Vol 53, 2001 - Northern State University

have become even more robust.Although I should probably not admit to it, I even enjoy the annual SDOUbusiness meetings. Here is an opportunity to discuss ecological and politicalconcerns and have the opportunity to steer our organization's future. If all elsefails, it is often amusing to discover what our friends find to be of vital importance.To sum up, spring and fall meetings provide excellent opportunities to explorealmost every corner of South Dakota, meet a fascinating diversity of birders,and learn new things about the feathered creatures we all enjoy. Speaking ofSDOU meetings, two outstanding ones are coming up over the next year. Thefirst is in Pierre on 12-13 October and the second in Aberdeen in May 2002. TheSouth Dakota Ornithologists' Union is remarkable in its vitality and relativeyouth of its members (that gray hair in the mirror just can't be mine). We allthink young, anyway. But we could always use a few new members. Perhapseach one of us could all make an effort to invite a friend to either or both of theseupcoming meetings. Failing that, I have always thought all SDOU membersshould resolve to sign up two new members. I am quick to suggest to birders thatthey join SDOU and have found it surprisingly easy to interest them in our group.Dan Tallman, Northern State University,Aberdeen SD 57401.1jI\\2000 REPORT OF THE RARE BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEEDavid L. Swanson.Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069The SDOU Rare Bird Records Committee (RBRC) met on 21 May 2000at Sioux Falls and on 1 October 2000 at Pierre. The members of the committeewere David Swanson (secretary), Paul Springer, Todd Jensen, J. David Williams,and Jeffrey Palmer. All members either attended each meeting or voted in absentia.The purpose and voting procedure of the committee are outlined by Springer(1988. SDBN 40:67-70). Observers of rare or unusual birds in South Dakota areencouraged to report their observations to any of the following: the secretary ofthe RBRC (currently David Swanson of Vermillion, SD) or other Records Committeemembers, compiler of the quarterly Seasonal Reports in South DakotaBird Notes (Jeffrey Palmer of Madison, SD and Robb Schenck of Sioux Falls,SD), or the editor of Bird Notes (Dan Tallman of Aberdeen, SD). A Rare BirdObservation Form is available for this purpose from any of the people to whomthese reports should be sent. Reports should be as detailed as possible and shoulddescribe the entire bird, as well as vocalizations or behaviors exhibited by thebird at the time of observation. Notes on the observation for rare bird reportsshould be prepared during the observation or as soon afterward as possible, pref-SOUTHDAKOTABIRDNOTES53(3):44SEPTEMBER2001