ASC WA Christmas Party and AGM

Posted on 3 December 2012 by sarahlau

If you are in WA, come down to the City Beach Surf Club this Thursday evening for the ASC WA Christmas Party, incorporating the AGM.

Please RSVP at www.ASCWAChristmas2012.EventBrite.com.

When: Thursday 6 December 2012

Where: City Beach Surf Club (Balcony), Challenger Parade, City Beach

Time: 5.45pm AGM and 6.30pm Sundowner

Woodfired oven with a Personal Chef
ALL YOU CAN EAT: Entree pizzas, main pizzas (vegetarian, meat, chicken and seafood) and dessert pizzas (GLUTEN FREE pizzas bases upon request)
First drink FREE

ASC WA Members: FREE

Non-Members: $15.00

Book/RSVP at www.ASCWAChristmas2012.EventBrite.com

For more information, contact:

asc.events.wa@gmail.com

website: www.asc.asn.au

Appointing a proxy for ASC AGM 2012

Posted on 20 November 2012 by sarahlau

Proxy Instructions

Members unable to attend the AGM in person are able to give proxies to other members attending the meeting. As there are two matters of business that require specific instructions, it is important that members wishing to designate a proxy observe the following points:

Download and complete the proxy form, and ensure a copy of this form is with their proxy to take to the AGM
- Check one box only in the Presidential vote
- Check one box only for the proposed Constitutional amendment
- If you do not provide voting instructions in these sections, you authorise the proxy holder to decide how the proxy will vote
- Notify the National Secretary, Sarah Lau (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au) or National President, Jesse Shore (jesse@prismaticsciences.com) of their proxy
- Ensure that the proxy form is completed prior to 5.00pm AEDST on Tuesday 27 November 2012

Please note that the Presidential election is a secret ballot and instructions and votes will remain confidential at all times. All voting instructions and proxy forms will be collected and destroyed at the conclusion of the AGM.

Download the proxy form here: Appointment of Proxy.

Presidential Nominations – ASC AGM 2012

Posted on 20 November 2012 by sarahlau

Presidential Nominations – ASC AGM 2012

The National Executive is pleased to announce there are two nominations for the position of National President of Australian Science Communicators for the upcoming AGM: Dr Rod Lamberts and Assoc Prof Nancy Longnecker.

Please find below nomination statements from the two candidates. Note that members who have designated proxies can now indicate how they will vote in the Presidential election. The protocol and form for nominating proxies and voting instructions can be found here: http://wp.me/p1Zzkn-ep6.

Dr Rod Lamberts

Rod.lamberts@anu.edu.au

Hi Folks,

I present here two broad, big-picture visions I have for the ASC should I be elected to role of president for 2013, and also a very brief bio focusing on elements of my experience to help you judge my capacity to deliver.

If you want to quiz me on details or would like additional information, I’d be more than happy to oblige!

Cheers for now,

Rod

What I have in mind

Professionalizing the ASC

The public profile of science communication is the highest it’s ever been, and this trend shows no sign of reversing. With the L’Aquila earthquake case in Italy and the re-emergence of ASC-list discussions about instigating a code of conduct/ practice/ ethics, it is clearly time to reflect on what the ASC is now, and how it should evolve.

To that end, a major goal I would have as president would be to initiate the discussions and negotiations that would lead to the ASC becoming a professionalized body. This would include instituting a code of practice/conduct/ethics (and all that entails) and re-visiting the idea of the ASC becoming an accrediting body for both practitioners and training (a discussion I believe Jenni Metcalfe kicked-off during her presidential years).

This process would also involve exploring the nature and perceived benefits of ASC membership among existing ASCers, and identifying how we might extend the appeal of ASC membership to broader audiences.

Profile, position, partnerships (and prestige!)

Intimately entwined with professionalizing the ASC is raising the profile and prestige of the organization, and through that, the profile and prestige of its members. I believe that the ASC would benefit from increasing its public visibility as an organization, and also its strategic partnerships with relevant associations and institutions. Jesse Shore’s successes in getting formal ASC involvement in Inspiring Australia projects has been a pivotal early step in doing this, and something I believe should be nurtured and expended.

