AGENDA

Attendance:

James Fryer, Harvey Anderson, Peter Dolphin, Judy Anderson, Bruce Sells, Peter Anderson, Margaret Brosnan, Ken Fisher, Ken Marshall, Arthur Hilliker, Len Lillie, Michael Morrow, Stephen Pang, Peter Davies, Wafaa Antonious.

1. Call to Order:

Roll was called. As there are 14 members in attendance we have a quorum.

2. Approval of the Agenda

Motion to accept by: Judy Anderson

Seconded by: Stephen Pang

Vote - All in favour

3. Approval of the Minutes

• 53rd Annual Board Meeting of June 2, 1999, Winnipeg MB

  Judy Anderson was the Acting Chair since President Peter Dolphin was called away suddenly by the MRC.

  Motion to accept - Judy Anderson

  Seconded - Harvey Anderson

  Vote – All in favour

• 54^th Annual Board Meeting of June 6, 1999, Winnipeg, MB

  The Acting chair reported that there was much coming and going of Members of the Board, with the net result that quorum was not met.

  There is a correction of these minutes on pp3 # 5 Report of Board Representatives, paragraph one. The word ‘disparate’ should replace ‘defused’. Thus the paragraph will read: "Dr. Morrow would be asking his society for suggestions about steps that could be taken to make things better. The problem with the BSC is that they are disparate in location and interests."

Motion for acceptance of the minutes as amended - Judy Anderson

Seconded by: Mike Morrow

Vote – All in favour

4. Business Arising

This is included in the Report of the President.

5. Report of the President, Dr. Jim Fryer

I am pleased with the discussion of the Strategic Plan and congratulates our Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Sells, on the quality of the organization. He has already begun to bring forward clear and articulate messages about the vision for the CFBS. I am particularly pleased that Dr. Bruce Sells is the Executive Director of the Federation. He brings a richness of breadth and contacts because of his experience as a researcher and leader in Academia.

I am delighted that Dr. Harvey Anderson is coming on as the President, because he too has a broad depth of talent and experience. At his home University, the University of Toronto, Harvey is the Associate Dean of Research. Thus, Harvey will bring a depth and richness of expertise in both teaching, research and the administration of a Faculty of Medicine.

I am optimistic about the CFBS. An exciting blueprint of operation has come out of the Strategic Plan meeting. However, as a Canadian Nationalist, it is scandalous that more Canadians are not members of the member Societies of the CFBS. I feel badly that Canadian scientists do not support their own. We need to restore the pride and presence of Canadian Science. Our job in the CFBS is to provide a venue for all those Canadian scientists who do not have large sums of money to use for publicity, lobbying activities, exchanging research information, and getting educated on the latest of science. That is achieved by being a member of CFBS and attending the Annual Meeting.

The withdrawal of the Canadian Society for Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology from the CBFS is a major issue. It will have a significant financial and intellectual impact.

Dr. Fryer asked Peter Davies, CSBMCB President, to approach his society and find out: - What do they expect to see from the CFBS? How will the Science Advocacy activity interact with the CSBMCB?

Dr. Peter Davies, said he will circulate the minutes and reports from the CFBS meetings. Members will be (are) aware that the $45 levy for the CFBS goes to support the Advocacy activity. It does not support the Annual meeting. CSBMCB members expect to see a reduction in their membership fees as a result of the withdrawal. The greatest dissatisfaction has been with the Annual Scientific Conference. While the meeting is excellent science, it is too diffused. The focus of past meetings have been too broad. People want more narrowly focused meetings. They also want to feel that the posters are visited and discussed. In the CSBMCB, there are a number of older, well known people across the country who are not renewing as they become less active in the research. The CSBMCB recommends that a differential fee be established for the meeting such that there is a true advantage to being a member.

Discussion ensued.

J. Fryer: Are your members aware of the changes in the format of the program for the Ottawa meeting, June 2000?

P. Dolphin: P. Lewis, CSBMCB Past President, came to the Winnipeg, June 99 Meeting and we had extensive discussion and that is why the Ottawa Program is different from the pervious ones. An email went out to the CSBMCB members informing them that CFBS is changing the format of the meeting.

P. Davies: It is mainly dissatisfaction of the operation of the office that built over the years. If Bruce and Wafaa were there two years ago, the decision will not have been to withdraw.

P. Anderson: As a member of the CSBMCB I did not receive the ballot, but the ballot was more like a derived ballot, option of status quo or withdrawal.

Art: This should be discussed within CSBMCB.

P. Davies: I am glad to go to my members and recommend paying $45 or even more to support advocacy activities. I am glad to pay my $45.

P. Davies: where Societies do not contribute funds to the CFBS, we should go to the individual members to invite their membership and contribute to the advocacy activity.

J. Fryer: when you register for a US meeting, part of the funds go to lobby efforts for Science Policy and Advocacy at the level of the US Congress. It is frustrating, therefore, that Canadians pay twice: once in the US for US efforts, then, again for Canadian efforts several years later.

