The Sirenian International Participating Members Biennial Meeting will be held Thursday night, December 15th, 2005, 7-9:30 PM in Elizabeth "A" (NOT December 17th as previously posted). The Agenda is included below. No registration fee, but please register online at http://www.sirenian.org/membership.html. Walk-ins also welcome as space permits! An opportunity will be provided for networking among manatee & dugong scientists and for follow-up discussion from the USGS/USFWS International Sirenian Workshop on Sunday morning. Cheers, Caryn WHAT: Sirenian International, Inc., Biennial Participating Membership Meeting WHEN: Thursday 15 December 2005 19:00 - 21:30 WHERE: SMM Meetings - Room Elizabeth "A" The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration. AGENDA 19:00 Introductions and Thanks * Sirenian International is a totally inclusive organization of grassroots people who share a dedication to manatee & dugong conservation on a global scale. We are a research, education, and conservation organization, not an advocacy group. However, we encourage Participating Members to be advocates at their local level as they deem appropriate. * Introduction of our current Board of Directors (SIBOD) * Introduction of our current Scientific Advisory Council (SISAC) * Participating Membership (PM) - What is it? * Supporting Membership (SM) - What is it" * 2006-2008 SIBOD Slate of Nominees & Nominations from the Floor 19:30 Financial Report 2000-2005 19:45 New Business - Background and Open Discussion * A Brief History of Sirenian International * Calls for Proposals & Manatee & Dugong Projects Supported to Date * Where do we go from here? Recommendations for fundraising & recruitment of both Participating and Supporting Members 20:15 Break-out Groups * Leadership Roundtable - Current SIBOD and Nominees gather round and discuss the future of Sirenian International * Networking Roundtable -Sunday's Workshop Presenters, Attendees, and SAC gather round to make connections, share ideas, and mentor new sirenian scientists * Association to Save the Northernmost Dugong - Please join Yuuki Iwashina who is seeking scientific advice regarding conducting an EIA in Japan on the new proposed US Military Site. 21:15 Final Feedback and Discussion 21:30 Adjourn