December 22, 2023
ABRF Colleagues,
I'm pleased to share the following summary of the Executive Board's two recent meetings this month. Feel free to contact me or any member of the Executive Board if you have any questions or suggestions.
Happy Holidays,
Marie
ABRF Executive Board Meeting Summary
December 2023
The ABRF Executive Board met on December 7 and 14, 2023 and would like to share this summary of their decisions:
1. 2024 Budget
The Executive Board reviewed and approved the updated ABRF budget for 2024 at $1.525 million, which includes net revenue of $4,000 (excluding Chapter activities). The updated budget includes funds for DEIB training, strategic planning expertise, freelance science writing services, and initial costs to assist with ABRF grant readiness.
2. ABRF Strategic Plan Update for Goals 3 and 4
The Executive Board worked collaboratively to review and update the strategies and annual success measures for Goals 3 and 4 of the current Strategic Plan. A revised version will be prepared and circulated for review.
3. Expert Assistance for Next ABRF Strategic Plan
The Executive Board had previously narrowed options for assistance with the next ABRF Strategic Plan to two qualified groups. Following a discussion, the Executive Board approved moving forward with Vista Cova to assist with the next Strategic Plan, and to begin the work following the 2024 Annual Meeting.
4. Grant Writing Assistance Options
To support future grant writing activities, ABRF compiled proposals from qualified grant writers. The Executive Board reviewed the qualifications, experience, and proposed approaches for each group and agreed to work with Jill Fuller and Full Circle Proposals to develop ABRF's grant readiness resources and advise on strategies to pursue grant funding opportunities.
. ABRF Executive Board Election Results
Jane Srivastava and Joe Dragavon were selected as the new members of the ABRF Executive Board. They will be invited to join the Board meetings as observers beginning in January and start their 3-year terms following the 2024 Annual Meeting.
6. Research Groups/Committees Issues Updates
The Board approved a request to extend the current GBIRG study for one year, with no additional funds required. The Communications Committee reported that plans for the new ABRF web site are on track, with an initial launch scheduled for mid-January. All Research Groups and Committees have been requested to review and update their online content for the new site. Among the specific updates, the Board noted CCoRRe's recent application for a prize through the NINDS Challenge.gov initiative which recognizes individuals and teams who are enhancing rigor and reproducibility. The Executive Board also confirmed approval of the DEIB Council's recommendation to present the ABRF DEIB Award to Feather Ives at the University of California, Berkeley at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
7. FASEB Update
The Executive Board discussed a report from ABRF FASEB Board representative Nick Ambulos on the recent FASEB "summit" to discuss the organization's future direction and structure, specifically the current trends and issues related to scientific meetings and publishing. Nick reported that the discussions were positive and collaborative, focusing on how member societies can work together. Prior plans to consolidate the FASEB structure have been put on hold. A follow-up meeting is planned for March 2024 to continue the review.
8. Preliminary ABRF "Presidential" Role Descriptions
This topic was deferred until the next meeting to allow Executive Board members more time to review and comment on the draft role descriptions for the ABRF President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past-President.
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Ken Schoppmann
ABRF
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