I would also like to see the ASC making regular, public comment on matters that are pertinent to its goals and its members, and this in ways that raise the public profile of science communication still further. We need to start speaking-up as an association and not just rely on the efforts of individual members.

Could I do the job?

As the Chair/Convener of the 2012 ASC Conference, I have already demonstrated I can work successfully and effectively with the ASC council and executive.
I have a 15 year history working specifically in science communication in Australia and the region. Two highlights of this are my current roles as:

Deputy director of the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at the ANU
Consultant to UNESCO on science communication and science and public policy

I’ve been delivering training in general communication or science communication for nearly 20 years and have been designing and convening university programs in science communication since 2000. I have also been conducting and supervising science communication research projects since 1998, a journey that began with my PhD research in science communication at the ANU.
I have a solid and continuously growing public presence commenting and advising on science, science communication and science policy matters. Examples of these can be found on The Conversation, a number of ABC sites (e.g., The Drum, ABC science), and in numerous radio and newspaper interviews over the last few years.
Finally, I have a large national and international network of well-established scientists, science communicators, government and policy professionals, and academics.

Assoc Prof Nancy Longnecker

nancy.longnecker@uwa.edu.au

I ask for your support in the opportunity and challenge of working as ASC President in 2013. This post describes my vision and what I would bring to the role.

It is an exciting time to be a science communicator. Science communication is receiving wider recognition as a profession and as an academic discipline both nationally and internationally. A window of opportunity exists to increase the professionalisation of our field. This will lead to greater respect for the skills and expertise that are necessary to communicate science well. Appropriate valuing of science communication as a suite of skilled activities will see science communicators participating more often in strategic development in all stages and at all levels of science and technology projects. Development of a code of ethics for ASC is timely as it will assist the definition and valuing of what we do.

I was a science communicator before I had heard the term, becoming an official science communication enthusiast after attending the inspiring international PCST conference in Melbourne in 1996. I have been an active member of ASC ever since, serving as President of the WA branch and branch representative with the national ASC Council from 2004 to 2007 and ASC-VP in 2005.

ASC represents professionals in many areas – in corporate communications, informal education, science media and more. This is a challenge for ASC as our members have diverse needs. But diverse membership is also one of the strengths of ASC and provides the chance for members to network and benefit from a range of expertise and multiple perspectives. My work experiences include volunteer, professional and academic science communication. I was a science communicator with one of the earliest CRCs (CLIMA, from 1994- 2002, known for its creative approaches to science communication) and Associate Professor of science communication (UWA, 2002 – present).

I currently coordinate UWA’s academic science communication program and have been a driving force in it. Within a decade, the UWA program has grown to become one of the major academic programs in Australasia, providing postgraduate coursework and research and an undergraduate major in science communication.

Previous presidents and national councils have worked hard over many years to position ASC well. Science communication is being increasingly recognised as valuable activities that benefit science and society. We are in a good place to influence the field positively for ourselves and for future professionals.

AGM 2012 – Official Notification and Papers

Posted on 6 November 2012 by sarahlau

This is the official notice of the Australian Science Communicators’ Annual General Meeting, to be held in Brisbane, Queensland, on 27 November 2012.

The AGM is being hosted by the ASC Queensland Branch. The AGM will be followed by a Science Trivia Night, hosted by compere extraordinaire and science all-rounder David Ellyard.

What: Science Trivia Night and National AGM

When: Tuesday 27 November, AGM will run from 6-7pm. Trivia will kick off at 7.30pm

Where: Ship Inn, Southbank

Bookings: Please book your tickets at http://brisciquiz2012.eventbrite.com.au

ASC members: free (Only currently financial ASC members are eligible to attend the AGM)

Non-members: $10 (Quiz Night only)

Non-member students: $5 (Quiz Night only)

Registration: http://brisciquiz2012.eventbrite.com.au

The ASC AGM will run from 6.00-7:15pm and is open to ASC voting members only. The quiz night for all registered participants will begin at 7:30pm sharp in the upstairs function room. Seats are limited so registration is essential.

