SON Mission Funds Available
According to our constitution: “The purpose of the Society shall be the
advancement of the science of nematology, in both its fundamental and its
economic aspects...The Society is organized and shall be operated on a
nonprofit basis exclusively in advancing these educational and scientific
purposes for the science of nematology.” New this year, the Executive Board has
made funds available to SON members to serve this purpose. These funds are SON
Mission Funds and can be used to advance nematology.
How much money is available? In consultation
with our financial advisors, the Executive Board has followed the example of
other non-profit organizations, such as Harvard University, in
determining how much money to make available for these mission funds. This
year, 5% of the market value of our investment portfolio will be made available
to support the mission of SON. Part of these funds are used to support travel
awards at the annual SON meeting. The amount that is available to SON members
for activities that advance nematology this year is $19,790.
What kinds of activities will be funded? We
want to use these funds to advance educational and scientific aspects of the
science of nematology, and we welcome your ideas. Last year, we used $9,450 to
support student travel awards to the 2024 SON conference. These funds were used to
cover the cost of registration for awardees (at the SON-student member rate). We also used $4,352.79 to support
two crop tours for student and postdoc members.
How can SON members apply to use these funds?
You can send an email to the Executive Board
detailing your idea along with your budget. These proposals are discussed and
voted on by the Executive Board at our regular meetings during the year. Our
goal is to commit and/or spend this year’s funds in furtherance of the SON
mission by the end of the 2025 meeting.
This model of expenditure will be reevaluated at the end of
the 2025 meeting pending on our financial situation.