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Summer 2001 National Grand Chapter
Meeting Minutes
In this document:
Call to order
President Dee McManus called the meeting to order Roll
call and quorum count The President asked the Secretary to call the roll.
Roll call taken by Cathy Asleson Dundon and quorum determined by Parlimentarian
Mary Hurlocker.
Voting members present or by proxy:
Dee McManus (Xi), Robin Woo (Omicron), Kathy Grako (Tau), Cathy Asleson
Dundon (Xi), Doris Brown (Tau), Virginia Carson (Sigma), Ann-Marie Weber
Main (Xi) by proxy, Helen Haller (Alpha), Mary Anderson (Omicron), Leah
Hanson (Xi), Carrie MacNabb (Xi), Penny Perkins (Tau), and Mary Hurlocker
(Xi), Nell Mondy (Alpha), Susan Elston (Gamma Alpha) by proxy, Cheryl
Hertz (Lambda), Sara Becker-Catina (Lambda), Laurel Lynn Martin (Nu),
Paddy Wiesenfeld (Omicron), Helen Skeggs (Rho) by proxy, Denise Foley
(Sigma).
Non-voting members present:
Patricia Shaffer (Tau), Marie Berg (Xi), Patty Costello (Xi), Sherani
Amarasinghe (Xi), Amy Beth Cohen (Sigma) and Erin Dugan (Nu) Approval
of Meeting Agenda Motion to approve the agenda (pp. 4-5) was by made by
Leah Hanson and seconded by Robin Woo. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes
Dee McManus requested that minutes be sent out earlier
so people can see action items. Kathy Grako moved to approved the minutes
from last year's National Council meeting (pp. 73-78). Motion was seconded
by Leah Hanson. Motion approved unanimously.
Report of Officers
President:
Dee McManus presented a summary of her written report (pp. 11-18). Her
presidential focus for the year was "Chapter-Centric". The National organization
worked to improve the interface between National and the Chapters by reactivating
chapter liaisons and working on our new image. This makeover can be seen
in the new stationery designed by Penny Perkins, and our new 4-fold and
3-fold brochures. We launched the new website in October. Our Chapter
Establishment Committee, Kathy Grako and Robin Woo worked hard to reassign
Omega members to active chapters. Finally, National provided travel grants
to the chapters. She was pleased to announce that seven people at the
meeting were attending because of this travel grant program. She also
announced that GWIS will have a new Bulletin editor next year, Russanne
Lowe (Xi). She summarized her work writing the "Women in Transition" grant
in collaboration with Tau Chapter. In the packet she also included the
work schedule (p. 14) for the upcoming year. The National Council expressed
their appreciation with a round of applause. President-Elect:
Robin Woo (Omicron): Robin summarized the details from her written report
(p.19). She expressed her enjoyment working with Kathy Grako on the "Omega
Project" that moved Omega members into chapters allowing them to receive
more for their membership and feel more connected. They also assembled
unassigned members into putative chapters. Harriet Natsuyama (Sigma) has
moved to Hawaii and is interested in reactivating Alpha Lambda. Billie
Mackie (Omega) is retiring to the Research Triangle Park area of North
Carolina and expressed interest in starting chapter. Robin is interested
in working with women in South America to start a Latin American chapter.
She has identified a woman wanting to work on this start-up and there
are already potentially a group of 50 women. Finally, she summarized her
pet project to find the money to market our organization to potential
members and develop programs. She will propose during the National Council's
new business that we establish a $2000 reserve fund in the operating budget
so that chapters can apply for up to $500 (50% payback over 3 years for
use in chapter activation or reactivation. She is looking forward to continuing
the work on improving communication between the Chapters and National
Vice-President:
Kathy Grako summarized her written report. Kathy Grako's work this year
has been predominantly with the Chapter Establishment Committee. To try
to identify women in the San Francisco area, she has sent 12 emails and
5 letters to people but she received only one reply from Joy Barnitz (Omega)
and that was fairly negative reply. Joy's comment was that she felt that
women in the Bay Area would be better served in joining AWIS. Robin suggested
that our strategy should be identifying areas that AWIS was not covering
or try collaborative approaches. Kathy remarked that Mary Yund said she
would be interested in working on the establishment of a Bay Area Chapter.
