Message for ISRS Members

[CRCP]

Mike, Terry and others,

The attempt to get more subscriptions of the journal "Coral Reefs" to
developing countries was partially successful by the establishment of the
"Sustaining Members" category a few years ago.  The money raised from this
membership category is used for subscriptions and scholarships, largely for
developing world students.  Individuals who would like reduced membership and
the journal can do so by writing to Rich Aronson
<raronson at jaguar!.usouthal.edu>.  Individuals who would like to see these
activities happen should pay the sustaining membership fee every year.

The number of Sustaining Members has vacillated around ten individuals since
its inception in 1998 which probably generates less than $500 per year.  This
is far too few to offer more than a few reduced memberships and the free
distribution of journals.  I would also like to see a small grants program
develop from this fund.  For this to happen more people need to join under this
membership category to increase the money available for these types of charity
activities. Please become a sustaining member so we can do more for the
countries with the reefs that we love.

Tim McClanahan

Mike Risk wrote:

> Terry (and others):
>
> I hesitate to enter this debate because, like most debates concerning coral
> reefs, it has already been done elsewhere...
>
> I certainly understand that, without ISRS subscriptions, there would be no
> Coral Reefs. Journals published by professional societies generally give
> good value. On the other hand: Coral Reefs is a rare bird, in that it
> contains papers written largely by those of us in the developed world,
> describing an ecosystem that is largely owned by the Third World. There are
> few journals, and few professional societies, sharing this distinction.
>
> At Ginsburg's 1993 (?) meeting in Miami, on Health, Hazards and History of
> Reefs, this very aspect was brought up, and pursued with some vigour by
> those of us who work in lesser-developed nations. Tim McClanahan took the
> matter further, and suggested to the publishers of Coral Reefs, and to
> Council, that ISRS somehow acknowledge this state of affairs. Memory fades,
> but I think some of the ideas suggested involved things like issue
> donations, a two-tier price system, etc...basically, the response was: No.
> No way to get there from here.
>
> This stands in contrast to the attitude taken by Inter-Science, publishers
> of MEPS: a much more expensive, much more highly-cited journal than Coral
> Reefs. They recently offered to donate entire back issues of some of their
> journals to any deserving developing nation-one need pay only the shipping.
> In describing the offer, the publishers spoke eloquently of the difference
> between "them" and "us" in access to the literature, and of their desire to
> alleviate this. Because of this magnanimous offer, I was able to ship
> perhaps $30,000 in back issues to our partner university in Indonesia:
> several marine journals, including MEPS.
>
> When I see this sort of thinking emanating from ISRS Council, I will know we
> are in good hands. As a starter, I suggest Council bring to the membership a
> resolution along the lines that each subscriber to Coral Reefs pay an
> additional annual levy ($50?). This money would be used to pay for extra
> copies of the journal-at publisher's cost-to be shipped to educational and
> research institutions in the Third World. This would be a wonderful PR coup
> for the Society. The extra levy could be designated a "charitable donation",
> and hence a tax deduction. Win-win.
>
> ~~~~~~~
> For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
> digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
> menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.

--
Tim McClanahan
Coral Reef Conservation Project
The Wildlife Conservation Society
Kibaki Flats #12
Kenyatta Beach, Bamburi
P.O. Box 99470
Mombasa, Kenya
email: crcp at africaonline.co.ke
Tel O: 254 11 485570
Tel H: 486549




~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.