How We Will Choose a New Name
Double-crested Cormorants with Common Terns at Jamaica Bay. Photo: Don Riepe
In March 2023, NYC Audubon’s board of directors voted to change the organization’s name by dropping “Audubon” and beginning the process of identifying a new name that better reflects our organizational values and our work.
We have embarked on a collaborative and robust process to select a new name that encapsulates who we are and what we do, and that is inclusive and welcoming to all New Yorkers.
We have embarked on a collaborative and robust process to select a new name that encapsulates who we are and what we do, and that is inclusive and welcoming to all New Yorkers.
OUR PROCESS
From Fall 2023-Spring 2024, we'll be soliciting input and suggestions for our new name (see below for your opportunity to participate). A Name Change Task Force will help us curate the names, making sure they are appropriate for our work and follow the considerations laid out below. We'll also hold focus groups with stakeholder groups (members, supporters, volunteers, partners, and more) to solicit input on a shortened list of names, which the Task Force will consider in their recommendations.
Our board of directors and staff will weigh in at key points to provide input and receive the Task Force's recommendations. Our board and staff will also be completing due diligence for the new name, including review by legal counsel, obtaining any rights or permissions, setting up domains, making required technical checks, and updating key documents with the State.
While we are collecting input and the Task Force is at work, we are also in close communication with the growing number of other Audubon chapters who are also changing their name, to learn from their process and identify possible names that might work for us, too.
Our board of directors and staff will weigh in at key points to provide input and receive the Task Force's recommendations. Our board and staff will also be completing due diligence for the new name, including review by legal counsel, obtaining any rights or permissions, setting up domains, making required technical checks, and updating key documents with the State.
While we are collecting input and the Task Force is at work, we are also in close communication with the growing number of other Audubon chapters who are also changing their name, to learn from their process and identify possible names that might work for us, too.
Per the terms of our bylaws, our board will vote on the final name. We hope to have this last step completed in Spring-Summer 2024.
NAME CHANGE TASK FORCE
Our Name Change Task Force is composed of organizational leaders, community partners, members, supporters, and staff. The Task Force represents a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and tenure with the organization.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
· Karen Benfield, President, NYC Audubon Board of Directors
· Angie Co, board member and chair, EDIA Committee
· Chris Cooper, Vice President board of directors
· Simon Keyes, board member and Young Conservationist Council
· Jeff Kimball, Immediate Past President and chair, Nominating Committee
· Chris Cooper, Vice President board of directors
· Simon Keyes, board member and Young Conservationist Council
· Jeff Kimball, Immediate Past President and chair, Nominating Committee
· Kyu Lee, board member and chair, Engagement Committee
· Vivek Sriram, board member and member, Finance Committee
· Mike Yuan, Executive Vice President, board of directors
NYC Audubon Staff
· Jessica Wilson, Executive Director
· Roslyn Rivas, Manager of Public Programs
· Myles Davis, Senior Manager, Green Infrastructure
· Andrew Maas, Associate Director, Communications
· Jessica Wilson, Executive Director
· Roslyn Rivas, Manager of Public Programs
· Myles Davis, Senior Manager, Green Infrastructure
· Andrew Maas, Associate Director, Communications
Advisory Council
· Marcia Fowle, Advisory Council member (as well as past Board member, and past Executive Director)
Community Partners and Volunteers
· Melissa Breyer, Project Safe Flight volunteer, bird advocate, and member, Engagement Committee
· Jamie Johnson, Project Safe Flight volunteer
· Alex Zablocki, Executive Director, Community Fund for Public Housing
CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUR NEW NAME
As we collect suggestions and input, we will bear in mind key considerations so that our new name:
- Reflects our mission of conservation research, engagement of all New Yorkers, and advocacy efforts for legislative and policy change that protects wild birds and habitat
- Expresses our focus on birds
- Is not in use by other organizations
- Acronym (if we have one) should also not be in use by other related organizations, and should be both recognizable and benign
- Signifies our geographic zone of work across the five boroughs of New York City
- Feels welcoming and inviting, and avoids terms that may convey exclusion; for example, as many Audubon entities have done recently, we will likely no longer include a word like “Society”
- Does not include honorifics or eponymous names (names that honor individual people)
SUGGEST A NEW NAME
We value the input of everyone in our flock! We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas for a new name that represents the exciting future of our grassroots organization.
CONTACT US
Have additional feedback you'd like to share about the new name or our process? Please email us at feedback@nycaudubon.org.
We look forward to together creating a new name that reflects our mission to protect the wild birds and habitat of New York City, improving the quality of life for ALL New Yorkers! Please subscribe to our eGret eNewsletter, follow us on social media @nycaudubon, and keep an eye on this page for updates on our name selection process.
