Three Partner Societies have been involved with the RCN since the planning stages. These societies are the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), the Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSCA), and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC). Each of these societies have committed to specific roles as identified below. They play critical roles in bringing the community together and without their effort and support, the RCN would not be possible. Our Participating Groups (mostly taxon-based professional societies) also play an important role in bringing together people involved with natural history collections across many disciplines. Involvement of professional societies is key to our success, and we appreciate the willingness of all the societies listed to help us make our community stronger.

American Institute of Biological Sciences
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is an umbrella group for professional societies and for individuals that is dedicated to advancing biological research and education for the welfare of society. Their role in the RCN is to help organize the Stakeholders workshop, where their formal ties to other societies, as well as their role in policy and connections with governmental and non-governmental agencies will prove especially valuable.

Natural Science Collection Alliance
The Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSCA) is an association that supports natural science collections, their human resources, the institutions that house them, and their research activities for the benefit of science and society. The role of the NSCA in the RCN is to co-organize the Databases Workshop, hosting a symposium at an annual meeting, and by helping design and implement some of the online resources that the RCN will develop.

Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) is an international organization whose mission is improving preservation, conservation, and management of natural history collections to insure their continuing value to society. The role of SPNHC in the RCN is to host a symposium at an annual meeting dealing with best practices, to establish a Best Practices Working Group, and to oversee the best practices student interns.

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