2025-04-08T20:04:02-07:00 2024-12-31 990 2024-01-01 711047817 ORGANIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATIONS INC ORGA 4133877983 108 Petticoat Hill Rd Williamsburg MA 01096 Paul Wetzel Treasurer 4133877983 2025-04-07 1 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X Rhonda S Struminger 8913 Highfield Rd Richmond VA 23229 137928 0 X www.OBFS.org X 1990 MO Helping member field stations increase their effectiveness in supporting scientific research, experiential education of students and outreach programs. 16 16 0 50 0 0 78351 53442 0 66019 16196 17622 0 -3067 94547 134016 41219 31161 0 0 0 0 0 0 6857 53712 97026 94931 128187 -384 5829 732535 860039 0 0 732535 860039 X To assist members in providing infrastructure for exemplary scientific research, innovative & effective learning & informed natural resource stewardship. To enhance the capacity of field stations through training & information sharing. To educate the public and decision makers about the critical role of field stations in scientific research and education. To enhance public support for funding field stations and the activities supported at field stations. 1 0 90755 0 0 One of the most important functions of the OBFS is providing networking capacity among about 150 field stations and 40 individual members throughout the world. The professional field station network is maintained with a new website that contains a variety of information, such as a map with the locations of member field stations, examples of field station policies, and information on special events, funding opportunities, and jobs postings. A complete revision of the website was completed in 2024 with the goals of making a more user friendly website ($28,466). The OBFS hired a website administrator contractor ($13,635) to maintain the website. Annual meetings are a second way that OBFS maintains a professional network. In 2024 the OBFS annual meeting was held at The Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, Georgetown, South Carolina ($36,842). Participants attended workshops on timely topics and heard a variety of speakers. Travel assistance was given to a small number of Board members without institutional support ($3,399). Early and middle career travel awards were also given to two members to attend the annual meeting ($3,363). The OBFS continues to build connections with the communities where annual meetings are held by holding a local fundraising event in an effort to showcase the work of field stations to the general public ($4,811). Using the new website, the entire meeting was run by OBFS for the first time, rather than being run by the host institution. 17078 0 0 As part of its strategic plan, OBFS worked to increase its international presence. OBFS made a concerted effort to increase international membership by establishing an International Matching Program (Resources spent in 2024 = $7,362). This program brings two or more stations together to deepen networking opportunities throughout our international community or jump start multi-year research projects or collaborations across diverse lands and expertise. Findings from visits are presented at "Virtual Cafe" talks four times annually. These talks are simultaneously translated into English or Spanish ($200). A second related program, the Station Exchange program, that provides travel awards for field station staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities as a way to connect with peers (Resources spent in 2024 = $2,640). Finally, OBFS established a mini-grants program to support small research or infrastructure projects that support strategic planning goals (Resources spent in 2024 = $6,875). 7522 0 0 The OBFS continues to be a member of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) ($750), a confederation of smaller scientific organizations that provides educational, professional, and public policy opportunities for the group. Education of decision makers about the critical role of field stations for experiential learning, the blending of art and natural history, and in scientific research is another program service accomplishment of OBFS. This year OBFS contributed to Congressional Visits Day, a program sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences. This program allows members to meet with their Congressional state delegation to inform them of the role of field stations in scientific research, conservation, and the education of a new generation of scientists. OBFS also paid the registration fees for 3 members to attend these programs ($3,615). The OBFS continued to support the Virtual Field, an effort to create and distribute virtual learning resources that focused on teaching observational skills through virtual experiences from field stations and marine laboratories to support faculty, students, and others ($3,157). 0 0 15000 The OBFS received a generous grant from the Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation, San Francisco, CA ($15,0000). This grant will support graduate students from member organizations in field-based research. The OBFS will solicit grant applications from member stations in February to award grant money for the 2025 field season. 