rrsNews

Vol. XXXIV, No. 2 August, 2001

Minutes of the Business Meeting

San Juan, Puerto Rico
24 April 2001

 

I.  Call to Order

Dr. J. Leslie Redpath, President, called the meeting to order at 12:35 pm. There were approximately 105 members in attendance.

II. Officer’s Reports

A. President’s Report

Dr. Redpath announced that one of his goals as President was to maintain the momentum of the Corporate and Institutional Membership drive that was already in motion. He said that this had largely been achieved. He also announced that due to the time and effort required for fundraising, the Society is looking into the possibility of hiring a professional Development Officer. Dr. Redpath also reviewed a few of the new initiatives of the Society under his leadership. The association with FASEB, as well as FASEB Travel Awards, the Electronic Submission of Abstracts and the initial stages of the planning for the ICHO 2007.

B. Secretary-Treasurer’s Report

1. Election Results

Dr. Mark Dewhirst announced the results of the 2001 election of officers and councilors as follows:

Vice – President Elect George Iliakis

Secretary – Treasurer Elect Kathryn Mason

Councilor (Biology)Amato Giaccia

Councilor (Chemistry) Michael Weinfeld

Dr. Dewhirst extended congratulations on behalf of the Society to the new Council members.

2. Financial Report

Dr. Dewhirst reported that the society is in a sound financial state with over one year’s operating expenses in reserve. This is due, in part, to the aggressive fundraising efforts for the Annual Meeting and careful management of expenditures. Dr. Dewhirst stated that a long term goal of the Society is increase the reserve to three year’s operating expenses. Expansion in the areas of development and the future endowment of the Failla Lecture and the Michael Fry Award are possible mechanisms to assist in reaching this goal.

3. Membership Report

Dr. Dewhirst reported the following membership activity for the period of April 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001.

New members 176

Resigned members 21

Deceased members 11

Dropped members 135

As of March 31, 2001 the Society had 1791 members.

Active members  1073

Associate members  73

Student members  251

Sponsored Student members  76

Emeritus members  268

Institutional members  34

Corporate members  16

4. Deceased Members

A moment of silence was observed for the following deceased members:

Reinier Braams

Merril Eisenbud

Mortimer Elkind

Ugo Fano

John S. Handloser

Karl Morgan

Harold Perry

Antolin Raventos, IV

Ira Spiro

G. M. Tisljar

Cornelius A. Tobias

John Totter

Luis Zeitz

C. Editor-in-Chief’s Report

Dr. Sara Rockwell reported that the major change relating to Radiation Research during the past year was obviously the transition of editorship from Dr. John Ward to herself. This change was made gradually and became complete January 1, 2001. Dr. Rockwell extended her thanks to the many people that assisted in this transition, with special recognition to Dr. Ward, Dr. Fry, Martha Edington and Judy Fye.

Dr. Rockwell reviewed the written report that was distributed to those in attendance. She highlighted the fact that the Journal has now moved into the era of electronic publication via its relationship with BioOne. Dr. Rockwell also noted that the Journal impact factor places it in the top 10% of all scientific journals and among the top 10 of the 78 journals in the area of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging. Dr. Rockwell encouraged submission of articles and invited suggestions regarding the Journal from all members of the Society. In closing, Dr. Rockwell extended her thanks to the outgoing Associate Editors and welcomed the incoming Associate Editors.

D. President-Elect’s Report

Dr. James Mitchell reported that he was very pleased with the high registration of 753 people for the meeting. He thanked the Program Committee for all of their efforts in putting together the program and encouraged feedback, both positive and negative, to be given to him and Dr. McKenna. Dr. Mitchell also noted that as most members were aware, this year electronic submission was utilized. Dr. Mitchell extended his thanks to Martha Edington and Sheryl Trotz for their extensive efforts in this area and to Allen Press as well as staff for their work in organizing the meeting.

E. Vice-President Elect’s Report

Dr. Gillies McKenna reported that plans are underway for the 2002 Annual Meeting for the Radiation Research society, which will be held at the Reno Hilton, in Reno Nevada, from April 20 – 24. Mr. McKenna encouraged everyone to attend and to urge their colleagues to do the same.

F. Awards

1. Student Travel Awards

Young investigators were congratulated for the research that earned them the respect of their supervisors and the Student Travel Award.

2. Marie Curie Travel Award

Dr. Redpath congratulated the 2001 Marie Curie Travel Award recipient, Lynda Fletcher, on her outstanding work.