Kathy also pointed out that AWIS is not serving the colleges in the area
and that this may be a good place for entry. She will be talking to Dominican
University in San Raphel. Dee asked what National can provide to facilitate
this new chapter. Kathy thought it would take additional people working
for this cause.
Secretary:
Cathy Asleson Dundon (Xi) summarized her written report (pp. 20-28). Cathy
described briefly her plan to honor GWIS anniversaries in the Bulletin.
The general consensus was to recognize a woman's 10th year anniversary
and then every 5 years after that. Her long-term plan is to convert the
new database to a web-hosted database that chapters can access. In the
short-term, the Membership Committee plans on expanding the One-Pay System
to Tau and Omicron. She will also set-up the ability for members to pay
their dues using VISA for this upcoming year.
Treasurer:
Doris Brown (Tau) provided a summary of her written report (pp.29-33).
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Review of Operating Budget summary
Doris pointed out that life membership fund is the
interest on the fund not the actual income into the fund. Next year she
will represent total income from life memberships in report. Dee McManus
asked if life memberships go into dues. Doris explained that they are
kept in a separate fund that can be seen in her last report summarizing
balances. We ended the year with an operating surplus.
Review of Proposed Budget
Virginia Carson asked about an interim meeting monies.
Robin Woo thought it may be timely to have an interim meeting at the Boston
AAAS. There is a former chapter in Boston, Alpha Omega that we need to
reactivate. We need a booth at the AAAS to market to the Boston area.
Doris said that there is money available in discretionary fund. Virginia
also pointed out to the group that if future national meetings are at
places where the college doesn't waive the insurance, the national meeting
may have to have ~$1000 in the budget for the meeting. Dee McManus explained
that the National organization budgets $1000 for the chapters to borrow
and the chapter pays this loan back from the meeting fees. Kathy Grako
thought that National should be more supportive to the chapters hosting
the National Meeting. Denise Foley (Sigma) stressed that without their
co-sponsors they could not have afforded to host this meeting. National
needs to be more financially supportive. Kathy Grako thought that it does
not seem fair to put the burden of fundraising on chapter. Dee McManus
replied that the chapters were getting the benefit of the meeting as a
recruitment tool for the chapter. Paddy Wiesenfeld from Omicron and the
host of next year's National meeting stated that they have been marketing
to our chapter about their hosting of the meeting. Denise Foley stressed
that we need to have some national support. Robin Woo suggested that the
$1000 line item no longer be a turn-around expense in the budget. Pat
Schaffer pointed out that offering the $1000 may attract small chapters
to host future meetings. Robin asked which chapters have hosted previous
meetings. Dee McManus thought that in the future we would need a lot more
input from national. Pat Schaffer reminded us that the Gamma Alpha Chapter
sponsored meeting one year despite being brand new chapter. Dee McManus
pointed out that next year the meeting will be hosted by Omicron Chapter
and that Nu Chapter has expressed interest for the following year Laurel
Lynn Martin (Nu) moved to approve the Operating Budget. The motion was
seconded by Carrie MacNabb. Motion was approved unanimously.
Fellowship Budget:
Doris Brown reviewed the proposed fellowship budget. Helen Haller explained
the origin of the Hartley Fund. Kathy Grako moved to approve the Fellowship
Budget and the motion was seconded by Helen Haller. Motion approved.
Special Projects Budget:
Doris Brown reviewed the special projects budget and explained that these
monies are for the president and the group to decide how to best use.
Ruth Dickey was an active Beta chapter member. Dee McManus asked if there
were funds for travel in this line item? Robin Woo replied that she would
rather leave it for the discretion of the president. She anticipates four
possible uses: travel to National Meeting, AAAS session, directory and
potentially additional fellowship winners. Mary Anderson moved to approve
the Special Projects Budget and it was seconded by Leah Hanson. Motion
approved.
Current Status of Accounts Review:
Doris concluded her presentation with a review of the current status of
our accounts.
Past President:
Virginia Carson summarized her written report (p.34). She detailed her
work with the Nomination Committee and presented this year's slate of
officers. She also prepared a proposal for a symposium at the AAAS meeting
in Boston which was approved. The topic will be the use of nuclear power.
Dee asked what National could do to provide support. Virginia thought
she may need money but she is trying to obtain sponsorships from other
sections. It will be a three-hour session.