P. Davies - Noted a very significant advantage of the CFBS in addition to being a voice for Canadian Science. He goes to the big meetings partly to get up to date in his teaching areas. One of our problems is that the young scientists working in institutes do very little teaching. Therefore they simply do not know what the broad needs are.

S. Pang noted that the universities are cutting support for teaching. This is a reason for people not coming to general meetings. With the Science Policy activities, CFBS has a competition for people’s time. This results in a dilution of both Research and Teaching. In order to function as a Teacher in all the new curricula, you need a BROADER base than ever before.

J. Fryer thanked P. Davies for providing that point of view.

6. Report of the Honourary Secretary, Dr. Ken Fisher

• 6.1 Ottawa Meeting

The Chairman of the Local Committee, Dr. Mary L’Abeè reported on the status of plans for this meeting. Hotel rooms have been booked and the Ottawa Congress Centre contract has been signed.

• 6.2 Gordin Kaplan Award Nominations

Dr. Michael Smith was nominated. It is the recommendation of the Secretary to accept M. Smith as the awardee and speaker for the 2000 Meeting.

Motion to accept: K. Fisher

Seconded by: P. Dolphin

Vote - All in favour

There was discussion of the impact of the withdrawal of the CSBMCB on this award as Gordin Kaplan was a Biochemist/Physiologist. The Board felt that this award for public awareness of Canadian Science was part of the advocacy activity thus there is no impact of the withdrawal.

P. Davies inquired if CSBMCB will not be a CFBS Member Society, then CSBMCB members will not be eligible to apply and nominate for that award?

J. Fryer: CSBMCB will have a contract and these details will have to be outlined and discussed in the contract.

A. Hilliker asked that this should be noted in the meeting.

P. Anderson: M. Smith is in poor health and unable to attend the 2000 meeting to give the lecture. Discussion arisen re video conference, idea was dismissed.

• 6.2.1- Nomination -

New forms and guidelines are to be devised. A particular issue is whether or not a nominee has to be a member of a Constituent Society.

• 6.2.2 - Review Panel

A panel for the 2000 award will be established.

• 6.3 - Political Advocacy Award

This award was given in 1999 to Jon Gerrard (Minister for Science and Technology) and Reg Alcock, (Winnipeg South). As both local MPs and having a strong interest in Science, they were thrilled to have their efforts and contributions recognized. There was good Press coverage of the event. The Board discussed potential nominees for the 2000 award in Ottawa. The Board also recommended that the guidelines and policy for this award should be reviewed. Dr Hilliker wondered if the name should be changed to better reflect the nature of the activities; eg, Political Leadership Award.

House keeping Issues:

1. Bruce Sells as a Singing Authority-

Motion to accept: P. Anderson

Seconded by: P. Davies

Vote - All in favour

2. Bruce Sells as Signing Authority for Amounts up to $1,000

Motion to accept: P. Davies

Seconded by: P Anderson

Vote - All in favour

3. Ottawa the Localtion for the 2000 CFBS Meeting

Motion to accept: P. Davies

Seconded by: K. Marshall

Vote - All in favour

4. Motion to Amend the 53rd Board Meeting Minutes

Motion to accept: Judy Anderson

Seconded by: M. Brosnan

7. Report of the Treasurer, Dr. Art Hilliker

Dr. Hilliker reported there will be about $62,000 in cash in the bank by the end of the year.

• 7.1 - Budget

Dr Hilliker enclosed a modified year 2000 budget which projects a deficit of $5,873. This is a conservative budget which reflects our annual meeting, the Strategic Plan and future. It includes a number of passive changes. The actual membership projection was revised down. The exhibit booth income is increased to reflect a better estimate of income. On the other hand space rental is increased because of the times. Other negative influences include this November meeting which was not budgeted for and changes in the format of the Ottawa Meeting which lead to changes in the Conference budget. Instead of CFBS reimbursing each participating society $2,000 in speakers’ expenses, CFBS will be reimbursing the speakers directly with no $2,000 limitation, thus the speakers expenses estimated budget goes up from $12,000 to $40,000. This move is required to have a more successful Annual Meeting, thus CFBS would be capable of attracting the membership back to attending the meeting and have high revenue, which would make up for the deficit.

There was discussion of the relationship between the CFBS and the Member Societies re the funding of symposia.

Moved that the Budget be accepted by: A. Hilliker

Seconded by: P. Anderson

Approved with one abstention

8. Report of the Program Committee

• 8.1 The report of the Winnipeg Meeting, 1999 - Judy Anderson.

The Board was unanimous in its agreement that they thank Dr.s Judy Anderson and Linda McCargar for their outstanding work on the Winnipeg meeting. The Science was first rate and the organization and management were exemplary. The meeting was a huge success.

