW Bentonville
cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...><mailto:<rhday52...>
On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...><mailto:<bhaas...>> wrote:
Dear ARBIRDers,
Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
"The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
