We are delighted to announce that Steve Votier was confirmed in post on 1st July 2011 as a full-time member of BBRC. There were no further nominations following the announcement in support of Steve (Brit. Birds 104: 311). He had been co-opted to fill the vacancy provided by Lance Degnan, who retired in April 2010. Steve is currently resident in Plymouth, where he lectures in Marine Biology at the University and his pedigree as a rarity finder will be well known to British birders. He is a current member of the BOURC and its Taxonomic Sub-committee, the Editorial Board of British Birds and has authored numerous identification articles.
The recent turnover in BBRC membership, owing to unforeseen circumstances for individual members, has led us to review our current process for rotating membership. Members have expressed a concern about ‘early’ retirements and the potential impacts on the collective knowledge of the Committee. Consequently, a decision has been taken to postpone the annual retirement policy and offer all Committee members a minimum term of eight years and a maximum of ten. Our constitution has been adjusted to reflect this change. Consequently, the next retirement and new position is not expected to arise until April 2014, when James Lidster will reach the end of his term.
