reo Oui Ul UE TN 13 
some Reflections on the Society's Annual Meeting 
y PRESTON S. DAVIES and MARY KIRKLAND 
‘he 72nd Annual Meeting of the Illinois Audubon Society was held May 
6, 17, and 18 in the Holiday Inn, North Aurora—hosted by the Fox Valley 
‘lub, one of our outstanding chapters. 
On Friday evening, the meeting opened with a provocative discussion 
n “Falconry.” This was followed by a film and talk presented by Ducks 
Jnlimited. E. J. (Buss) Ruffing spoke about the aims and goals of his or- 
‘anization and later that evening, he showed a movie titled “Wood Duck’s 
Norld,” a beautiful film presentation of a magnificent bird. 
Early Saturday morning, some of the IAS chapter presidents met for 
reakfast and a lively give-and-take discussion about chapter problems 
nd an interchange of suggestions of how the chapters might improve and 
iow the IAS could help. 
The official annual meeting took place Saturday morning, with reports 
rom the vice-presidents. The annual meeting was followed by a panel 
liscussion led by Charles Lappen. During the discussion between the panel 
nembers and the audience, there was an exchange of ideas, suggestions, and 
ints about field trips, the newsletter, programs, club projects, and 
nembership. 
President Raymond Mostek gave a report on the progress of the 
ociety during the last 12 months. He pointed out that he has attended 
lumerous meetings and conferences in behalf of the society and has spoken 
nm the radio and before several groups. 
CONSERVATION: He noted that the IAS has been one of the leaders 
n the state to preserve the famed Allerton Park area and the effort has 
irawn nation-wide attention. IAS has also urged the establishment of 
sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan and a Big Thicket 
Vational Park in Texas. 
EDUCATION: We have printed over 20,000 educational cards and 
eaflets on many topics. These have been distributed to clubs, schools and 
ndividuals. The IAS Newsletter has been revised and redesigned to im- 
rove its appearance and readability. He pointed out that the Audubon 
3ULLETIN is now twice the size as it was a decade ago. 
FINANCE: A new fund-raising brochure has been mailed to all mem- 
ers. However, response has been poor. For example, Ducks Unlimited 
nembers donate an average of $36 each to their cause, while we have, as 
ndividuals, contributed so far less than 52 cents. A new service brochure, 
ontaining all items we have for sale has now been compiled and will be 
nailed again in the fall. 
EXTENSION: A new chapter has been formed near Rochelle by local 
nembers, and a new affiliate in the Starved Rock area has also been or- 
‘anized. We hope to form new groups in the western part of the state later 
his year. President Mostek again called for more volunteers to aid the 
\udubon movement, pointing out that the cause we serve is our very 
Nvironment. 
On Saturday afternoon Vinton Bacon presented a talk and slide pre- 
entation on water pollution and some of the achievements and aims of 