The seating is 8 people per table. To confirm the members of your table, please email seqasc@gmail.com.

Members also have the chance to elect a new National President. Proposed agenda items, notices of motion and presidential nominations must be received by Tuesday 20 November 2012 and can be sent to Sarah Lau, National Secretary (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au).

Note that notices of motion require a proposer and a seconder, and nominations for President need to be agreed by the nominee.

Members unable to attend the AGM in person are able to give proxies to other members attending the meeting, or alternatively, send them to Sarah Lau, National Secretary (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au) before 5.00pm AEDST on Tuesday 27 November 2012. Please indicate in your email any voting instructions you wish to convey.

Proxies must be:

Given in writing (email is sufficient),
Notified to the Secretary (even if the proxy is given to someone else), and
Given with the agreement of the proxy holder.

The following items are current as of 5 November 2012:

2012 AGM agenda, 6-11-12

Corporate Membership amendment 2012, version5-11-12

ASC AGM 2011 Minutes-Final-Draft-Web

WA Event – Communicating Space

Posted on 5 July 2012 by sarahlau

19 July 2012
4:30 pm	to	8:00 pm
4:30 pm	to	8:00 pm

Communicating Space

It’s one of the hottest topics in science at the moment – space. As seen by the recent public interest in the Square Kilometre Array bid and visit to Australia by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, people are hungry for more information on life, the Universe and everything.

So what are the challenges of ‘communicating space’ to the many and varied interest groups? How do you engage the general public in a ‘far out’ topic? And how can we translate these insights and initiatives to other fields of science?

Join our expert panel to hear more about the challenges and rewards of science communication in the astronomy and astrophysics fields, and ask your own burning questions.

This event will include a 15 minute live presentation in Horizon – The Planetarium.

Our panel

Carley Tillett – Manager at Horizon – The Planetarium
Pete Wheeler – Manager, Outreach and Education at ICRAR, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
Dr Wiebke Ebeling – Education and Outreach Coordinator at CAASTRO, the ARC Centre of Excellence for All-Sky Astrophysics

Thursday 19 July
6.30pm – 8.30pm
Horizon – the Planetarium at Scitech

Refreshments provided

Free for ASC members, $10 for non-members, $5 for students – please register at Eventbrite
http://communicatingspace.eventbrite.com.au

Official notice of Australian Science Communicators’ Annual General Meeting, Perth, WA

Posted on 9 November 2011 by sarahlau

30 November 2011
6:00 pm	to	9:30 pm

This is the official notice of the Australian Science Communicators’ Annual General Meeting, to be held in Perth, Western Australia, on 30 November 2011. The AGM is being hosted by the ASC WA Branch. The AGM will be followed by an interactive science quiz night hosted by compere extraordinaire David Ellyard.

Date: Wednesday 30 November 2011
Time: 6.00pm-7.15pm (ASC AGM), 7.30pm – 9.30pm (Science Quiz Night)
Venue: Rosie O’Grady’s, Cnr James & Milligan St, Northbridge, WA
ASC members: free (Only currently financial ASC members are eligible to attend the AGM)
Non-members: $10
Non member students: $5

Registration: http://ascnationalagm2011.eventbrite.com

The ASC AGM will run from 6.00-7:15pm in the Cab Bar and is open to ASC voting members only. The quiz night for all registered participants will begin at 7:30pm sharp in the Cab Bar.

Seats are limited so registration is essential. The seating is 6 people per table. To confirm the members of your table, please email asc.events.wa@gmail.com.

The AGM is an opportunity for members to hear about the year’s events at the national level, and also to have their say about what should happen in the year to come. It also includes reports from the President and Treasurer, and news of the upcoming national conference. Members also have the chance to elect a new National President. Proposed agenda items, notices of motion and presidential nominations must be received by Wednesday 23 November.

Note that notices of motion require a proposer and a seconder, and nominations for President need to be agreed by the nominee.

