Present: Prof. Huw Rees (chair), Dr Andy Bates, Dr Dave Fernig, Dr Sandy McLennan, Dr Mike White
1. Apologies were received from Prof. Philip Rudland.
2. Minutes This meeting was intended as an opportunity to catch up with the current state of play. No minutes were considered.
3. Budget It was confirmed that initial approaches for sponsorship had been successful, and the current list consisted of:
Biochemical Society £5000 + secretarial support
Cancer and Polio Research Fund £10000
Astra Zeneca £5000
Society for Endocrinology up to £3000 colloquium costs — Nuclear receptors
CCID colloquium costs — Host-pathogen
In addition is was agreed that the following organisations and companies should be approached:
Action
4. Colloquia All the colloquia organisers have produced tentative lists of speakers. In addition, Phill Hawkins has proposed some additional Pleanary speakers. The list of Plenaries is almost finalised (see below) and it was agreed that HHR/ADB would clarify this situation with Phill Hawkins.
It was considered important that we co-ordinate the number of speakers in each colloquium (5 per half-colloquium), so the timings of the parallel sessions are in phase, and that we be kept fully informed by organisers of developments. The following timetable was suggested:
Early January After clarification of the situation with Phill Hawkins, colloquium organisers will be asked to informally invite their preferred speakers during January.
March 1 Meeting to review finances
March Put accepted plenaries on Web, plus any other speaker acceptances.
March 31 Official invitations from The Biochemical Society
September 4 Final funding review
5. Plenaries Of the eight proposed plenary speakers, seven have accepted our invitation. Only Susan Lindquist has not replied. It was agreed that in the first instance, she should be approached again, but that other speakers such as those suggested by Phill Hawkins should be considered subsequently (but see current discussion: 9/1/01).
6. Historical Lecturer It was agreed to approach George Pitt in the first instance, but that George Britton and/or Rob Beynon be considered as alternatives.
7. Social Events DGF suggested that he will mail the various options for social events and venues to the Programme Committee in early January. The importance of booking appropriate venues early was emphasised.
7. AOB It was agreed that a final decision about the viability of the meeting, in relation to a detailed budget and known sources of sponsorship and income be made one year in advance of the meeting, namely 4/9/01.
Andy Bates
9/1/01