Motion to accept: H. Anderson

Seconded by: J. Anderson

• 8.2 Report on Ottawa Meeting, 2000 - Peter Anderson.

The two topics are Apoptosis and Functional Foods. Society input for chairs of sessions is now needed and finalizing the main speakers is in progress. There was discussion of a public lecture to be on the topic of Genetically Engineered foods. There was also discussion of the PMAC lecture. The Board was in agreement that we should fund a specific named speaker. The posters categories have been narrowed down from 59 to 9 broader categories, this is to attract students to apply for the posters. The categories list was read, and the meeting themes were added to the list, as per K. Marshall and J. Fryer’s requests.

The new format of the Program Committee has been reported by Peter Anderson, and requires further action.

Peter Dolphin noted that the Public Lecture was created in the Winnipeg Meeting to heighten the visibility of CFBS.

The Secretary encouraged all Board members to attend or send their offical proxy so that we can do the work of the Society at the Annual General Meeting, Thur June 24, 2000.

• 8.3 Program for 2001 - Dr. M. Brosnan

There was general discussion about the location of the CFBS meeting for the next 3 years. The Board felt that we should be aware of and responsive to joint or adjacent large meetings

2001 - Nutrition is in Toronto in early June and Genetics is in Ottawa

2002

2003 - International Biochemistry in Toronto

Moved that the 2001 Annual Meeting of the CFBS be held in Ottawa in conjunction with the meeting of the Genetics Society instead of in Halifax as originally planned in the last Winnipeg Sunday Program Meeting.

Motion to accept: Harvey Anderson

Seconded by: Stephen Pang

1 Abstention

J. Fryer urged the Program Committee to come to the Ottawa 2000 Meeting with a decision of the location and themes of the 2002 Meeting

M. Morrow suggested it is a good chance to know where the CSBMCB society is meeting in 2002. P. Davies replied that he knew where 2003 will be held, Toronto, but the location for 2002 has not been decided yet.

H. Anderson reflected the concern of the societies that were voiced at the Strategic Plan, that CFBS should find out where they are meeting and plan based on that information.

• 8.4 - Appointment of Local Committee Chair 2001?

The appointment of the Local Committee Chair has to be struck in the 2000 Meeting.

9. Report of the Local Committee Chair, Ottawa 2000

Mary L’Abeè, Local Committee Chair, reported on the details of the Ottawa Congress Centre and the timing of the various society events at the meeting.

10. Report of the Executive Director

Dr. B. Sells reviewed issues arising from the Strategic Plan Meeting.

The rationale for a Conference includes: PR for Canadian Science

- attract the next generation of Scientists

- make a presence for Canadian Science - celebration and profile

His highest priority has been to contact and work with all societies in Canada which have to do with the Life Sciences. He would like to get the individual research Institutes involved. We should call people across the country who have a high profile in Science and get a Virtual Committee who will provide us with Themes, Issues, etc.

There was general discussion of the Policy Activities and Advocacy.

J. Fryer - The presented list is a brief summary of the activity of the office. It is an outstanding beginning. Harvey Anderson - discussion of Advocacy and the issues around the lobbying activities. The member society presidents need to have input and be seen to be part of the planning process. We need a forum/structure for the Lobby which involves the member society Presidents. We should define the issues first then do the lobby.

K Marshall - suggested revising the activity document to reflect the extent of the lobbying activity, send out the report of the Strategic Plan.

The Mission Statement should be revised to reflect Advocacy and Research.

Bruce reported that NSERC and MRC felt that the advocacy of the Science Policy was highly useful.

11. By-Laws Revisions

There was a general discussion of the Letters Patent and By-laws of the Society. It was agreed that many clauses need revision to make them clearer, reflect the current operation and/or to modernize them. Further, it was agreed that electronic communications should be added to the By-laws wherever appropriate.

As an expression of the wishes of the Board the following motions were passed.

Moved that the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies approves the use of secured email for voting.

Motion to accept: by P. Dolphin

Seconded by: S. Pang

Vote – All in favour

Moved by P. Dolphin, seconded by H Anderson that the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies approves the electronic circulation of proposals and the voting on By-law revisions.

The Secretary will consult with legal authority to review the Letters Patent and the subsequent By-laws and present proposals for revisions at the next Annual General Meeting.

12. Burroughs Welcome

The application deadline is Mar 1. We need to focus on the advertising of the awards so that the word gets out. This year in addition to getting all of our members into the publicity we will notify the various Research V.P.s of the Universities.

The President and Board offered their thanks to Peter Anderson for administering this program

13. AstraZeneca

Judy Anderson reported on the status of the competition this year. There were 10 applications.

Thanks to Judy for all of her work .

In the general discussion it was noted that we will need a new chairman for the program for the next year. B. Sells noted that the CFBS has a responsibility to see that the contract and the deadlines are being done and fulfilled.

14. Motion to Adjourn

Motion to accept: J. Anderson

Seconded by: S. Pang

Vote - All in favour