Dear MA AWIS members,
 
MA AWIS needs you!!  At last night's business meeting, we brainstormed ideas for programming for the 2006 year.  We are proud to say that every program we set forth to accomplish in 2005 was completed!  Please find below some ideas for monthly programming.  And remember that these events are for YOU, so feedback is very important!  Let us know about specific programming that is relevant to you.  I know some people couldn't attend yesterday's meeting but are interested in helping, so just drop me an email.
 
For last years programming, volunteers (usually 2-3 people per event) chose a particular event that interested them and handled the planning.  We'd like to do the same for the upcoming year.  So take a look at the ideas below for programming, and let Rebecca Pitts (rlp@...) know which event you can help with.  You won't need to plan the whole event alone.  For instance, if you know someone who would be a great speaker for a Sharing Science event but don't have a location, we can work together on that.  Or if you have a good venue, but no speaker, we can help with that.  Now that the chapter has some money, and a few locations we can use for events, we can plan a great year for 2006!!!

Finally, we are forming two committees to organize efforts to support girls and women in their science endeavors.  First, a committee to work on outreach programs for middle and high school girls.  Second, a committee to work on mentoring and career development programs for women scientists early in their careers.  Please contact us if you are interested in these efforts!
 
Happy Holidays!
-Rebecca
 
 
MA AWIS 2006 PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (very early draft)
 
January – Sharing Science night (industry-focused with small tour??)
 
February – modarated panel discussion (potential topics- work/life balance, career choices)
 
March – book club discussion (potential titles "The Door in the Dream" by Elga Wasserman, "Reviving Ophelia", "Through a Window" by Jane Goodall), over dinner or wine tasting
 
April – Sharing Science, current graduate students can present their work, maybe joint program with GWIS??
 
May – speaker from Science Club for Girls/Whiz Kids to talk about their program and how MA AWIS can get involved
 
June – potential hosting of national AWIS board meeting (more details on this to come)
 
July & August – summer break
 
September – speaker, Lotte Bailyn, joint event with GWIS
 
October – career discusion/panel night
 
November – business meeting/board elections
 
December – holiday party??
 
***Note:  almost all events are flexible, we can change dates around.  Only two events (june and sept) will need to take place in those months.
 
 
Rebecca Pitts
Applications Scientist
Clinical Proteomics
Bruker Daltonics Inc.
40 Manning Rd.
Billerica, MA  01821
(978) 663-3660 x1026
rlp@...