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The Society for Genomics Policy and Population Health Council meeting
Minutes of meeting held on 5/03/09 by conference call at 0930 | Present | Apologies | Layla Jader (Chair)
Hilary Burton
Alison HallJane Lane
Stuart Hogarth
Alison Harvey
Alison Metcalfe
David Melzer | Alastair Kent
Imran Rafi
Michael Hopkins |
1. Welcome & Apologies
Apologies were received from A Kent, I Rafi and M Hopkins.
2. BSHG Affiliation
- BSHG will ratify SGPPH’s affiliation at its AGM at the end of August.
- As regards subscriptions: AH thought that BSHG would collect a 6 monthly subscription from October 2009 for SGPPH members who were also members of BSHG. It was not sure if the agreed transitional year with a £15 subscription for non-members would extend until 2010 or 2011. Action: AH to contact R Cole to clarify this matter.
- Name change: After discussion the best option for a new name for the Society was considered to be “Genomics & Health Policy Society” (GHPS). Action: AH to circulate this option to all Council members, and a decision to be taken by email.
3. SGPPH Events
i) Spring Meeting:
- This will take place on 3 June in London on the theme of genes and their wider implications. 6 speakers had been engaged, including Sir D Weatherall and Lord N Patel. The Council approved the draft programme and flyer previously circulated; however the 2 sessions were to be renamed ‘Morning’ and ‘Afternoon’ sessions on the programme. Action: JL
- It was decided to try to structure the discussions to an extent, with the 3 session speakers remaining on a ‘top table’ for their session’s discussion slot. If the powerpoints could be gained well in advance, some questions and topics for discussion could be drafted up. Action: HB and JL (to get presentations in advance).
- Ideas for publicity included the Wellcome Trust, BSHG (and their newsletter). Action: JL. A Metcalfe would inform various nursing groups. Action AM.
ii) BSHG Conference
- It was decided to submit an abstract of a poster based on the Spring Conference. AH and AM to liaise to make the submission. Action: AH, AM.
- Contributions: AH will contact Eamonn Maher to ask if SGPPH can contribute via a lecture, lunch time meeting, session etc and let the Council know. Action AH.
iii) 4th AGM
- It was decided to birdcage the Council for a date in early November and look to book a venue in London ASAP. Action: JL
- Theme: D Melzer suggested a theme based on the heritability, and the emerging evidence for the relative importance of SNPs, copy number variants, epigenetics etc. The Council decided to consider the theme further and search for any conflicting conferences in November. Action: ALL. AH would email them to gather their ideas. It was hoped to decide on a theme by email over the next 2 weeks, after which a subcommittee would be formed and meetings commenced. Action AH
4. Succession Planning
- AH detailed that the term of office of 5 Council members (IR, MH, HB, AH and AK) would expire in November 2009 (as they would have served for 3 years by then). However, it was possible to extend by another term (ie to serve for 3 more years) if these Council members desired. These Council members were asked to consider their decision in this matter. Action: IR, MH, HB, AK - AH said that she would continue as a Council member but did not wish to continue as Secretary after November. She asked for other Council members to consider over the coming months if they could take up this role. Action: ALL. It was felt to be useful if AH could provide more information on what the role of Secretary entailed. Action: AH
- As LJ had only been ratified as President at the end of 2008, she would be eligible to continue as president for another year from November 2009, which she agreed to do.
5. AOB
- The next meeting would be held in the latter half of June by telephone conference call. Action: JL to birdcage and set date/time.
- SGPPH’s relationship with PHG Foundation was discussed. PHGF had supported the Society financially and administratively in the past. This support would reduce in future, as the BSHG took over some administrative tasks after affiliation. However, it was felt that the Society was not yet mature enough to function independently of the PHG Foundation. It was decided to continue as currently during the transitional phase of the next 2 years. During this time the following would occur:
- HB would clarify with the BSHG the relationship of SGPPH with PHGF to avoid more confusion. Action: HB.
- Other affiliated societies would be contacted to ascertain how they deal with admin and financial support issues. Action: JL
- Other potential sources of revenue would be considered. Action: ALL
- The admin time spent on SGPPH would be recorded over a 3 month period so that this aspect could be better assessed. Action: AH, JL
J Lane 05.03.09 |