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Resolutions
Dee McManus requested permission to move the resolutions
forward in the agenda. Virginia proposed the motion and it was seconded
by Robin Woo. Motion approved. Resolution 1: Extend thanks to Sigma Chapter
and Denise Foley and Virginia Carson for hosting and planning this years
meeting. This resolution was followed by lots of applause. Resolution
2: Acknowledge members who have given decades of service to our organization:
Nell Mondy, Bette Barnes, and Marie Berg with the National Service Award---Applause.
Report of the Board of Directors
Mary Anderson summarized the written report from the
Board of Director's chairwoman, Gerry Anderson (pp. 41-42). The outline
include in this report was not finalized until late in the year. The Board
had lots of discussion but regretfully little time to accomplish the goals
described. Hopefully, this outline will be the groundwork for the future.
Mary thought communication between the directors was difficult. Ann Brown
has not been involved and she is the upcoming chair of the board. Virginia
questioned whether Ann thinks this year was her last year on the Board.
Based on discussions during last year's National meeting, Mary does not
think that Ann is unclear on her upcoming chairmanship. Dee would really
like to see the Board of Directors be our compass and a resource. Robin
volunteered to contact Ann Brown if she would elect to retire. If she
chooses too retire, we will have a 4 member BOD and Robin will ask Joy
to chair. Virginia thought if this occurs that in next election, we would
have a one-time election of 2 BOD members.
Report of the Editor
Dee McManus summarized the written report by Anne-Marie
Weber Main (pp. 34-37). Dee was very pleased with Anne-Marie's work over
the past three years and National will be recognizing her efforts in Minneapolis.
Anne-Marie asked if GWIS would consider paying her retrospectively $500/year
of service or giving her the PC GWIS purchase. Historically we have paid
for an assistant but Anne-Marie did not have this expense so this is very
reasonable request. Anne-Marie's report also stressed that we need to
have the chapter and committee information for the Fall Bulletin. She
also indicated that the liaison program brought in additional information
for the bulletin She made the following suggestions for next year. There
was much confusion about role of nominations committee. This committee
needs to write the abstracts, etc. regarding the candidates and submit
all of this information in one file. Second, we may need to add a managing
editor to solicit adds etc. This work would be above and beyond the editorial
board. Robin thought this job would it fit better with a development committee.
The committee could start slowly with this first task of looking for ads.
Third, we should have the president-elect fill her committees during the
previous year, this way they will be assembled in time for the Fall Bulletin
and ready to start working when the President assumes office. Mary Hurlocker
thought this may require a bylaw change. Dee disagreed since you wouldn't
appoint them but line them up. Finally she welcomed the new editor, Russanne
Lowe. Dee restated the organizations appreciation for her hard work, suggestions
and that the National Council approved her budget as approved.
Report of the Archivist
Helen Haller provided a brief summary of her written
report (pp.38-41) and asked that members continue to submit items for
archive.
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Report of the Committees
Fellowships:
Dee McManus summarized the written reports of the Fellowships Director,
Regina Vidaver, and the Chairs of each of the fellowships committees (pp.
43-48). Dee stressed what an excellent job Regina Vidaver has done. Helen
Haller moved that we approve all fellowship awards except the Eli Lilly
awards and authorize Doris Brown to pay the fellowships. This motion was
seconded by Laurel Lynn Martin. Motion approved. Dee McManus said that
we usually contact Eli Lilly to inform them that we have winners and ask
them to pay. Robin Woo and Dee McManus will contact Eli Lilly to track
down this money and get money for these individuals for next year which
is around $2400. Robin Woo thought we should ask for an even amount for
the three fellowships ($500 for each) and ask for $2000 so we can retroactively
pay the forth. Helen Haller suggested that the executive committee act
on their own discretion. Dee McManus said that if we obtain the monies
the executive committee will act on the provided information.
Honorary Membership:
Mary Anderson summarized the committee's written report (pp.48-52). She
said that the committee received seven nominations, all of which were
outstanding. The committee is recommending four women with the remaining
three being submitted as candidates next year. The National Council approved
the nominations earlier in the data. Cathy Dundon moved to approved Ruth
Kirschstein, Renee Diehl, Eva Pell, and Isabella Abbott for Honorary Membership.
