IUSM Postdoctoral Association

Inaugural Meeting Friday January 23, 2015

Meeting Agenda1. Opening Remarks and Introductions

2. Elect the PDA Board and discuss their roles– President – can be a shared position– Professional Development Committee Chair – International Committee Chair– Communications Committee Chair– Social Committee Chair

3. Establish a meeting schedule – Best day and time/month

4. Brainstorm ideas for the future

5. Draft a mission statement

6. Discuss plans and timeline to establish the Proposed By-Laws (by the Executive Board)

Why have a Postdoc Association?• Gain experience by taking a leadership role• To help other postdocs and get involved in the postdoc community• Meet new people and make professional contacts• Learn new skills (teamwork, project management); Build self confidence; Have fun • Engage in rewarding activities• Resume builder

• We want to:– Gain traction, so first goals should focus on positive issues– Set a few clear, achievable goals– Demonstrate what the PDA can bring to IUSM – focus on things that benefit

postdocs and others here

• Why?– Want to become established and make sure others see that this group has

benefit and real organization to gain more buy-in– Important to establish a positive and constructive stance with solution-based

attitude– Want to show benefit to all:

• Faculty – Better trained postdocs, positive recruitment tool• Postdocs – Many benefits including mentoring, career development, etc• Administration – Postdoc Alumni network, talent retention,

IUSM Postdoctoral Association AKA IUSM PDA

• ~ 200 postdocs at IUSM • PDA is a postdoc driven volunteer organization

• Purpose: To address the needs and concerns of the IUSM postdoctoral community by highlighting issues directly affecting postdocs

IUSM PDA Board• President - can be a shared position:

– (Co-)President, will be responsible for oversight of the PDA including setting the agenda and presiding over meetings, representing the PDA within and outside the university as well as other duties and responsibilities.

• Professional Development Committee Chair:– The Professional Development Committee will be responsible for providing professional

interaction and career development opportunities for IUSM postdocs.

• International Committee Chair:– The International Committee will serve as an informational resource for international

postdocs and work to enhance the international postdoctoral experience. This will include the management of a Postdoc Mentor/Buddy Program.

• Communications Committee Chair: – The Communications Committee will be responsible for decimating information to the IUSM

postdoctoral community including PDA meeting minutes, keeping the PDA informed of upcoming events etc. and other similar communications responsibilities.

• Social Committee Chair: – The Social Committee will be responsible for encouraging and facilitating social interaction

among postdocs at IUSM, and possibly surrounding local universities.

PDA Monthly Meeting Schedule

What is the best day/time to have the monthly meetings?

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8:00AM

9:00AM

10:00AM

11:00AM

12:00PM

1:00 PM

2:00PM

3:00PM

4:00PM

5:00PM

Ideas/Goals for the Future• Annual Postdoc Research Symposium

– To showcase the research of IUSM postdoctoral scholars– For example: Poster Session with 1st and 2nd place awards and oral

presentations

• Launch a Postdoc Welcome/Buddy system to welcome new postdocs – Collaboration with International Affairs, managed by International

Committee Chair

• Postdoc Appreciation Week– Assist with activities (in collaboration with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs)

• Establish connection with Midwest Postdoctoral Forum– Brings individual postdoc associations from 8 institutions including Iowa,

Kansas, Illinois together for regional cooperation and promotes communication and collaboration among the universities

Outline and draft a mission statement

– National Postdoctoral Association http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/about-the-npa-2/mission • The mission of the National Postdoctoral Association is to improve the postdoctoral experience

by supporting enhanced research training and a culture of enhanced professional growth to benefit scholarship and innovation.

– University of Wisconsin Madison Postdoctoral Association http://uwpa.wisc.edu/ • The mission of the UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association (UWPA) is to nurture a sense of

belonging and identity among the vibrant community of postdoctoral researchers at UW-Madison, to promote their incorporation into the research establishment, and encourage service to the community at large. The association will facilitate career and social development, and provide networking opportunities with the goal of fostering collaboration among scientists and other professionals.

– University of Colorado Boulder – Postdoctoral Association of Colorado http://pac.colorado.edu/about-pac • PAC's mission is to provide an environment that fosters professional advancement through

programming, support services, and networking opportunities for all Postdoctoral fellows. Through these activities, we as Postdocs will be better able to define our roles in the university and community, allowing us to become successful educators, researchers and professionals.

– The University of Chicago – Biological Sciences Division PDA http://www.bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu /• The mission of the PDA is to serve the Postdoctoral Fellows, Postdoctoral Scholars, Research

Associates and Medical Fellows of the University of Chicago by promoting their continued success in the research community and enhancing the quality of the postdoctoral experience for all participants.

IUSM PDA Proposed By-Laws• Executive Board will be responsible for drafting the proposed By-Laws to

determine how the PDA will be organized • Most include the following information:

– Article 1: Name – Article 2: Mission– Article 3: Membership

• Eligibility, Rights and Obligations

– Article 4: Governing Board, Officers, Terms of Office and Duties OR Executive Council• Eligibility, Rights and Obligations - Executive Board and Steering Committee

– Article 5: Elections and Impeachments– Article 6: Voting– Article7: Standing Committees– Article 8: Amendments– Article 9: Faculty Advisement– Article 10: Dissolution– Article 11: Applicability and Ratification of these Bylaws

• Examples :– Simpler, direct version - UW Madison: http://uwpa.wisc.edu/bylaws.htm – More detailed version – Harvard :

http://www.hms.harvard.edu/pda/documents/PDA_Bylaws(v20040401).pdf