[CPN] ratification of the PhyloCode

[Cantino, Philip]

Dear CPN members,

Kevin and I are approaching completion of the PhyloCode and are hoping to submit the manuscript to CRC Press before the end of 2018.  According to Article 22.3 of the code, "the CPN has the responsibility and power to ratify the first edition of the code prior to its implementation.”  Through the many drafts and versions of the code, all parts of it have been approved at least once by the CPN, but the code as a whole should be ratified by the CPN before the manuscript is sent to CRC.  

At this point, the main body of the code (including preamble, principles, rules, recommendations, notes, appendices, and glossary) is finished and could be submitted to the CPN for ratification.  The only parts that are not done are the preface and index, neither one of which affects how the code functions.  In order to expedite submission of the manuscript, Kevin and I suggest that the CPN review the completed body of the code while we continue to work on the preface (the index will be prepared by CRC Press, after which we will check it).  My question to you is this: Are you willing to vote on ratification of the code without seeing the preface, or do you want to wait until we have the entire manuscript (including the preface but not the index) assembled before reviewing and voting on it?  

Phil