Minutes of the Steering Committee Meeting

Hilton - Union Square, San Francisco, California

Sunday, March 26, 2000

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

The meeting of the Steering Committee for the Biotechnology Secretariat (BTEC) was opened at 7:00 AM with self-introductions and signing the attendance sheet. There were 22 representatives and friends present (see Attendee List shown below).

The Minutes for the New Orleans Steering Committee Meeting were approved. The Treasurer's report showed a balance of $10,964.08 and was approved. The large balance is due to $5,000 in grant funds for the program at the San Francisco meeting.

Sharon Shoemaker reported on the program at the San Francisco meeting. It is in three components: (1) 21^st century introduction by President Busch, (2) BTEC program of three Symposia, (3) Cosponsored Symposia. She received grants to support the symposia of $2000 from Committee on Science, $1000 in matching funds from ACS, $5000 from DOE, and support from BCI and Rohm & Haas for Symposia speakers and dinner.

Fred Heineken led a round of applause and thanks to Sharon for a timely topic and a very well planned Program for the San Francisco Meeting.

Sharon Shoemaker also reported on attending the Fall1999 Program Planning and Coordinating Conference (P2C2) in St. Petersburg. The P2C2 emphasis this time was on the current year because of the change to electronic programming and abstract submission. Sharon gave a presentation on Secretariats to the Program Chairs. "Guidelines for the Formation, Operation, and Dissolution of Secretariats" are to be coming from ACS. Those guidelines will help explain what Secretariats are and are not. The first attemp to set up guidlelines was in 1986. The Secretariat is to submit a report to the Divisional Activities Committee for timing and approval of Symposium topics at ASC Meetings.

The delegate to the Fall 2000 P2C2 should be Dave Kaplan (Program Chair 2002).

Guenter Grethe reported on the preparations for programming at the Spring 2001 Meeting in San Diego. Seven divisions have promised symposia and he will be getting more details after this meeting. He is planning a plenary session with four speakers focusing on an overview and a look into the future. There is still time to add more Divisional Symposia.

Guenter Grethe attended the Divisional Officer’s Conference (DOC) where Secretary-Generals were invited for the first time. This raised the question about Secretariat financial support for the Secretary-General to go to the DOC and the Secretariat Program Chair to go to the P2C2. If BTEC can support only one, that one should probably be the Program Chair. Dues paid by the member divisions have been used in the past to pay for continental breakfasts, abstract booklets (separates) at the national meetings where there are BTEC programs, and miscellaneous expenses.

Graham Swift was unanimously elected Secretary/Treasurer with his term to start as soon as possible. Sharon Shoemaker gave certificates of appreciation to retiring Secretary-General Fred Heineken and Secretary/Treasurer Anna Wilson for their years of service.

Topic approval for Fall 2002 programming in Boston shows one positive and no negative votes, so the Symposium Topic ("Biotechnology for a Sustainable Environment") is approved. Sharon Shoemaker reminded us that we need to have WRITTEN support from each participating Division to get financial support from the Committee on Science for support of a BTEC Program. Preparation should start at least one year in advance.

Fred Heineken reminded everyone of the BTEC Web-Site that Andrew Berks has set up. Andy has agreed to be the BTEC Webmaster, and reported that the web address is:

http://membership.acs.org//b/btec/btechome.html

It can be accessed from the ACS membership page, has listed the BTEC Member Divisions, and will include the minutes from the San Francisco meeting.

Planning for 2003. The Secretariat Representatives voted to hold the 2003 BTEC Program in New Orleans. Sharon Vercellotti (SCHB) and the Louisianna Alliance for Biotechnology are very interested in helping with the program. Possible topics are: Medical Biotechnology, Global Change, Natural Fibers, Marine Biotechnology, Biogels, and DNA technology. Guenter suggested we need a broad topic such as Biotechnology in the service of medicine, including stem cells. A Symposium Topic and Organizer should be designated by the Fall 2000 Washington meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 AM.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Anna Wilson

Present:

Andrew Berks (CINF), Clara Craver (ComCom), Guenter Grethe (CINF), Fred Heineken (BIOT), Lisa Nash (PETR), Michael Shea (ACS), Graham Swift (PMSE), Anna Wilson (CHED), Michael Trehy (ENVR), Sarah Harcum (BIOT), James Piret (BIOT), William Woodruff (), Ted Williams (ANYL), Debbie Crans (INOR), Roberta Colman (BIOL), Buddy Ratner (POLY), D. Rajasekaran (AGFD), William Greenlee (MDCH),Sharon Vercellotti (SCHB), Dave Kaplan (PMSE), Judd Nelson (AGRO), Sharon Shoemaker (BIOT), and John Finley (AGFD).

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