Abstract Detail
Mycology Kasson, Matthew [1], Lovett, Brian [1]. Finding consensus through policy: navigating polarizing issues to respond to MSA membership concerns. The insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 initiated discussions among MSA members on whether our professional society should release a formal statement denouncing the violence. Ultimately, MSA decided not to release a statement because there is not an equitable policy in place to evaluate and respond to such concerns. Discussions centered on who should be involved in that process and when it is appropriate for a non-profit scientific organization to release a statement that may be perceived as a political statement. Another concern was that organizations that rely heavily on an ad hoc style of governance risk being perceived as exclusionary, reactionary and short-sighted. This dialog inspired MSA leadership to support a workshop that will serve as a foundation for a transparent mechanism to respond to future concerns and possibly a standing committee for this purpose.
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1 - West Virginia Univesity, Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, Morgantown , WV, 26506
Keywords:
none specified
Presentation Type: Workshop
Session: W10, Finding consensus through policy: navigating polarizing issues to respond to MSA membership concerns
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Sunday, July 18th, 2021
Time: 12:00 PM(EDT)
Number: W10001
Abstract ID:46
Candidate for Awards:None | 