This motion was seconded by Helen Haller. Motion was approved. Helen Haller
moved to approve the Honorary Membership of Lydia Villa-Komaroff and this
motion was seconded by Kathy Grako. Motion was approved. The committee
was like to give each award winner a certificate, and include an article
in the bulletin. Kathy Grako ask if the Honorary Members were near chapters?
Laurel Lynn Martin stated that 2 are near Nu. Dee McManus suggested to
Nu Chapter that they ask them to speak at their upcoming national meeting.
Robin Woo asked what needs to be done to acknowledge our winners. Mary
Anderson said that she will send a letter and provide their addresses
to Cathy Asleson Dundon. Cathy Dundon suggested that local dues as well
as national dues be waived. Mary Anderson will cc the letters to the appropriate
chapter presidents.
Nominations:
Virginia Carson summarized the results of the voting presented in her
written report (p. 53). Helen Haller asked why there are non-GWIS members
on the nominating report. Laurel Lynn Martin explained that these are
the persons helping Judy Wakunga count ballots at Penn State. Dee McManus
thought we need to make a push to have more individual vote. Mary Anderson
moved to approve the ballot which was seconded by Robin Woo. Motion approved.
Omega:
There was no report presented.
Parliamentary:
Mary Hurlocker reviewed her written report (p. 54). Bylaw changes were
passed at the last Grand Chapter meeting were in their complete form and
to note that the ones in last year's minutes are incomplete. She is hoping
to get the bylaws published on the website.
Public Relations:
Penny Perkins summarized the work of the Public Relations Committee. The
committee hopes to advertise Stationery, posters with tear-off slips,
post-it note holders in the Bulletin. The committee needs to identify
a new printer for these items. Robin Woo suggested that these items would
be useful for new chapters.
Membership:
Leah Hanson summarized the committees focus fo the One-pay pilot program
with Xi Chapter. Prior to the pilot program, many Xi members found the
dual membership confusing and half of Xi members were not national members.
After one year of the pilot program, Xi chapter has 100% national membership.
She summarized the current one-pay system and the future gals of a web-based
database. The committee will be contacting non-renewing members to see
if this change impacted their decision not to rejoin.
Listserve:
Kathy Grako said that they were still looking for a listserve coordinator.
Dee McManus thought we needed someone to provide content but Sheri was
still able to manage the computer aspect. Laurel Lynn Martin asked if
is it fully monitored or partially. Dee thought it was at the server level.
Sheri Cole adds people on and puts out ideas.
Webmaster:
Dee McManus presented Helen Siever's written report (p.60-62). The website
was launched on October 6, 2000. There was a problem with being unable
to turn off the old website but this has been fixed. In addition, Helen
has been happy with our Internet service provider, Aplus.com. We are currently
only using 50% of our available space Cathy Dundon will talk to Helen
about having an email account on the website. In the future she would
like to get the chapters online, work with Pay-Pal to get dues and registration
online. There are additional cosmetic changes to be done. She would like
to form a web committee especially with chapter members. These women would
be not be the Chapter liaisons. Laurel Lynn Martin has agreed to be on
the committee and to identify another Nu member to serve on this new committee.
Penny Perkins suggested Doris Brown, herself and Suong Crawford. Leah
Hanson will ask Kim Wilcox. Cheryl Hertz will as Nanette Rook their chapter
website manager. Paddy Wiesenfeld said that they were looking for a place
to host their website. Dee thought Sigma already had a website.
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Chapter Reports
Alpha:
Nell Mondy described Alpha Chapter difficulties of retaining new members.
They will be trying luncheon meeting next year. They also hope to host
a picnic in the summer. Dee McManus hopes that national can provide more
support.Alpha Chapter wanted to try to switch from lectures to tours in
the upcoming year.
Beta:
See provided report
Gamma Alpha:
See provided report
Lambda:
Cheryl Hertz summarized Lambda's activities. There are currently 19 members
and they are still in startup mode. They have brought in four different
speakers. Dee McManus suggests that they network with the other chapters
for ideas as well and capitalize on the experience of our long-time members.
Nu:
Laurel Lynn Martin summarized Nu's activies. They are updating the transition
manual. The WISE institute is storing archive material. Nu is hosting
monthly meetings and discussions and are working with other women's groups.
The Fall and Spring workshops included topics such as stress management,
building cv's, job hunting. The Spring farm tour in the spring had to
be cancelled due to foot and mouth. For fundraiser, they designed a coffee
mug (Penn State, GWIS, top-ten ways you can tell you are a graduate student).
