The Chair is responsible for the day to day organisation of the Society's activities working in conjunction with the other executive members. The Chair arranges the Society's public meetings and meetings of the Council in conjunction with the Secretary. Jon monitors existing and proposed wildlife laws which may affect members activities, and responds to published reports from various organisations that seek to limit or control them. In this role he attends Sustainable User Network meetings with DEFRA, CITES and JNCC officials in Bristol twice a year, at the annual Parnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime seminar for Police Wildlife Officers and Customs & Excise CITES control officers at Kew Gardens, at a variety of Government consultation meetings concerning new proposed UK and European legislation, and at the biannual CITES meetings in various locations around the World, most recently Santiago in Chile in November 2002, and next in Bangkok in 2004 (all funded by either the International Herpetological Society, the Pet Care Trust or T-Rex Products Inc.).Jon also attends the Reptile and Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group meetings of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in the USA, and their UK equivalents at London Zoo -chair@thebhs.org

The Treasurer's duties will be to maintain books of accounts, control the receipt and payment of cash, liase with the Society's bank, ensure annual accounts are prepared, maintain an up-to-date list of fully paid up members, prepare lists of subscriptions due and send reminders to Members, budget for future expenditure, present up-to-date financial returns at Council meetings or, after notice, when required confirm the Annual Accounts Statements with two Auditors who are Members of the Society but not Members of Council.

Chris is the Research & Monitoring Officer for The Herpetological Conservation Trust, where he runs The HCT's rare species database and leads on monitoring, mapping and research. As BHS Research Committee Chair, Chris is keen to see the revival of the BHS database and the Society's field recording activities. Liaison with the Conservation Committee Chair (Dave Bird) will be an integral part of Chris' position, especially to promote recording of species, tasks and research on BHS sites. Another aspect where the Research Committee could be useful is the promotion of research projects on the UK herpetofauna, perhaps via small grants to students. Finally, recording is still one of the most important and rewarding activities that BHS members can do to help conserve the UK herpetofauna. The Research Committee Chair therefore encourages you all to record the reptiles and amphibians you see and submit the records -research@thebhs.org

The Scientific Editor is responsible for the receipt and review of all manuscripts submitted to the HJ for publication. This involves liaison with authors, referees, associate editors and members of the editorial board. The Scientific Editor makes the final decisions concerning the suitability of papers for publication based on the reviews received, and forwards accepted manuscripts to the Managing Editor for processing -herpjournal@thebhs.org

The role of the Bulletin Editor is to oversee the production and publication of The Herpetological Bulletin from the receipt of manuscripts to the production of final copy. This involves checking and editing of articles to ensure that they conform to the Bulletin's house style, coordination of the layout of articles using DTP, production of author's page proofs, and liaison with authors, reviewers, and the commercial print bureau. Other specific responsibilities of the Editor include the distribution of offprints and complimentary copies of the Bulletin to authors, and return of photographs/original artwork. The Herpetological Bulletin is produced quarterly and publishes, in English, a range of features concerned with herpetology. These include full-length papers of mostly a semi-technical nature, book reviews, letters from readers, and other items of general herpetological interest. Where possible, illustrations are reproduced in colour -herpbulletin@thebhs.org

Mikaella is well-versed in the world of media and publishing. Previously based in Thailand, she worked for four years in the media department of an international NGO focusing on Asian population and development issues. She returned to the UK in 2004 and is continuing her work in media as a freelance publication designer and editor. Mikaella has always had a strong interest in herpetology and a passion for all things herpetological - particularly snakes. She decided to merge her love of amphibians and reptiles with her professional skills and contacted the BHS, offering her services as an editor and publication designer. Although she is a relatively new member of the BHS, Mikaella has since taken on editorship of the society's monthly newsletter 'The NatterJack' and was co-opted onto Council in July (2005). She hopes that members receive as much pleasure from reading 'The NatterJack' as she does creating it! (Web editor's notes: we welcome Mikaella onto the BHS Council Team and have already been delighted with improvements to the Natterjack! The Natterjack also has a new Reporter, Emma Daw, whom we also welcome! Please contact both through the address below at present) -natterjack@thebhs.org

Responsible for website design, contents, updates, maintenance and hosting. - webmaster@thebhs.org

The role of the Development Officer is to assist with all matters relating to the Society's continuing development as a modern membership organisation. In particular, and as necessary, with issues concerning the website, policy and development, as well as modernising the BHS's publications strategy -development@thebhs.org

Richard acts as the point of contact for the society in the North West of England. Particular responsibilities include liaison with official bodies in relation to the conservation of herptile species in the North West of England and North Wales. He currently chairs the Great Crested Newt Species Action Plan Steering Group for Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The North West currently has the greatest concentrations of great crested newt breeding colonies in the UK, and has important natterjack toad and sand lizard populations. These are the focus of ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts by the society and it's members -northwest@thebhs.org

Your BHS contact for matters realting to GCNs -gcn@thebhs.orgSee also the English Nature Guidelines on GCN Mitigation as a PDF document here