As of August 28, 170 of our 600 members completed the name change survey sent out on July 31.
Of those voting, 40% voted “no” and 60% voted “yes” for our local chapter to remove the name “Audubon”. The percentages were the same for removing the name “Audubon” from the national organization. Diving a little deeper, of the 40% voting “no”, 44% of those have been members for over 10 years. For the 60% voting “yes”, 23% have been members for over 10 years.
Detailed comments were received by many on both sides. Those voting “no” commented they felt it unnecessary and possibly damaging for the organization. Those voting “yes” commented they felt the name “Audubon” has racist undertones and eliminating the name would promote diversity. Of course this is extremely oversimplifying the numerous and often lengthy comments.
Numerous suggestions for new names for the organization were received with no one name standing out as a preference. All name suggestions can be found below. As you can see, there is no shortage to new name ideas. We really love the creative input!
For now the Board has decided to continue to solicit input from all sources, while communicating with and monitoring other Audubon chapters regarding the issues. We fully understand the power of name recognition, and do not want to act to hastily. We will continue providing input to Audubon California regarding our members position on a name change. Our hope is that if enough local chapters voice their feelings regarding the name “Audubon”, the national organization might consider revisiting the issue. Regardless of our name our mission remains unchanged.
We truly appreciate everyone’s input. It helps us better understand where our members stand on the name change issue. Let’s continue our birding love story, one of passion and diversity.
New Name Suggestions
• Sacramento Bird Society
• Sacramento Bird Preservation Society
• Sacramento Bird Watching Society
• Sacramento Bird Conservancy
• Sacramento Bird Enthusiasts
• Sacramento Birders
• Sacramento Birders Society
• Sacramento Birders Association
• Sacramento Birding Club
• Sacramento Birding Society
• Sacramento Valley Birding Club
• Sacramento Valley Birding Group
• Sacramento Valley Birding Association
• Sacramento Regional Birding Club
• Sacramento Avian Society
• Sacramento Advocates for Birds
• Sacramento Bird Advocates
• Sacramento Ornithology Society
• Sacramento Bird and Wildlife Society
• Sacramento Society for the Birds
• Bird Sacramento
• Birds Connect Sacramento
• Birds Sacramento
• Birds Connect Us
• Birding Sacramento
• Birders for All
• Let’s Bird Sacramento
• Celebrating Diversity in our Avian World
• Avian Society of Sacramento Valley
