Minutes, Business Meeting
Annual Meeting
Michigan Chapter Society for Neuroscience
University of Michigan
Monday, 13 May 2002

President’s report

President Lookingland welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He especially thanked the co-organizers of the meeting, Audrey Seasholtz and Margit Burmeister for all their efforts in obtaining the meeting site and organizing all the details of the meeting.

Lookingland thanked the exhibitors, without whom this meeting would not be possible. He encouraged all attendees to meet with exhibitors and thank them for their participation.

Lookingland reviewed the three main charges addressed at the January 2002 council meeting. These main points are summarized in the minutes from that meeting, and include updates to the chapter website, ways to expand our membership and increase meeting attendance.

Treasurer’s report

Weber reported on the Chapter’s financial situation before paying for all the meeting expenses. The Chapter had approximately $6800 in the bank prior to this meeting. Generous contributions from several sources have continued to help cover the cost of this meeting. Pharmacia Corporation ($600) and Pfizer ($600) donated funds for the Montford Piercey Award and Duncan McCarthy Award, respectively. Verne Hulce was acknowledged for arranging a $1,000 contribution from the Field Neurosciences Institute. Additionally, the Neuroscience Program of the University of Michigan covered approximately $1,000 in speaker travel and accommodation costs.

The financial contributions of the exhibitors also helped cover a large portion of the meeting costs. Ten companies participated as exhibitors at the meeting this year. In total, the vendors contributed over $3200.00 in exhibitor fees and $200 for advertising in the meeting program. This year was the first year that the Chapter offered the exhibitors the opportunity to place ads in the conference program in addition to renting exhibit table space.

Weber also reported that over $6000 in membership/registration fees were received. There were 186 (113 full members, 73 student members) in attendance. Weber anticipates that the income from the meeting will exceed the meeting costs, so the financial status of the Chapter is very good.

Secretary’s report

Baker briefly reviewed the minutes of the January 2002 councilors meeting which will be posted on the Chapter website for all members to review.

Baker added another thank you to the vendors for their participation and contribution to the meeting and encouraged everyone to stop by the exhibitor’s tables and thank them personally.

Baker also thanked those who prepared posters displaying Brain Awareness Week involvement and encouraged all conference participants to get involved in Brain Awareness Week activities and to document this involvement with photos that could be shared on the Chapter website in the future.

Elections

Lookingland led the elections for new Council Members. The following positions were elected:

President-Elect: Lisa Baker (WMU)
Wayne State Councilor: Jeffrey Potts
Pharmacia Councilor: Mihaly Hajos
Student councilor: Christian Kreipke (WSU)