[FUN_Mail] SFN meeting and strategic planning

[Ramirez, Julio]

Terrific discussion! Just as an FYI, Article II of the bylaws does have the statement of purpose (below) that may be a good launching point for further dialogue about a Mission Statement.

“The purpose of the Faculty For Undergraduate Neuroscience shall be to advance the interdisciplinary study of all facets of neuroscience on the undergraduate Level; by the promotion of research in neuroscience both as a model for and to encourage participation by undergraduates; to develop undergraduate courses in neuroscience; to develop professional competency in the latest methods of neuroscience so as to be able to share them with undergraduates; to contribute towards the knowledge base of neuroscience through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers/posters, discussions, publications, and in general to advance scientific interests and inquiry.”

Best always,

Julio

Julio J. Ramirez, Ph.D.
R. Stuart Dickson Professor
Director, Neuroscience Program
Co-Director, Neuroscience Scholars Program
   Society for Neuroscience
Department of Psychology
Wall Academic Building
Room 270
Box 7017
Davidson College
Davidson, NC 28035-7017

Voice: 704-894-2888

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From: FUN_Mail [mailto:fun_mail-bounces at lists.funfaculty.org] On Behalf Of Phillips, Kimberley
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 1:56 PM
To: fun_mail at lists.funfaculty.org
Subject: Re: [FUN_Mail] SFN meeting and strategic planning

Hi Ron,

Sorry I wasn't able to make it to the FUN booth to talk about strategic planning. As I mentioned to you at the end of the JUNE board meeting, I recently completed my 2 yr term as President of a society (American Society of Primatologists), where I initiated strategic planning. We ended up hiring a consultant to collect and summarize the data, mainly because we felt we needed a neutral party to do so. However, I learned a lot about the process, data gathering, summarizing, reporting, etc.  I am happy to assist with strategic planning for FUN.

Some thoughts/comments:
 Financial.  I'm a big proponent of transparency. It bothers me that at no time have the financial reports been presented and discussed (for JUNE, and I attended the business meeting last year and don't recall this info being presented).  In order for FUN to make decisions about future goals and programs, I think it is imperative that we all have an understanding of existing funds and how they are allocated.  I think an openness about finances makes others trust in the organization, too.

I definitely think a mission statement is needed, as well as an articulated vision and goals. This helps to ensure that decisions are made that further the mission of the Society.  The vision and goals can be informed by what the membership indicates as important considerations for FUN.

I think the website needs to be completely revamped and reorganized. It isn't very intuitive, and so the only site I go to the site is to pay my dues (which isn't very easy to do, either).  I don't know all of the programmatic elements of FUN, timelines, etc.  - seems that anyone should be able to readily discern these from the website.

Administrative thought - the President's term is 1 year - correct? That probably isn't enough time to do much of anything; I would consider changing it to 2 years. {Though I am sure that would have to be a membership vote to change the By-Laws.}

Those are my thoughts for now.
Kim





Ronald J. Bayline
Professor and Chair, Biology Department
Highmark Professor in the Life Sciences
Washington and Jefferson College
60 South Lincoln Street
Washington, PA 15301
ph: (724) 250-3406
fx:  (724) 228-3802
email:  rjbayline at washjeff.edu<mailto:rjbayline at washjeff.edu>
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Kimberley A. Phillips, Ph.D.
Professor, Psychology
Chair of Neuroscience
Trinity University
San Antonio TX

Core Scientist, Southwest National Primate Research Center
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio TX

Past-President, The American Society of Primatologists
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