ELECTIONS:  It is time once again to elect an NCHS Vice-President and Secretary (President and Treasurer will be elected next fall).  Following are the nominees for two-year terms beginning 1 January 2010.  Additional nominations will be accepted during the business session at the Fall Meeting.  Ballots are included in this newsletter.  Extra ballots will be available at the registration table during the Fall Meeting.  A space for write-in candidates is included.  Members may vote after nominations have been closed during the business session at the Fall Meeting (a special time will be set aside for voting), or they may mail in their ballots.  Ballots must be returned by 15 November 2009.  Individual members are allowed one vote each, and family memberships are also allowed one vote per family.

Also, be sure to cast your vote for NCHS Member-of-the-Year for 2009.  A space will be included on the ballot along with the candidates for office.  Nominations should be based primarily on outstanding service or contributions to NCHS, but outstanding contributions to the field of herpetology, conservation, or education may also be considered as criteria.  Only current dues-paying members are eligible for nomination.  All members are allowed one vote.  Family memberships are allowed one vote per family.  The winner will receive a certificate and a year's free membership, and will be announced in the January newsletter.

CANDIDATES FOR NCHS OFFICERS (2010-2011)

VICE-PRESIDENT

NAME:  Jeff Humphries
LOCATION: Chapel Hill, NC
PRESENT POSITION:  Piedmont Wildlife Diversity Biologist (Herpetologist), North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
EDUCATION:  B.S. Zoology, Miami University; M.S. Biological Sciences, Marshall University; Ph.D. Forest Resources, Clemson University.
INTERESTS:  Natural history and effects of land use on amphibians and reptiles; hellbenders, green salamanders, gopher frogs, and everything else.
SERVICE:  Current Vice-President seeking re-election.  Member since 2004; speaker at 2004 and 2007 Spring Meetings and 2008 Fall Meeting; led fieldtrip for 2009 Spring Meeting; participated in “Reptile and Amphibian Day”; active in NCPARC; founding member of “Froggy Bottom Boys”; has contributed material to newsletter.
CAMPAIGN SLOGAN:  “Don’t be a chump–-Vote for Hump (again).”
SMEAR-CAMPAIGN SLOGAN:  “My opponent is scared of worm snakes and thinks waterdogs are golden retrievers.”

NAME:  Melissa Jones
LOCATION:  Raleigh, NC
PRESENT POSITION:  Wildlife Education Specialist, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
EDUCATION:  B.S. Zoology, Southwest Texas State University; M.S. Wildlife Ecology, Texas State University.
INTERESTS:  Anything herp-related.  Particularly interested in water snakes and the breeding behaviors of the Houston Toad.
SERVICE:  Member since 2008; speaker at 2009 Spring Meeting; has helped with NCHS educational booths at Dixie Deer Classic; participated in NCHS field trips; active in NCPARC.  First-time candidate for office.
CAMPAIGN SLOGAN:  “You'd be swell to vote for Mel.”
SMEAR-CAMPAIGN SLOGAN:  “Jonesin for a change?”

SECRETARY

NAME:  Lori Williams
LOCATION:  Fletcher, NC
PRESENT POSITION:  Mountain Wildlife Diversity Biologist, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
EDUCATION:  B.S. English, Secondary Education, Appalachian State University (1993); B.S. Wildlife Science, Virginia Tech (2000); M.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, Virginia Tech (2004).
INTERESTS:  Conservation of all herps and their habitats; anything related to nature or natural resources; reading; writing; sports.
SERVICE:  Current Secretary seeking re-election for a third term.  Member since 2004; very active with Project Bog Turtle; speaker at 2006 Spring Meeting; has helped with NCHS booths at “Reptile and Amphibian Day” and Eno River Festival; helped lead 2004 Spring Meeting field trip; helped with meeting planning, auction, and field trips at 2007 Spring Meeting; has contributed material to newsletter and donated items to auctions; active in NCPARC.
CAMPAIGN SLOGAN:  "Why stop now?”