General Meeting 2007

1. Present
   
   Richard O’Hair (President), Simin Maleknia (Secretary), Stephen Blanksby (Treasurer), Murray McEwen (ANZSMS21 Convenor), Kevin Downard, Andy Mower, John Bowie, Colin Freeman, Peter Cullis, Frank Anatolasic, Graham Macfarlane, Kerryn Mason, Simone Rochfort, Philip Zeglinski, Nicholas Proschogo, Craig Trenerry, Eric Mattson, Noel Davies
   
   
2. Apologies
   
   Margaret Sheil, Samantha Neils, Carolyn McKinlay, Charles Hocart, Stewart Walker, John Traeger
   
   
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting (2006 AGM)
   
   The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 17th August, 2006 at the University of Wollongong had previously been circulated on the ANZSMS web site.
   
   Approved.
   
   
4. Business Arising from the Minutes
   
   See Item 7 and Item 8.
   
   
5. President's Report - Richard O'Hair
   
   

   Richard thanked John Traeger for his past efforts as president and his role in the International Society. He thanked all those involved in the nomination of John Bowie for the Thomson medal and recognised his outstanding achievements. John Bowie was awarded the Thomson medal (together with Gross and Karas) "for his considerable contributions to fundamental organic mass spectrometry, particularly those involving the study of negative ions". Bowie was congratulated on this award.

   Richard asked members for their input on how we can improve the Society and called upon the membership to be involved.

   The web site created and managed by John Traeger was acknowledged as a great resource and archive of past minutes and activities. Improvements to the web site and hosting were discussed (job advertising, meeting advertising etc). Given the workload, it was suggested a working group be formed to investigate website hosting and updating issues. Greater publicity of upcoming events on the site was needed.

   Representation at AGMs has been another issue given diverse localities of members. Obtaining a quorum for voting can be difficult. Problems with communication create a perception of problems with transparency. Simin Maleknia suggested the use of new technologies such as teleconferencing and webcasting to get more people involved in these meetings. Simin Maleknia offered to host Annual General Meeting at the University of New South Wales.

   Richard called for other suggestions and noted that a future visiting speaker from Purdue University, Paul Wenthold will visit early July 2007 to probably Victoria, NSW, Queensland and speak on "Mass Spectrometric Studies of the Structure and Reactivity of Organic Ions and Polyradicals"

   Richard thanked organisers and convenor of ANZSMS21 for a very successful and a well run meeting.
   
   
6. Treasurer's Report - Stephen Blanksby
   
   

   Steve Blanksby reported we now have on-line registration and he will shortly request 2007 membership payments. He noted a T-shirt might be included with membership.
   Downard asked whether online membership was available all year and this was confirmed to be the case.

   Major costs in 2006 were $7,600 student travel awards (mostly ASMS, IMSC)
   Currently $47,924 was in the society account. Following ANZSMS21 this was $39,924
   -$8,000 student travel awards.

   Blanskby warned of increased travel awards impacting on a surplus budget. A profit from ANZSMS21 was said to ease these concerns.
   
   
7. Constitutional Change
   
   

   A small change to Section 13 of the Constitution was discussed. An amendment was made to the posted change on the ANZSMS web site to now read:

   
   
   Section 13. Officers.
   
   

   Officers of The Society are President, Past-President, Vice President, Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Convenor of the forthcoming conference. No person shall be elected to the same position on the Central Committee for more than four consecutive terms. The retiring President will automatically become the Past-President of the Central Committee until he or she is replaced by his or her successor.
   
   Three extra Central Committee Members may be elected to ensure adequate representation of geographical or disciplinary groupings within The Society, such representation not being compulsory, but at the discretion of the members of The Society at a valid General Meeting.

   
   Members passed the change after suggestions from Peter Cullis and Colin Freeman with amendments. Kevin Downard also sought clarification of what is meant by the word "term" – years or between AGMs? The constitutional change was passed (O'Hair, seconded Blanksby).
   
   
8. ANZSMS Medals
   
   

   Richard discussed previously drafted description of medals and criteria as posted on web site. He thanked those involved in process to-date and asked that the proposal be ratified. John Bowie noted previous Morrison medallist was from overseas and this should be kept flexible. Kevin Downard argued for award to go to Australian or NZ scientists only, including those working overseas. He also did not think international references or input need be required for Bowie medal.

   Other minor changes to wording were noted, resulting in a revised set of Award Guidelines. It was suggested that these guidelines be highlighted to the membership for further comment, and that the design and striking of the medals be initiated.
   
   
9. Conference Convenor's Report - Murray McEwan
   
   

   Murray McEwan reported on improved registration numbers over those expected. He reported over 130 attendees, some 110 registrants. Commercial support from industry was greatly acknowledged. Platinum and gold sponsors were secured which ensured the viability of the meeting and the use of the conference organisers. Murray thanked the conference office for their efforts and in reducing the workload of the conference committee. He forecast a surplus that can be used for future student travel awards and other activities.
   
   

10. Venues for ANZSMS22 and ANZSMS23
    
    

    Richard O'Hair announced nomination for the next two conferences to-date:

    (1) Charles Hocart and Carolyn McKinlay: ANZSMS22 in or around Canberra.
    (2) Samantha Nelis: ANZSMS23 in Queensland.

    Kevin Downard presented a proposal for ANZSMS22 to be held at the Music conservatorium of the University of Sydney in the city of Sydney. He noted a vote at the Lorne AGM in 2003 endorsed Sydney as the preferred location for ANZSMS22, and a backup for ANZSMS21 should NZ not be able to host the event. The availability of hotel rooms and accommodation, particularly for students, was discussed.

    Expanded proposals for the two ANZSMS22 venues suggested will be asked for by the executive committee and presented to members to discuss and vote on.
    
    
11. Any Other Business
    
    

    Andy Mower of ISOscience spoke of value back for companies working in ICP and IR-MS and suggested greater representation from these groups could boost membership. He also asked for all registrant details to be provided to companies. Richard noted that our membership list was available to companies.

    Kevin Downard suggested having a dedicated "industry" position on the executive committee. Richard noted that positions on the executive committee were open to nominees from all areas.

    Peter Cullis requested workshops to be organised in future ANZSMS meetings for training members on various applications. Peter suggested that workshops would also boost conference attendees.