Minutes from the ASC AGM 2010, Adelaide, SA

AGENDA (as of 9 November 2011)

1. Confirmation of members attending, apologies
2. Notification of proxies
3. Minutes of 2010 AGM
4. President’s report
5. Treasurer’s report
a) presentation of statement of accounts
b) determination of annual membership fee
c) determination of capitation to be returned to branches
d) determination of honoraria
e) appointment of auditor
f) appointment of public officer
g) preview of 2011 budget
6. Election of 2012 ASC President
7. Motions to amend the Constitution
8. Any other business

Motion to change the ASC Constitution – for ASC AGM 2011

1. Motion to change the Constitution – Motion made by Jesse Shore and seconded by Rob Morrison. We propose the constitution is amended as follows:

[The proposed change to the wording in the revised clause is underlined.] [Definition from clause 2.9: “Association” means Australian Science Communicators Incorporated.]

Section 5.4 of the constitution – ‘BRANCHES’

Current wording:

5.4.2

Branches may have their own constitutions, but wherever any discrepancy exists, the Constitution of the Association shall prevail.

Proposed new wording

5.4.2

Branches may have their own rules or constitutions, but wherever any discrepancy exists, the Constitution of the Association shall prevail.

Reason for proposed amendment:
This minor change in wording acknowledges that the ASC branches, which are unincorporated bodies, are more likely to have their own rules than constitutions.
We want the branches to be aware they have the right to have rules and to encourage them to adopt rules if they haven’t done so already. The new wording still allows for branches to have constitutions and makes it clear that whether they have rules or constitutions, the Constitution of the Association is the overriding document.

ASC WA Event – Behind the Scenes at WA Museum

Posted on 19 October 2011 by sarahlau

25 October 2011
4:30 pm	to	5:45 pm

Apologies for the short notice. Please register your attendance at http://ascwamuseum.eventbrite.com/

The Australian Science Communicators WA Branch and the Western Australian Museum would like to invite you to a tour of WA Museum Collection and Resource Centre at Welshpool.

When: Tuesday 25 October
Time: 4.30pm – 5.45pm
Where: WA Museum, Kew Street, Welshpool (corner of Orrong Road and Leach Hwy)

The event will include an overview of the WA Museum and its science program by Di Jones, Executive Director, Collections and Research.

Participants will then go on a tour of the Collection and Resource Centre (CRC) with Mark Harvey (Head of Terrestrial Zoology), Alex Bevan (Head of Earth & Planetary Sciences) and Jane Fromont (Head of Aquatic Zoology).

This will be followed by refreshments and networking.

Cost: Free for ASC members, $10 for non-members

Further information – ASC National AGM

Posted on 6 December 2010 by sarahlau

Dear ASCers,

As if you needed further encouragement to join us for the National AGM! There will be a free drink for members and partners on arrival at the AGM and interactive quiz night, along with nibbles. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible!

Date: Monday 13 December 2010

Time: 6.00pm-7.15pm (ASC AGM), 7.30pm – 9.30pm (Interactive Quiz Night)

Venue: RiAus, Science Exchange, Exchange Place, Adelaide

Cost: RiAus and ASC members: free (Please note, only current ASC members are eligible to attend the AGM), Non members: $10, Non member students: $5

Registration: http://ascnationalagmsa2010.eventbrite.com

Attendance and proxies

Thank you to those who have indicated they are attending the AGM, or have sent proxies. If you want to attend the AGM, please email Sarah Lau (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au) so we have a rough idea of numbers. If you have not yet designated a proxy, you are welcome to also send through an email to Sarah Lau. Proxies must be received by 5pm AEDST on Monday 13 December.

Clarification – amendment to the Constitution

Further to the email circulated regarding proposed changes to the ASC Constitution, it is noted that we currently have two Corporate Members. (In the original email, it was unclear as to whether there were current Corporate Members or not.)

Nominations for President

To date we have received one nomination for President – Dr Jesse Shore. (Nominated by Dr Nancy Longnecker and seconded by Sarah Lau.) Jesse’s biography is outlined below. Any further nominations must be received by 5pm AEDST on Monday 13 December.