0 0 15000 115355 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 MA X X Paul R Wetzel 4135852646 108 Petticoat Hill Road Williamsburg MA 01096 Sarah Oktay Network Coordinator 10 0 X 8500 0 0 Sarah Oktay Co-Chair - Development Committee 0.5 X 0 0 0 Stacy McNulty Editor 4 0 X 0 0 0 Sonia Nobrega Member at Large - One 2 X 0 0 0 Megan DiNapoli Member at Large - Two 2 X 0 0 0 Sofia Rodriguez Member at Large - Early Career 2 X 0 0 0 Itchung Cheung Chair - Collaborations Committee 2 X 0 0 0 Brian Kloeppel Co-chair - Development Committee 1 X 0 0 0 Shane Waddell Chair - Governance & Sustainability Committee 2 X 0 0 0 Tori McDermott Co-chair - IDEA+ Committee 1 0 X 0 0 0 David Maneli Chair - International Committee 2 X 0 0 0 Conner Philson Chair - Outreach and Communications Committee 2 X 0 0 0 Lara Roketenetz Past President (ex officio) 2 X 0 0 0 Skip van Bloem Vice President 5 X 0 0 0 Beth Norman Secretary 3 X 0 0 0 Paul R Wetzel Treasurer 5 X 0 0 0 Rhonda Struminger President 6 X 0 0 0 8500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17576 13546 0 0 22320 0 53442 Registration fees for OBFS annual meeting 611430 66019 66019 0 0 0 0 0 0 66019 17622 17622 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 845 13546 3912 -3067 0 -3067 0 134016 83641 0 -3067 X 7522 7522 23639 23639 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 42301 42301 5975 5975 6857 6857 37082 37082 Communications & Outreach events/President's Fund 4811 4811 0 0 128187 115355 5975 6857 92238 57235 199308 216287 0 15000 440989 571517 732535 860039 0 0 X 92238 57235 0 0 640297 802804 732535 860039 732535 860039 X 5829 0 0 0 0 121675 X 0 0 0 X 40464 40460 40700 64756 40741 227121 8890 10707 13184 13595 13546 59922 49354 51167 53884 78351 54287 287043 287043 4856 3393 7414 16196 17622 49481 4856 3393 7414 16196 17622 49481 54210 54560 61298 94547 71909 336524 0.85296 0.88139 0.14704 0.11861 X 0 75510 3322 0 0 0 78832 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 The OBFS endowment was established in June 2024 for the purposes of providing a source of stable income other than membership dues for the organization. Life time memberships to OBFS and donor specified donations are the source of endowment contributions. Income from the endowment is not expected for 8 to 10 years. 1 Travel assistance to annual meeting. 5 6762 0 Travel assistance for two OBFS members to participate in Congressional Visits Day. 2 3615 0 Participants in the field station matching program can receive funds for research projects and travel to each other's stations. 4 7362 0 OBFS members may apply for mini-grants for projects that support OBFS strategic plan initiatives. 3 6875 0 The station exchange program contributes up to $1000 for travel expenses for stations to visit each other and share ideas. 3 2640 0 Schedule I, Part I, Line 2 OBFS provides a limited number of travel awards (assistance) to the annual meeting, as part of matching program, a mini-grant program, station exchange, and to participate in Congressional Visits Day. Grant recipients turn in receipts of their costs and then they are reimbursed by the Treasurer. Form 990, Part III, Line 2 The OBFS received a generous grant from the Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation, San Francisco, CA ($15,0000). This grant will support graduate students from member organizations in field-based research. The OBFS will solicit grant applications from member stations in February to award grant money for the 2025 field season. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 Members pay dues and participate in the governance of The Organization of Biological Field Stations, primarily by running for organization offices or electing Board Members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a The governing body is elected by the members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7b Changes in the bylaws of the organization. Members are also called upon to vote on large initiatives, such as a five year strategic plan. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The treasurer completes the form and then sends it to the Vice-President or President for review. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c All board members are required to fill out a conflict of interest form annually. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 These documents are posted on the OBFS website. Form 990, Part IX, Line 1 American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) membership; Donation to Waccamaw Indian People, Conway, SC Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g The OBFS paid the following amounts to contractors in 2024: New website design--last payment ($19,965.98); Website text writing, editing, help with member transition ($8,500); Website administrator ($13,635); Event translation services ($200). Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Gains from investments in 2024.