You are in: Home » Communication & Education » Notes from the President
Notes from the SCAR President, number 28 (8 September 2010)
SCAR's Finances - Part 1
Colleagues,
I wanted to thank everyone for a productive biennial Delegates meeting and another successful Open Science Conference. We owe a special debt of gratitude to our Argentinian hosts, especially Sergio Marenssi and Mariano Memolli, but also their many staff members that supported us for several months. I just looked at my 2010 Meetings email box and had over 1500 emails, so you can imagine how much effort went into planning and hosting these meetings! I am sure everyone had a wonderful and educational time in Buenos Aires and I encourage you to express your gratitude to our hosts.
In the next few "Notes from the President" I will address several issues related to SCAR's financial health not only now but in the future. As this was an important topic of discussion in Buenos Aires, it is critical that we continue the dialogue and discussion about how we navigate what are difficult financial times for all of us. A similar letter on each topic will be sent to SCAR national Committees under my signature.
Also please note that the Strategic Plan remains open for comment and I ask that those inputs be provided by October 1, 2010 to allow us to move to final document.
Chuck K.
SCAR's Financial Strength can be Improved by the Action of Individual Members
As you are aware, there was a robust discussion of SCAR's current and future financial situation at the 2010 Delegates Meeting. SCAR Delegates adopted the following statement which does not approve the recommended increase in SCAR membership fees but recognizes that increased fees are inevitable if SCAR is to maintain its core activities at the wished for level:
"Delegates agree the need for an increase in contributions of up to 20% in 2012 based on a business case that SCAR will provide for Delegates to take to their Funding Agencies."
The SCAR Secretariat and ExCom agreed to develop the case for an increase in fees and that statement will be developed in the coming weeks. During this debate a majority of countries were convinced of the need and indicated their funding authorities might entertain a request for an increase in membership fees. A few countries were unable to commit to such an action due to the difficult times that all Antarctic programs are facing. As SCAR makes decisions by unanimous approval, the adoption of an increase in fees will be delayed until all members agree to the action. I infer this to mean that if alternative actions were available, a number of countries could act now to ensure the financial strength of SCAR based on the value provided. If deemed feasible, I encourage individual members to act to: 1) increase their membership fee level and 2) make special contributions. I will address special contributions in a separate email.
The level of membership fees paid is self-selected and this level can be adjusted at any time by a member. The current level of membership fees for SCAR national members is as follows:
| Category | Contribution | No.Members | Total: | In 2010: |
| A | $23,500 | 2 | $ 47,000 | Russia, USA |
| B | $18,000 | 9 | $162,000 | Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK |
| C | $14,500 | 7 | $101,500 | Brazil, China, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa |
| D | $10,500 | 13 | $136,500 |
Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Finland, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Uruguay |
| E | $ 5,000 | 4 | $ 20,000 | Denmark, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, (Monaco in 2011) |
| Total: | 35 | $467,000 |
In many cases the level of membership fee was selected many years ago. In the intervening years Antarctic programs have changed in size, budget, scope, facilities, and level of participation in SCAR. These changes have not always been reflected in a revision in SCAR membership level. While the fee level at which a country participates in SCAR is a national choice, the original intent was to allow nations to participate in SCAR at a level commensurate with their national activities and capabilities. The level of a national program in comparison with other Antarctic programs should be reflected in the level of SCAR membership. Given the expansions in national programs as a result of the International Polar Year 2007-2008, a reassessment is timely. The level of membership in SCAR indicates to the international community a country's commitment to Antarctic science and scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System.
I ask each country to assess its current level of membership and determine if it is in concert with the importance and scope of Antarctic science in your country. While we will continue to develop support for an overall increase in fees, individual countries can assist in improving SCAR's current and future financial health, allow for restoration of budget reductions already enacted, and ensure SCAR's most important activities continue to be funded by selecting a higher level of membership.
I want to assure SCAR members that I fully appreciate the budgetary pressure on national programs and that difficult decisions are being made by many. The value that SCAR delivers is multiplied by combining the modest amounts of funds contributed by each member to realize common objectives that no single program could afford alone. The actions of individual member nations in regard to their level of membership in SCAR can materially affect SCAR's financial health now and in the future.
Chuck Kennicutt
President of SCAR
About Acrobat/PDF files