36 
Bulletin of the EANHS 27(2/3) 
13. How would you feel If the Society decided to 
change its name? 
No 
% 
Support in pnnople 
18 
21.7 
Object 
23 
27 7 
No strong feelings 
39 
47.0 
Depending on name 
3 
36 
Total 
83 
100 
14. Are there any other points you would like to 
make? 
No 
More indigenous mvolvemenl 6 
You’re doing a good job 5 
Activities on weekends 2 
Get publications out on time 2 
Solve transport problem 2 
Better PR 1 
Total 18 
The responses to this last question and question 1 2 
were similar. Iherc was a lot of emphasis on better PR— 
we are working hard on this. Another concern was the 
perennial problem of transport, especially for younger 
members. References to it came up throughout the 
questionnaire. There are solutions being looked for for 
this perennial problem. This isn't an easy one. but we 
must try to solve it if we are to involve more young 
people, and the need to involve and encourage young 
naturalists/conscrvationists is very dear 
Several members emphasised (lull we should mil 
lose the Regional outlook of the Society This was an 
important concern of those attending the workshop as 
well, and is being kept firmly in mind 
Several members expressed concern about the 
Society getting involved in the 'political quagmire' of 
active advocacy. On the other hand, mans members 
expressed the wish to sec the Society more involved in 
this. In recent years we have moved in the direction of 
advocacy, because our mandate of promoting 
conservation makes this unavoidable Caring ubout the 
environment implies action as well as words. 
A subject that has come up many times in the 
Executive Committee meetings appeared in the 
questionnaire also: the liming of talks and trips. There 
were several suggestions that the talks he moved to the 
weekend which has. in fact, already been considered. 
There was also one suggestion that trips be sometimes 
held on Saturdays for those who worship on Sundays. 
Several members expressed (tmldj frustration that 
activities were Urn much centred on Nairobi. Evidently 
there is plenty of scope for regional members' groups. 
As there are lots of active and interested members 
outside Ndiiubi. we hope dial a number uf these groups 
will take off soon. The Executive Committee is looking 
into the best ways of encouraging and supporting a 
process of regionalisation. 
In response to the last question, one member asked 
“Why the questionnaire— is there a crisis??" No. there 
is no crisis. With assistance from the RSPB, we have an 
opportunity to modernise and invigorate the Society, 
but wc want to be sure that wc act as true representatives 
of the members. In order to do so, we needed some feed 
back from you — hence, the questionnaire. 
LA. Dcpcw. Editor. Box 57. Kilifi. Kenya 
87TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 
The 87th annual general meeting of the Society took 
place on Monday, 9 June. 1 997, in the Louis Leakey 
Memorial Auditorium of the National Museums of 
Kenya. The agenda items were: approval of the minutes 
of the 86th AGM, matters arising from these minutes. 
Chairman’s report. Honorary Treasurer's report for 1996 
and election of the executive committee and several sub- 
committees. 
Below are the chairman and treasurer's reports. It 
was encouraging to hear the optimism expressed in both 
reports. The elected officers and members of the 
Executive Commmcc and sub-committees are listed on 
the back cover. 
The meeting was followed by an extremely 
interesting and ut times amusing video entitled Flying 
for Gold, about the flying feats of birds. 
F.ANHS Chairman’s Report 1996/7 
Ladies and gentlemen 
I am delighted to welcome you all to the Society's 87th 
Annual General Meeting. 
You may have noticed that the Chairman is limping 
and the Honorary Secretary is on crutches! Rest 
assured that there is no symbolic significance attached 
to this. 
The Chairman's speech on these occasions serves 
as a record of our activities, our successes and our 
failures as a Society over die past year. This time, though. 
I am going to treat the events of the year rather briefly, 
for the good reasons that I want to talk to you also 
about die future, and that I would otherwise end up 
speaking for half the night. 
It has once again been a busy year, especially for 
our proliferating sub-committees and projects. A few 
examples: the Kenya Wetlands Working Group 
successfully brought to a close important bibliographic 
and inventory projects, as well as hosting an almost 
confusing profusion of seminars and workshops. 
Among other activities. Birdl.ife Kenya held a 
productive meeting on Birds and People', and 
continued to work with the Museum to produce ‘Kenya 
Birds'. Our newest sub committee, which dcaU with 
mammals, has made an active and enthusiastic start, 
and is currently compiling information on who is doing 
what mammal research in the region Succulcnta EA 
kept up a lively programme of events and outings, and 
