BOD Meeting recap The first of the new format BOD meetings last night went well. We got all our work done and finished exactly 90 minutes after we started. I’ve heard from a few folks that they like the new format. I’m happy that the work it took to get us here seems to be well received. Melissa our Parliamentarian was on the call and felt positive about how things went. There will likely need to be some fine tuning as we settle into this but for a first time out I’d say it was a success.
All the information about board meetings will be available at the Board Meeting Records page From the home page menu select “About the Society” then “Board of Directors” then use the link on that page to go to Board Meeting Records. If you aren’t logged in you will be prompted to do so. The meeting records are behind a login to limit viewing to members only.
PayPal The board voted to migrate away from using PayPal as primary credit card processor to Square which is much friendlier, costs less, and is more flexible. That should happen within a few weeks.
2026 Symposium A motion was made and discussed that the 2026 symposium be a virtual event instead of in person. Most of the symposium planners are a bit tired, we’re running short of cash and can’t afford to lose money on future symposia, attendance is well below what we’d like to see, advertising and marketing is weak, the exhibitors group strongly favors waiting till 2027 for an in-person, Chris Bock (Junior workshop chair and 2025 chair), Kevin Teaford (Regular workshop chair), Ron Biehler (Symposium Coordinator) all favor an extra year of planning for the next in person symposium. I’m proposing that if the BOD votes to approve a virtual for 2026 and in-person for 2027 we start now to form a committee to plan for 2027.
Going forward each symposium would have a 2 year planning cycle. One of the biggest struggles we face each year is having only a short year to plan each event. Everyone feels rushed, many things get done late or not as well as they could due to lack of time, nerves get frazzled. It’s not a good way to do business.
I brought the motion to the board for discussion and had pre-planned to table it for a decision next month. This gives the directors time to consider the details, talk with their fellow directors and section members, then show up informed and ready to make a decision that benefits the society. If you have questions or concerns or want to volunteer to help contact your section director or me.
YouTube I’ve also gotten an ASGS YouTube channel started. For the time being it only holds Board meeting Zoom recordings. In the future it will hold the society’s technical videos for our members to access. Jill Korgmagi-Clarke has agreed to lead this process of migrating videos. If you have video editing experience or are tech inclined reach out to her or to me with your interest.
TTFN
Erich Moraine
ASGS President
