Process for Changing the Chapter Name

We are excited to announce that the Lahontan Audubon Society will be changing our name to better reflect our mission! Our board of trustees has voted to remove “Audubon” from our name, and we will begin the process of choosing a new name that invites people to join us in our mission: 

“To preserve and improve the remaining habitat of birds and other wildlife, restore historical habitat, and educate people, especially children, about birds in our unique Nevada environments.”

Our new name will include the term “bird” and ideally feature something about the unique ecology of our region. 

Our decision to change our name was made carefully and comes at a time when we are growing rapidly as an organization. We are actively investing in educational programming and community partnerships that focus on including underrepresented groups of people. Our goal is to create a welcoming birding community where people of all backgrounds can feel a sense of belonging. We believe that by changing our name, we will be able to reach new members of our community and increase our impact for the conservation of native Nevada birds. We do not expect our name change will have any negative impacts on our ability to continue our 60+ years of work in the northern Nevada region. We will continue to be a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society, as will the over 50 independent Audubon chapters who have already decided to change their names.

The process for changing the name is outlined below.

Formal Collaborative Name Change Process

Step 1. Board votes to change the name.

• Board is provided with background information
• The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) committee presents a supported recommendation to the Board after researching how other chapters changed their names
• Majority vote required

Step 2. Announce name change.

• Formal announcement is sent out to all members and receivers of general email announcing we are beginning the name change process
• Announcement will include our formal process and the reasoning behind the decision
• EDIB committee writes an article to publish in our twice-monthly newsletter and on our website 
• We will accept member suggestions for names
• Timeline: January 5, 2025 (first email); reminder January 12

Step 3. Brainstorm new names.

• Board members and membership may propose new names
• If you have a suggestion for a new name, please fill out this Google form. Suggestions for new names will be accepted until February 2, 2025.
• All suggestions for names will be due by the February Board Meeting
• Timeline: Due by February 2, 2025 at MIDNIGHT

Step 4. Board votes to narrow names to 2-3 choices.

• Each board member will be given 3 votes they can distribute across the name options (can put multiple votes towards 1 name)
• Narrow down to top 2 or 3 choices
• Timeline: February 4, 2025 (Board meeting)

Step 5. Poll membership.

• Google form will be sent out to members in the member email to allow participation in the name selection process
• Final 2-3 choices 
• Members will be required to sign in using their email and will not be able to submit multiple forms
• Members will be given 1 vote
• Timeline: End of survey by March 1, 2025 at MIDNIGHT

Step 6. Board makes final vote on name.

• If ⅔ or more of the members that voted picked one name, that will be our new name
• If no name received ⅔ of the vote or more, the board will make the tie-breaking vote 
• Each board member will be given 1 vote
• Timeline: March 4, 2025 (Board meeting)

Step 7. Unveiling the new name.

• Work with website designer to change the name on the website and work on changing the domain name, emails, etc.
• Submit documents to National Audubon for official name change
• Submit tax documents
• Change the bylaws
• Change the logo and update templates, etc.
• We recognize that this will be a long process, and we will re-evaluate progress at each Board meeting following the official name change
• Timeline: Ongoing (to be updated)