Butterfly Breeders Formal Charities Committee

Phyllis Baker (Chair)
– Direction, reporting and establishment of incorporation;
Phyllis@suncoastbutterfly.com

Melanie McCarthy
– Board associate in review and establishment of corporation.
monarchs@themonarchy.com

Gary Geer
– Board associate to establish grants for student programs.

Jodi Hopper
– Management of Wings of Hope

Michelle Collier
– Grants Specialist

Charge: To explore the possibility of incorporating, as an arm of the IBBA, a 501C3 organization.  Investigate granting sources and other funding for educational and conservation efforts. Assist the Wings of Hope Program in establishing and following protocol for Wings of Hope Releases. 

Butterfly Gardening Committee

Edith Smith (Chair)

Charge: Provide butterfly gardening information to all IBBA members. Research and provide information by area of the country and/or world when requested by members. Be available to research and answer questions posted to the IBBA mailing list by members about gardening and growing plants in gardens or greenhouses. Provide information about sources for items needed for growing host plants such as pots, groundcover, media, seed, and fertilizer. As much as possible, provide answers to disease and pest problems in/on butterfly plants. May provide an online Butterfly Gardening 101 class at least once a year. Organize and oversee seed swaps for members online and/or at the IBBA annual convention.

Bylaws Committee

Melanie McCarthy (Chair)

Kathleen Ziemer
Dale McClung
Peggy Hatcher

Charge:  Periodic review of Bylaws to monitor effectiveness for IBBA.  When requested, provide intent of and/or interpretation of Bylaws.  In addition, this committee will make recommendations and/or receive recommendations for  amendments or revisions to the Bylaws.

Convention Committee

Edith Smith (Chair)

Liz Swanson, Nancy Hobart,
Karen Huff, Anne Collins,
Mercedes Frace, Dan and Kay Greathouse, Melanie McCarthy
Doddie Drake, Donna Pless
Gary Geer, Rick Mikula
Lee Sissel, Nigel Venters

Charge:  Recommend convention site, prepare and finalize educational programming as well as the proposed budget. Assume responsibility for all convention logistics. (Convention budget and contracts are subject to Board approval.)

Education Committee

Nigel Venters
Grace Sipowicz
Paul Chesterfield
Kathleen Ziemer
Melanie McCarthy
Lee Sissel 

Charge:  To facilitate and/or moderate classes for IBBA Members.

Finance Committee

Melanie McCarthy (Chair)

Doddie Drake (IBBA Treasurer)

Charge: Be responsible for providing guidance and assistance to the Board in all aspects of fiscal management of the IBBA, Inc.  May oversee production and integration of committee and/or personnel budgets, assists with completion of requisite state and/or federal forms and annual returns/reports.

International Members Committee

Anne Collins (Chair)

Charge:  The International Committee is charged with promoting butterfly breeding and releases under the same charter and code of practice as the United States (its charter country).  However it is recognized that each country has different butterfly laws, covering the capture of wild stock, breeding, releases, business issues and import and export.  The International Committee is an integral part of the IBBA and as such the committee will include one member of the IBBA Board of Directors.  It’s main aim will be to 1) Identify these countries’ specific issues 2) Address the needs and concerns specific to the IBBA’s membes conducting business outside of the United States (its charter country), 3) Offer solutions to threats and support for opportunities. 4) Contribute to the success of the IBBA Worldwide.

Merchandise Sales

Liz Swanson

Charge: Direct and oversee operations of the IBBA Store.

Membership Committee

Gary Geer 
Jon Timko
Dan Greathouse

Charge: Develop and implement recruitment strategies to increase membership to double its size for this year. May welcome and provide orientation to new members.

Political Action and Strategic Planning Committee

Melanie McCarthy (Chair)

Rick Mikula
-- USDA/Regulatory Officials Liaison
Kathleen Ziemer
Dale McClung

Charge: Strategize, plan and implement action to protect and develop our industry.  Work directly with regulatory agencies to bring benefit to the industry with favorable legislation and policy making.  Work with the board of directors to determine course of action and plan activities that provide the highest benefit to the members for their dues money.  Coordinate and manage all activities necessary in working with regulatory and permitting agencies.

Melanie McCarthy (Chair)

Paul Chesterfield (IBBA Webmaster)
Jack Mikula.

Scientific Research Committee

Charge: Through research, compile and present data to support the work of the Strategic Planning and P.A. Committee.

State Agricultural Officials Contact Committee

Melanie McCarthy (Chair)

Rick Mikula (Official IBBA Liaison to USDA)

Charge:  Liaison between IBBA and State Officials.  Responsible for updating information in the Permit Corner of the IBBA Website, updates state ag officials in Directory.

Wings of Hope Program

Jodi Hopper (Program Coordinator)

Melanie McCarthy (Board Liaison)
Velma Begley

Charge:  Under the auspices of the Butterfly Breeders Formal Charities Committee, oversee all aspects of the Wings of Hope Program; Recommend WHO policy for Board Approval.