Dee McManus asked if they could send these as a side bar in the bulletin.
They have a web resource page for mentor programs in and around Penn State
community. The VOICES conference was our largest undertaking--see report
for details--gained a lot of local members through this project. This
included an interactive theatre presentation--skits of real life situations
that focusing on communication issues between international and American
students, men & women, advisor & student. Helen Haller asked how many
members? 6-8 members along with WISE's help, In addition, Nu has 70 listserve
members Kathy Grako asked why aren't they joining Laurel said that they
come to the events, and the chapter is getting stronger Dee McManus thought
this is an incredible source of potential members since Nu is grad student
run. Laurel pointed out that other organizations track their members and
prepare a form letter for graduate. Dee agreed that we have a disconnect
during this transition Laurel thought since most of our membership are
graduate students we need to explain why you need to explain why to continue
after graduate students Robin thinks National needs to set up a better
way to track members when moving.
Xi:
Leah Hanson summarized the activities of Xi chapter. Xi has around 130
paying members and has been hosting monthly dinner meetings at different
restaurants with an average attendance of 50 people. Dinner speaker topics
have included: genome project, finance plan, stem cells, art and science
of art restoration, neuroscience Leah Hanson introduced Patty Costello
who is travel award chair and Sherani Amarasinghe who is responsible of
programs. Xi has added a column for national liason to chapter newsletter.
Xi gave away 2 travel awards. The speakers bureau--brochure provided--was
not used much in the past so trying to think of ways to advertise. Carrie
MacNabb thinks the speaker's bureau needs more networking to find interested
parties and the chapter is looking for more outreach opportunities. Robin
asked if we get requests for speakers at national? Cathy Dundon said they
we have not received any requests. Robin Woo asked how can we improve
outreach to the media--we do not write or speak enough to the public Leah
concluded with the election of Xi Chapter officers at the May business
meeting and the Xi goal of a website with monthly meetings
Omicron:
Paddy Wiesenfeld summarized the activities of Omicron chapter. The officers
met in summer to plan the program to the upcoming year. Omicron hosted
10 different formal programs with multidisciplinary type of topics: micro/biotech,
naval observatory, US Olympics, forensic science, 3 speakers on alternative
approaches to women's health (one of thelargest meetings) and mentoring.
Omicron committed as a chapter to working science fairs (4 different science
fairs) awarded prizes and invited to picnic to present posters. The June
meeting will have induction of officers. They established the Susan Feinman
fund in honor her memory which provides grants for science writers.
Sigma:
Denise Foley summarized the activities of Sigma Chapter. Several activities
that were a big success: weekend on Catalina Island which included undergraduate
students, a bioluminescence tour on Dana Point Marine Institute, a rap
session for people to talk in February. The March Conference included
undergraduates, master students , PhD candidates. There were 17 presenters
who gave 10 minute talks and displayed posters. The chapter picked winners
and gave cash prize. These winners were invited to the GWIS national meeting.
Tau:
Penny Perkins summarized the activities of Tau Chapter. Tau is a multidisciplinary
chapter. Each meeting had a unique theme--oceanography, winery, biotech
tours. They had a variety of guest but the meetings didn't translate into
new members. The sent welcome letters and chapter brochures to guests
but still had low recruitment rate. Tau sponsored an Outstanding Teacher
of the Year Award. The award was presented at a luncheon and the award
included a $500 cash prize and membership.
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Old Business:
One-pay, chapter liaison, travel grants, have been
previously discussed. Virginia Carson moved to approve the actions of
the officers and this motion was seconded by Leah Hanson. Motion approved.
Helen Haller motioned to approve the treasurers activities for the upcoming
year which was seconded by Carrie MacNabb. Motion approved.
Chapter Establishment approved in the budget already
Installation of the new officers
President: Robin Woo
President-elect: Kathy Grako
Vice-President: Carole Hodes
BOD member: Virginia Carson
Adjourment
Laurel Lynn Martin moved to adjourn the Grand Chapter
Meeting which was seconded by Robin Woo. Motion approved. Robin Woo wanted
to close the Grand Chapter Meeting with her first official duty to recognize
her outstanding work this past year. Applause. Meeting Adjourned at 4:46
pm
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