Jesse Shore is the current ASC president. In 2010 the ASC raised its profile and influence by aligning a number of its activities with the recommendations in Inspiring Australia. Jesse sees continued benefits for ASC in 2011 through implementing several of the proposed strategies relating to Inspiring Australia, which he recently circulated to members. He will continue to have the ASC seek working relationships with like-minded professional associations and organisations. Jesse regularly asks for contributions from members on ASC related issues and opportunities and he will continue to do so. In 2011 Jesse wants to ensure procedures are in place to enable the conference planning committee to make good progress toward developing the national conference for 2012.

Jesse has over 27 years of experience as a science communicator. Currently he works through his business, Prismatic Sciences, to develop science-based programs for various audiences and media. From 1984 through 2008 he worked at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney where he was an exhibition project leader during the building of the museum and then Senior Curator of sciences for 21 years. While at the museum he created, directed and promoted a wide range of science exhibitions and events and in 2006 was one of the founders of the Ultimo Science Festival, a major National Science Week activity. Jesse was involved with National Science Week events and organising committees from 1997 through 2008 and chaired the 2001 NSWk NSW Coordinating Committee. He has been an active member of the Australian Science Communicators for many years and headed the program committee for the national conference held at the Powerhouse in 2001.

Sarah Lau

ASC National Secretary

slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au

From: asc-list-bounces@lists.asc.asn.au [mailto:asc-list-bounces@lists.asc.asn.au] On Behalf Of Sarah Lau Sent: Friday, 19 November 2010 3:39 PM To: asc-list@lists.asc.asn.au Subject: [ASC-list] Official AGM Notification

This is the official notice of the Australian Science Communicator Annual General Meeting, to be held in Adelaide, South Australia, on the 13 December 2010. The AGM is being hosted by the ASC SA Branch and RiAus. The AGM This will be followed by an interactive quiz night co-hosted by compere extraordinaire David Ellyard and featuring special guest Dr Zoz Brooks from the Discovery Channel.

Date: Monday 13 December 2010

Time: 6.00pm-7.15pm (ASC AGM), 7.30pm – 9.30pm (Interactive Quiz Night)

Venue: RiAus, Science Exchange, Exchange Place, Adelaide

Cost: RiAus and ASC members: free (Please note, only current ASC members are eligible to attend the AGM), Non members: $10, Non member students: $5

Registration: http://ascnationalagmsa2010.eventbrite.com

The ASC AGM will run from 6-7:15pm in the RiAus boardroom, and is open to ASC voting members only. If you’re not able to vote, you can start the party early as the bar will be open from 6pm to enjoy a drink and have a chat with Zoz Brooks. The quiz night for all registered participants will begin at 7:30pm sharp in the auditorium; the bar will be open throughout the night. Seats are limited so registration is essential.

Participants will be allocated table numbers to promote networking; seating requests are welcome (email richard.musgrove@sa.gov.au).

The AGM is an opportunity for members to hear about the year’s events at the national level, and also to have their say about what should happen in the year to come. It also includes reports from the President and Treasurer, and this year will feature proposed changes to the ASC constitution. Members also have the chance to elect a new National President.

Included below as text is the agenda for the AGM.

Proposed agenda items, notices of motion and presidential nominations must be received by Monday 6 December. Note that notices of motion require a proposer and a seconder, and nominations for President need to be agreed by the nominee.

AGENDA

1. Confirmation of members attending, apologies

2. Notification of proxies

3. Minutes of 2009 AGM

4. President’s report

5. Treasurer’s report

a) presentation of statement of accounts

b) determination of annual membership fee

c) determination of capitation to be returned to branches

d) determination of honoraria

e) appointment of auditor

f) appointment of public officer

g) tabling of 2010 budget

6. Election of 2011 ASC President

7. Motions to amend the Constitution

8. Motion to ratify selection of Life member

9. Any other business

Note: Proposed constitutional changes and minutes from the 2009 AGM will be circulated in a separate email to the ASC-list.

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Australian Science Communicators

The national forum for science communicators and science journalists

Author Archives: sarahlau

ASC WA Christmas Party and AGM

Appointing a proxy for ASC AGM 2012

Presidential Nominations – ASC AGM 2012

AGM 2012 – Official Notification and Papers

WA Event – Communicating Space

ASC WA Event – Behind the Scenes at WA Museum

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