3. Michael Fry Research Award

Dr. Redpath presented a check for $1,250 and a plaque to Kevin Prise as the 29th recipient of the Michael Fry Research Award and extended congratulations to Dr. Prise.

4. Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Redpath presented the 2nd Radiation Research Distinguished Service Award to Dr. James Osborne and expressed the appreciation of the entire Society for all of Dr. Osborne’s efforts over the years. Dr. Osborne thanked the Society for this honor and thanked all of his fellow History Committee members for their assistance.

5. Award presentation for Dr. John Ward

Dr. Redpath presented a plaque to Dr. Ward for his service as Editor-in-Chief of Radiation Research from 1998 to 2001. Dr. Redpath acknowledged that Dr. Ward was instrumental in leading the Journal through a very successful change in publishers and into the era of electronic publication and expressed thanks on behalf of the Society.

III. Society Business

A. Approval of 2000 minutes

An error was noted in the minutes of the 2000 Annual Business Meeting under Item V. New Business, A. Gordon Conference. It was noted that the Gordon Conference was planned by Jack Little, and not Norman Coleman as was stated in the minutes.

Motion: It was moved and seconded that the minutes of the 48th Annual Business Meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 be approved with the above revision.

Action: The motion was unanimously accepted.

B. Future Meetings

1. ICRR 2003: August 17 – 23, Brisbane Convention Center – Brisbane, Australia

Dr. Roger Martin gave a brief overview of the ICRR 2003 and encouraged all RRS members to participate.

2. RRS 2004: Spring, St. Louis, Missouri

      Dr. Redpath announced that RRS will be meeting in conjunction with the ICHO in 2004. The ICHO will meet first with a one-day overlap in programming at the beginning of the RRS meeting. The exact dates are yet to be determined.

C. Federal Agency Reports

1. NCI – Norman Coleman

Dr. Coleman reported that the NCI Radiation Oncology Sciences Program intramural program has undergone reorganization. He reported that both the intramural and extramural budgets have increased and that new programs will be initiated in the near future.

Richard Cumberlin

Dr. Cumberlin reviewed the current status of the radiation grant program and the section of medical physics.

2. NIH – Paul Strudler

Dr. Strudler reported on the status of the study section reorganization.

3. DOE – Noelle Metting

Dr. Metting reported on funding by the DOE of the low dose radiation program and encouraged all present to visit the web site www.lowdose.org. She also reported that there will be a joint DOE/NASA workshop to be held June 27 – 30, 2001.

4. NASA – Walter Schimmerling

Dr. Schimmerling reported that NASA is continuing to research the radiation environment in space and expressed his pleasure at the inclusion of NASA in the RRS/NAHS Annual Meeting program. He also reviewed the collaboration between NASA and DOE.

IV. Old Business

A. Bylaws Proposed Change

Dr. Redpath reviewed the proposed change to the RRS bylaws.

    Article II – Dues, Item 1:

    Original: Any member in arrears for two years shall cease to be a member of the Society.

    Proposed Change: Any member in arrears for two years one year shall cease to be a member of the Society.

    Dr. Redpath explained that the rationale for this change is to avoid having unpaid members be able to register for up to two meetings at the membership rate, and also to encourage the prompt payment of membership dues. The dues/membership year for the society is Jan 1 – Dec 31. The following schedule will pertain if the amendment is passed:

    November - 1st notice

    January - 2nd notice

    March - 3rd notice

    Final Notice – sent with Nov. 1st notice for subsequent year. Dues for both years must be paid to continue membership

    December 31 – drop unpaid members

    Motion: It was moved and seconded that the amendment be accepted as presented.

    Action: The motion was unanimously accepted.

V. New Business

A. Electronic Projection

Dr. Redpath announced that electronic projection would be offered for all sessions during the 2002 Annual Meeting.

VI. Change of Officers

Dr. Redpath expressed his appreciation to the Society for allowing him the privilege of serving as the RRS President over the past year. He extended his thanks to the Council members, staff and to Dr. Mitchell and the 2001 Program Committee.

Dr. Redpath presented the President’s gavel to Dr. James Mitchell.

Dr. Mitchell presented Dr. Redpath with a plaque in appreciation of his efforts as President of the society. The installation of the new officers occurred.

Dr. Mitchell thanked Dr. Redpath and the Society and announced what an honor it was for him to serve as the RRS President. Dr. Mitchell then gave a brief overview of his plans for the Society over the next year. He will be focusing on Strategic Planning and challenged all members to become involved in some way with the Society.

VII. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 2:10 pm.

 

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