National Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Locations
Past Meetings
Home
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).

back to top

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.

back to top

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.

back to top

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.

back to top

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.

back to top

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

back to top