Minutes
The Society for Genomics Policy and Population Health Council meeting 
Minutes of meeting held on 24/9/08 by conference call at 0930  

 1.   Welcome & Apologies: Apologies were received from Alastair Kent, Mair Crouch & Stuart Hogarth. 

2.    BSHG Affiliation: This was discussed and the meeting was in favour of SGPPH becoming affiliated to the BSHG (who were enthusiastic about our affiliation).  The advantages included the fact that affiliation would place the Society on a more secure footing over the next 5 – 10 years; that it represented formal recognition of the Society by clinical geneticists; and that a formal place on the BSHG council would be gained.  The main disadvantage was that the increase in the size of subscription that would be involved (from £15 to £55) could deter non-geneticists, eg lawyers, from renewing their membership in future.  So there was a risk of losing about 15% of the current membership, although new members could be gained through BSHG affiliation.  One of the strengths of the Society was felt to be its multi-disciplinarity.  AH pointed out that 50% of the membership were members of the BSHG already.  A way round this problem of subscription could be to run 2 parallel memberships permanently, or for a limited period of time – say 2-3 years.  AH will write to Rob Elles to ascertain his definitive proposals on SGPPH’s affiliation and to find out if he or a colleague can attend the AGM to discuss the issue with members.  After this a poll of members could be taken.  Action: AH If the related issues of subscription fees for 09/10 could not be resolved by the AGM, then this could be decided in an extraordinary meeting later on.  

3.  SGPPH Events: It was felt that the SGPPH plenary at the BSHG08 conference went very well.  It was attended by many delegates, was well organised, had good speakers and interesting discussions. AH will chase the formal evaluation from Ruth Cole.  Action: AH 

3rd AGM: One speaker (A Newson) has dropped out so the programme has been re-structured to allow for this, with 1 speaker moved to the afternoon.  The timing of the business meeting has been increased to 1 1/4 hours, and hopefully will permit a short session discussing BSHG affiliation with one of their representatives.  The revised programme will be emailed to the council members.  Action: JL.  AH will check with Caroline Wright to see if she has informed the 2 speakers about the change in the programme.   She will also send out the Notice of the AGM to members today.  Action: AH 

Spring Meeting 2009: It was decided to base this on an ethical/legal/policy theme.  MH pointed out that an anti-genetic discrimination act would become law in May 09 in America, and considered that discussions should take place in the UK as a similar law could be proposed here.  AH noted that the HGC was calling for legislation in this area.  She will check on the progress of the Equality Bill, to see how the timing of the Spring meeting might fit in with the passage of this legislation.  Action: AH.  The timing of the meeting would be early/mid May (NB Perth trip during 1^st week of May for HB).  A venue in London would be sought.  Enquiries would be made at the ICH.  Action JL.   Another possibility might be the Law Society (or where IR attended a meeting 2 years ago).  Action: MH to look into this venue.  MH, IR, AH and LJ agreed to form a subcommittee for this meeting.  It may be appropriate to ask Mair Crouch to join it.  Possibly Carol George, a lawyer working at PHGF, could be co-opted on to the subcommittee, and the delegates at the AGM can be asked if any legally qualified members might like to help out on the subcommittee also.  Action: AH 

4. Succession Planning: None of the council members present indicated that they intended to resign.  However, it would be desirable to get 2-3 more council members in addition to the existing 9 this year, given that all the council members’ terms would expire next year (ie 3 year terms).  (However, they could re-apply to be a council member if they wished at that time.)  AH will email the membership to seek any volunteers and discuss this at the AGM.  It was considered that it would desirable to get an ethicist as a council member, in view of the impending Spring meeting.  Action: AH 

5. AOB: It was felt that the name ‘SGPPH’ was cumbersome and too long.  Possible alternatives might be GaPS (Genomics and Policy Society) or SGP / SoGAP (Society of Genomics and Policy).  Any name change could take place at the time of formal affiliation to BSHG when the website etc would have to be altered to align with those of the BSHG.            

J Lane 24.9.08