The Microcirculatory Society, Inc.
Newsletter

Volume 28, Number 1

Summer, 2000

Call To Order:

The Business meeting was called to order by Dr. Ron Tuma, President of the Society, at 4:09 P.M., PDT, in room 6D of the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.

Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the 1999 Annual Business Meeting published previously in the June (Summer, 1999) Newsletter were approved unanimously.

Treasurer's Report:

Dr. Paul F. McDonagh presented his final report as Treasurer. Details of the Treasurer's Report are contained in this (Summer, 2000) Newsletter. The bottom line is that the Society remains in excellent shape with total assets of $219,455.80 with the "loss" for the year approximately $6,000, the amount the Society paid to help bail out the Russian IUPS meeting. These figures do not reflect the $10,000 contribution to the Society by APS. There was a call for all members to not only pay their dues, a recurring theme throughout the meeting, but to recruit new members. The question as to the actual number of members was raised by Dr. Dick Slaff and it remains unanswered, in part because many very active members do not pay their dues. Dr. Bill Jackson noted that he does not recall ever receiving a dues notice, a comment heard from a few other individuals. A question was also raised as to what the Society "wants" the balance to be. To this, there was no immediate answer. Dr. Bob Gore indicated that the Web site is a place where one can obtain information as to their own dues status as well as that of friends and colleagues. He noted that historically, 53% of the membership does not pay their dues on an annual basis with some members not having paid for multiple years. He suggested that all members take responsibility for assuring that the membership information on the Web site is up to date, most importantly the e-mail address. A suggestion was made to provide a "registration desk" at the meeting to help with dues collection, a problem which has developed since our registration was taken over by FASEB and Experimental Biology. Dr. McDonagh noted that both he and the Secretary are visible throughout the meeting and willing to take dues payment at any time.

Secretary's Report:

Dr. Mary Ellsworth, as part of her Secretary's report, proposed that the Society replace the paper newsletter with the electronic version present on the Web site. There was much discussion. Several members wished to maintain the paper version and it was suggested that those individuals who wish to receive a paper newsletter request it and it will be provided. Certainly there is no intention to deprive any Society member of access to the information contained in it. A motion was made by her to move to a web-based newsletter with the last paper newsletter being the Fall issue with the stipulation that anyone who wishes to continue to receive the paper newsletter will be sent it. A vote was taken with the majority approving the plan with two dissenters.

Progress Report on Plans for the 7th World Congress:

Dr. Michael Perry, President of the 7th World Congress for Microcirculation to be held in Sydney, Australia, 19-23 August 2001 presented to the Society information regarding plans for the meeting. During his slide presentation he provided information regarding the venue and approximate costs for the meeting (registration $400 US$, accommodations $20-200 US$ [Youth hostel to top class hotel], airfare $800-1000 US$ from west coast), a list of some of the proposed symposia with a request for any other suggestions to be provided within the next 2-3 months, i.e., no later than August 1, 2000.  

Membership Committee Report: 

Dr. Bob Gore, as Chairman of the Membership Committee and the "Web guy" requested again that all members check their personal information on the Web site, pay their dues, and help recruit new members. A question was raised regarding the feasibility of paying dues using a credit card. There was great interest in being able to do so. It will be explored both in terms of obtaining the secure site that would be required for such an option. Paul McDonagh also indicated that there are many banks that are providing "virtual" banking services which might be another way to go. He and our new Treasurer, Dr. Ann Baldwin, will continue to explore on-line dues payment. The membership was very supportive of having available this option. Dr. Tuma commended Dr. Gore on his continuing superb job as manager of the Society Web site.

Nomination Committee Report: 

Dr. Roger Adamson, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, provided the names of the newly elected Society officers. They are:

President-Elect: Dr. Ingrid Sarelius
Treasurer: Dr. Ann Baldwin
Councilors: Drs. Klaus Ley and Steve Segal.

He thanked all the members who ran for election and indicated that the election was extremely close.

Publications Committee Report:

Dr. Ingrid Sarelius, in her final report as Chair of the Publications Committee, reported that the Journal was doing well. The frequency of publication has increased from 4 issues/year to 6 issues/year. She requested that members increase submissions to the Journal which currently has an acceptance rate for manuscripts of 42%. A brief discussion as to the "impact factor" followed, a criteria that many Journals are becoming concerned about as it is being used by Universities and other organizations as a means of evaluation of faculty. There are plans for a Special issue of the journal focusing on a specific topic. In addition, there will be an industry sponsored issue which should be published the end of the year. Both of these additions should increase the impact factor for the journal. The membership was informed that the Journal will be sent to those individuals who have paid their dues and will also be available on line for these members.

Awards Committee Report:

In Harvey Mayrovitz's absence, Ron Tuma provided the names of the 2000 Society Awardees for 2000. They included:

The Landis Award to Dr. Karl-E. Arfors
The August Krogh Young Investigator Award (supported by Fine Science Tools, Inc.) to Justin Jagger
The Microcirculatory Society Travel Award (supported by Cytometrics, Inc.) to Sarah Y. Yuan
The Christian Crone Travel Award to Steffen-Sabastin Bolz.

Long Range Planning Committee Report:

The Long Range Planning Committee recommended that the Society hold its 2002 meeting in association with Experimental Biology 2002 in New Orleans. A motion to do so was made and approved unanimously.

The 8th World Congress:  

Our Society is hosting the 8th World Congress for Microcirculation, 2005, which is to be held in association with the IUPS meeting which is scheduled for Washington, D.C., August 7-12, 2005. The 8th World Congress for Microcirculation could be held either before or after the IUPS meeting, but proposals are needed from potential hosts and venues. A consortium of interested people is being formed since no individual has yet stepped forward to shoulder this task.

Adjournment:

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Dr. Ron Tuma at 5:10 P.M. PDT.