AIBS Report
On November 7, I represented the Society at the annual meeting of the AIBS Council, held at the Grand Hiatt Hotel here in Washington. Most of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of different aspects of "The three general goals of this plan are to (1) serve as a national representative for biology and biologists, (2) enhance biological education and research, and (3) enhance interaction among professional societies. Much of the discussion at the meeting was devoted to the relationship between AIBS and its member societies. I believe the following are of interest to our Society:
(1) Suggestions regarding the annual AIBS meeting, were made, including the continuation of one large general meeting, smaller meetings with a distinct focus, and the possibility of a December meeting. I was recognized that some societies were reluctant to meet with AIBS because of the size, cost, and desire to interact with other societies. Nothing definite was resolved here beyond the plan to make an increased effort to get more societies to meet occasionally with AIBS.
(2) AIBS has a meeting department which can help societies organize their own meetings by providing a professional staff to interact with the local committee.
(3) There was a general recognition that communication between AIBS and its member societies must be improved. AIBS will communicate with both society presidents and AIBS representatives, and BioScience will do two things to increase the visibility of societies: (PSA should take advantage of this). It was the consensus of the meeting that AIBS should have better electronic communications with its members.
(4) AIBS must become more active in influencing public policy. The consensus of the meeting was that a public policy committee or committees should be established (or reestablished) within AIBS to serve as a means of putting forward issues of importance to the societies.
(5) AIBS may be asking member societies to help expand and already successful program of congressional fellows (work in the office of a member of congress for a year providing scientific expertise).
(6) In the education area, a proposal was made that AIBS compile a list of scientists who are available to speak to local schools (K-12) and to provide advice to educational organizations.
(7) Under the topic of coalition building, a National Plant Science Forum is being developed to bring together societies with interests in this area - PSA is included.
Overall, the meeting seemed very constructive, and I got the impression that AIBS is making a greater effort to reach to its members and to increase its role in influencing public policy.
--Philip Sze
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Phycological Newsletter Vol. 31, No. 1 April 1995
Last updated: Jul. 13, 2005
