ASSCR Rules
Photo from Gary Peh (Monash University).
Neural cells from human embryonic stem cells labelled green for a specific protein nestin, with the nucleus stained blue.
OK, so at our recent steering committee
meeting to establish the new Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research we
talked about rules.
All Societies require rules and in this, the
ASSCR is no exception. So, our last meeting established some basic rules, very
similar to most societies. Some of them are as follows:
MEMBERSHIP
Regular Members or those professionals
working in with stem cells or in a stem cell related field. Regular membership will also include
people working in a company rather than just an academic environment. Corporate
memberships were also discussed as possible.
Student Members - Student members will
be required to be actively studying in a stem cell related field and have full
voting privileges.
Associate Members - Anyone interested
in stem cell biology and therapies.
Membership fees will be due on
the 1st of August of each year. Usually membership fees are due prior to the
annual meeting of the society and therefore registrants may be able to get
reduced society membership fees at the time of registration for the conference.
Membership fees will be $85 for regular
members and $40 for student members. These will be due on the 1st of August of
each year. Usually membership fees are due prior to the annual meeting of the
society and therefore registrants may be able to get reduced society membership
fees at the time of registration for the conference.
The society will require a stated privacy
policy that specifies that member contact details and information will not be
distributed if the member specifies this on the application form at the time of
registration.
GOVERNANCE
There will be 5 members of the executive
committee with an additional 5 general members of the committee preferably
representing different regions. These members and the executive committee
should have the ability to co-opt someone onto the committee. A student
representative should also be included on the committee.
The 5 executive committee members will be an
elected President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Communication Officer and also
a Vice-President.
Nomination of the executive committee will be
elected at the first AGM. The steering committee members should consider who
would be willing and suitable to fill these positions on the committee before
this time. Or, if anyone outside the steering committee wants to nominate
someone or themselves, get in touch!
LOCATION & TIME OF COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
Time of committee members should be a minimum
of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years after which time the Vice President will
preferably become President Elect.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
So as to ensure representation throughout
Australia and New Zealand, we also discussed the location of the ASCC committee
members and if this should change each year to align with an annual conference.
Concerns were raised if there were enough suitable members in each state of
Australia or New Zealand to fill all 10 places per year. Alternatively, representatives
from different states coming onto the committee at different times would ensure
more consistency and continuity of the society.
If you have any comments or are interested in being
involved, let us know!