Annual Meeting Summary
Dianne McGavin
By all accounts this year's annual meeting was a resounding success. A record number of abstracts, 2881, were submitted; a record number of scientists, 4159, attended; the science was outstanding. On the following pages are summaries of committee meetings and activities that took place in New Orleans. Below are the major decisions made by Council when it met in February.
· In response to a recommendation from the Membership Committee, Council agreed to expand the lower cost membership rate currently offered only to postdocs. The rate name will be changed to Early Career Rate, thus allowing biophysicists working in industry or teaching to take advantage of the lower rate. Beginning in January 2001, the Early Career Rate will be available to all members for a period of four years after achievement of first professional degree.
· Council approved the Publications Committee recommendation to offer free color publication in Biophysical Journal as a benefit of membership.
· Council agreed to expand the Society's public policy efforts to address issues of specific concern to the Society, including increased funding for the underpinning sciences, increased funding for the DOE and NSF, concerns with the postdoctoral situation, and other policy issues as they arise. In order to build its own infrastructure and support the issues unique to biophysics, Council voted to reduce its support of the JSC advocacy/lobbying effort, realizing that there was redundancy with the efforts of FASEB, to which the Society contributes through its membership. Council also voted to bring back in-house management of its CLC database so that it can better communicate issues of interest to its membership and foster a stronger grassroots effort.
· David De Rosier was chosen to chair a Discussions meeting in 2001. The meeting will follow the format of previous Discussions and will be limited to approximately 150-200 attendees.
· Brian Salzberg and Joseph Falke were elected to the Executive Board for two-year terms, replacing Meredith Bond and Barbara Seaton, whose terms ended this year.
· Council approved the 2000 slate of candidates and elected members to the 2001 Nominating Committee: Avril Somlyo, Chair, Jeff Gelles, Fred Sigworth, and Watt Webb.
· Council established a Human Resources Committee, consisting of the chairs of the Education, CPOW, Minorities, and Membership Committees. The Committee will address issues of concern to the various sectors of the Society membership, including postdocs and graduate students. Jonathan King will chair the Committee.
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