Minutes of the Annual Business Meeting
Michigan Chapter, Society for Neuroscience
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Friday, May 22, 1998

1. Welcome and Introduction. Matthew Galloway gave a warm welcome to the registered guests at this year’s meeting. He thanked Paul Walker and his colleagues at Wayne State for their work in organizing this year’s meeting. He also gave special acknowledgements to Jennifer Gibson for her work in making this event run smoothly, Kjell Svennsson for the great job he has done as Chair of the Awards Committee, and Kristi Haik-Creguer for her work on maintaining the Chapter’s web site. He also expressed his appreciation to the sponsors of this year’s event, including WSU Department of Psychology, WSU Medical School, and the many vendors who participated in this year’s event.

2. Report from the Meeting Chair. Paul Walker reported that there were about 150 registered participants at this year’s meeting. He gave special thanks to Greg Basura, Paul Gresch, and Lisa Baker for their help in making this year’s event so successful. He presented flowers to Jennifer Gibson, in special recognition of her extra efforts in handling much of the work needed to host this event.

3. Brain Awareness Week Review. Gary Dunbar reported on outcomes of events in the Mid-Michigan area, which included lab tours, a symposium, and outreach programs to schools in the area. Paul Walker highlighted some of the outcomes of events in the Detroit area. He indicated that 25 faculty and students from Wayne State participated in a highly successful outreach program, which extended this year beyond the inner-city high schools to include some of the schools in suburban Detroit as well. He indicated that Maureen Hahn set up a Science Center exhibit, that Mike Bannon spoke of the event on local radio, and that Matt Galloway was interviewed about the event by NPR. Lisa Baker reported on outcomes of events in the Kalamazoo area, which included outreach programs at elementary schools, public display tables and literature displays at libraries, health departments, and book stores. She reported a successful hands-on exhibit and essay contest for fourth graders, with a Brain Awareness Week t-shirt awarded to the winners. Cheryl Sisk reported on the “science day at the mall” event in the Lansing area, and Audrey Seasholtz reported on the outreach program in Ann Arbor, where faculty and students presented at local elementary schools.

4. Secretary’s Report. Gary Dunbar indicated that the minutes of last year’s Annual Business Meeting of May 16, 1997 and the Councilor’s meeting of February 4, 1998 have been approved by the Councilors and are posted on the web. He also indicated that he has organized a file of all the Chapter’s records by calendar year from 1975 to the present.

5. Treasurer’s Report. Keith Lookingland indicated that the Chapter has a balance of approximately $5,000, but this figure does not include final meeting expenses. He suggested that registration next year should be done via the web site. He indicated that this would also facilitate updating of the membership list.

6. President’s Report. Matt Galloway reported that the Chapter is doing well and has been active in its promotion of the Brain Awareness events. He indicated that the Chapter has strengthened its contact with the national office. He underscored the importance of information transfer at all levels to ensure the Chapter continues to grow and function successfully. He noted that there are still several neuroscientists in Michigan who are not actively engaged in the Chapter’s activities. He suggested that everyone try to contact at least one other person to increase the scope and level of participation.

7. Presentation of Awards. Kjell Svensson thanked the fellow committee members and announced this year’s award winners: John Galasso (UM), Michigan Chapter Award; Maureen Hahn (WSU), Duncan McCarthy Award; Greg Basura (WSU) and Tina Harik (WMU), Graduate Student Poster Competition; M. Prakash (WSU), Research Associate Poster Competition; Robert Stacey (CMU), Undergraduate Poster Competition.

8. Elections. Results of this year’s elections are as follows: Gary Dunbar (President-Elect, 1998-1999); Keith Lookingland (Treasurer, 1998-2000); Mike Bannon (WSU Councilor, 1998-2000); Lisa Baker (Councilor-at-Large, 1998-2000); Kalpana Merchant (PNU Councilor, 1998-2000); Kristi Haik-Creguer (Student Councilor, 1998-2000).

9. New Business. It was announced that WMU and PNU will cohost the next Annual Meeting.

10. Meeting Adjourned.