Annual Meeting October 3rd
Please do let us know if you're planning to attend to help with our planning, preferably via email at BeetleBob2003@gmail.com, or by phone at 207-426-9629. Just expect to talk initially to a machine, since we get so many robocalls these days that we rarely answer the phone right off.
Join us on Saturday, October 3rd, for this year's M.E.S. Annual Meeting at Bob and Nettie Nelson's home in Clinton. One of the early items on the agenda is election of officers.
The MES Executive Committee has two Members-at-Large, currently Cathie Murray and Cyrene Slegona. These members are active in MES decision-making but don't have specific responsibilities like other officers. They bring varied perspectives to the Committee and help the MES team, usually choosing work assignments that fit their experience and interests.
Cathie Murray has been a Member-at-Large for over 5 years. She would be happy to step aside if there is another MES member out there who would like to become more involved in nourishing and sustaining this great organization. Although candidates may be nominated from the floor at the Annual Meeting in October, it would be most helpful if you would nominate yourself or another by informing a current member of the Executive Committee of your interest.
Minutes of the 2025 Meeting were published in the November 2025 issue of the newsletter, on pp. 2–4. Please be ready to bring any errors to our attention, since another early agenda item will be to accept (or amend) these minutes.
Unless turnout is unexpectedly large, we should be able to get everyone inside the "outer garage," as we have in recent years, which facilitates interaction in the outdoor fresh air with the doors wide open and is protective should there be showers. Please bring your favorite lawn chair, though we do have a dozen or so here for those who may not have one.
The grounds will be open for collecting, as usual, with some changes since last year as to habitats, and we'll try to have pathways cleared through the brush down in back for exploration. Our perennial sunflowers should be in full bloom at this time and are usually a haven for late-season Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and other nectar and pollen feeders. Barring a hard frost, the zinnias and flowering broccoli also usually attract late pollinators.
We'll have roasted chicken and vegan chili available and invite everyone to bring something else to add to the regular potluck luncheon that precedes the business meeting.
We'll be ready for guests by 10:00 a.m., so people can spread out across the fields and forest for collecting. Lunch will begin around noon, and the business meeting will start at approximately 1:30 p.m. Treasurer Pete Darling will be in attendance, so this'll also be a good opportunity to renew your membership for 2027, if you haven't already (hint!).
The meeting will be held in the same locality as it has been since 2008, please email Bob for the address.
Newcomers and old members who use GPS can use the address to find us. Please email or call me if you need directions!
Maine Entomological Society
Annual Meeting Agenda
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Welcome & Call to Order
Treasurer’s Report
Audit of Financial Records
Approval of Minutes from 2025 Annual Meeting
Election of Officers for the 2027 Term
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Two Members-at-Large
Communications Update
Website and Facebook activity
Planning for 2027
Confirmed Events
Winter Workshop, January
Work Days at Maine State Museum Annex, dates TBD
“Maple Syrup & Insects” Program, March
Bioblitz at Viles Arboretum, August 28–29
Annual Meeting, October
Community & Member Activities
Sharing of upcoming insect-related events
Other Business
Adjournment