2007-2008 Committees

1. Short Courses

Goal: To brainstorm, develop, organize, and coordinate short courses for the benefit of the Laurentian membership taking into account membership interests and demand.  A variety of topics should be presented.  At least one course per year should be hosted by Laurentian.  Membership participation should be given priority, others may participate if space allows.  Applications for support from SETAC NA for course development and presentation is the responsibility of the committee.  The Board member Link is usually the current Vice President.

Members: Cecilia Tolley (Temporary Chair), John Thelen (Board Member Link), Ève Dussault, Jonathan Hill, Rebecca Dalton

2. Dinner Meetings

Goal: To provide opportunities for science exchange in a casual venue.  Generally hosted by Laurentian at a local eatery/pub every 6-8 weeks between September and June.  The committee is responsible for searching out and approach speakers that would be of interest to the Laurentian membership, as well as organizing and coordinating the advertising, venue, and equipment required.  Members and non-members are encouraged to attend. The Board member Link is usually someone residing within the local of the meetings.

Ottawa Members: Leana Van der Vliet (Chair), John Thelen (Board Member Link)

Southern Ontario Members: Michelle Phillips (Co-Chair), Cindy Smith (Co-chair and Board Member Link), Lara Alves, Ève Dussault, Erin Leonard, Natalie Feisthauer, Devon Stanbury, Cecilia Tolley

3. Membership

Goal:  The committee maintains current membership, seeks out avenues to attract potential membership, maintains ties with SETAC NA on local membership issues, and coordinates the interests of the Laurentian membership with the activities of the various Laurentian committees.  The Board member Link is usually the current membership coordinator.

Members: Zahra Galehdar (Chair), Derek Hillis  (Board Member Link), Ève Dussault,  Alison Fraser, Sunil Kulkarni, Raphaël Lambert, Paulo Romero

4. Annual General Meeting

Goal: To organize and coordinate the AGM with respect to topic, plenary speakers, venue, abstract submissions, meeting agenda, advertising, food, tours, etc....  The meeting topic must take into consideration the interests of the Laurentian members as well as current science issues (specifically if they pertain to Ontario issues).  The Board member Link is usually the current President and/or Vice-President.

Members: Tim Boudreau (Chair and Board Member Link), Ève Dussault, James Eaton, Natalie Feisthauer, Trisha Murray, Peggy Wallis

5. Website

Goal: To develop and maintain the external website for the Laurentian membership and public (HTML), and to develop and maintain the internal website for the Laurentian Board members (FTP).  Board member link is usually the communications coordinator, but can be any interested Board member.

Members: Ève Dussault (Chair and Board Member Link), Jonathan Hill, Chris Marwood

6. Sponsorship

Goal: To develop a list of potential sponsors for funding  Laurentian activities (specifically short courses and AGMs).  To approach these sponsors, develop relationships, and follow-through with personal contact and thank-you=s.  The activities of this committee are not ongoing all year - instead, their involvement has to be requested by the Chair of another committee or by the current Laurentian President.  The Board member link is usually the Treasurer.

Members: TBD (Chair), Paul Welsh (Board Member Link), Tim Boudreau, Dave Rodgers, Cindy Smith

7. Newsletter

Goal: To maintain a dynamic and interesting venue for the activities and interestes of the Laurentian membership.  The newsletter is published at regular intervals throughout the course of the year (how often?).  The committee is to solisit, gather, review, and assemble the information into an electronic format that can be forwarded by e-mail to the membership as well as posted on the web site.  The Board member link is usually the communications coordinator, but can be any interested Board member.

Members: Mark Hanson (Chair), Nilima Gandhi (Board Member Link), James Eaton, Chris Marwood, Leana van der Vliet