Message from the Chair
Charles H. Page
This is my first message as DNB Chair. As neurobiologists, we owe a great deal to our
Past Chair, David Prior, for the crucial role that he has played in establishing DNB as a
forum for neurobiologists within SICB. Largely as a result of his efforts, DNB is
available as a forum for all SICB members interested in neurobiology. I would like to
thank David for his stewardship of DNB and look forward to his continuing contributions as
DNB strives to attain the maturity of the other divisions of the SICB. Thank you, David.
As the new Chair of DNB, I am grateful that Drs. Kiisa Nishikawa and Rich Satterlie
have agreed to continue in the positions of Secretary and Program Officer. Their
experience and insight will be invaluable as we work together for the continued
development of DNB.
Perhaps our most important goal is to enhance the impact of DNB at the SICB Annual
Meeting. To accomplish this, we need to establish scientifically exciting programs that
will attract investigators and students, to exchange ideas with their peers and present
the results of their research. Accordingly, beginning with the SICB 1998 Annual Meeting in
Boston, DNB will sponsor an award of $100 for the Best Student Oral or Poster Presentation
in neurobiology. We have also begun to plan for the first DNB-sponsored symposium at the
SICB 1999 Annual Meeting in Denver.
If you have other suggestions for developing DNB, please let me know. It is not too
early to start thinking of possible themes for symposia for the Annual Meeting in 2000.
Please bring your ideas to Boston or send them (via e-mail or phone) to me.
We need several volunteers at the SICB 1998 Annual Meeting in Boston to help evaluate
student presentations for the DNB Award for Excellence in Neurobiological Research. I also
need volunteers to serve as DNB representatives on the SICB Public Affairs Committee
(1997-99), and the SICB Graduate Student Support Committee. If you are interested please
contact me (e-mail or phone).
Finally, a copy of the proposed bylaws for the DNB is attached below for your comment.
This draft was prepared in consultation with Kiisa Nishikawa, David Prior and Rich
Satterlie. It will be brought before the membership for approval at the Annual Meeting.
I am looking forward to meeting many of you in Boston.
Division of Neurobiology
Divisional Bylaws
(Proposed February 1997)
The proposed bylaws will be brought before the membership for approval at the SICB 1998
Annual Meeting in Boston, January 3-7, 1998.
Article I. Name and Purpose
Section 1. Name
The official name of this division of the SICB shall be "The Division of
Neurobiology" hereafter called "Division."
Section 2. Purpose
The study of neurobiology is basic to theoretical and empirical biology. The purpose of
this Division shall be to advance, coordinate and assist research and publication of this
subject, and to act as a liaison between workers in the various scientific fields
involved.
Section 3. Organization
Election and terms of officers of the Division of Neurobiology and the naming and
administration of standing committees will be governed by the Constitution and Bylaws of
SICB.
Article II.
Section 1.
Any member of the SICB may become a member of the Division of Neurobiology without payment
of additional dues.
Article III. Administrative Organization
Section 1. Officers
The officers of the Division shall be a Chair, Secretary and Program Officer. The Chair,
Secretary and Program Officer shall be elected for a term of one year and shall be
eligible for re-election, except that the Chair shall not serve more than two terms.
Elections for each of these offices shall occur individually and in consecutive years.
Section 2. Elections
Election of officers shall be by mail ballot of the Division. The names of candidates for
offices shall be published in advance of a mail ballot. All officers shall assume the
duties of their office following the annual Division business meeting.
Section 3. Nominations for Chair
Nominations for the office of Chair will be solicited by the Division officers. At least
two candidates for the position shall be named. Candidates for Chair must be members in
good standing of SICB.
Section 4. Nominations for Secretary and Program Officer
Nominations for the offices of Secretary and Program Officer shall be prepared by a
Nominating Committee appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Division Executive
Committee. At least two candidates for each office shall be named, and all candidates must
be members in good standing of SICB.
Section 5. Nominations by Petition
Candidates for elected offices may be nominated by petition. Candidates nominated by
petition must be members in good standing of SICB. A petition for additional nominations
for any office may be made in writing to the Secretary by 10 members of the Division prior
to March 15.
Section 6. Executive Committee
In intervals between meetings, the management of the Division shall be vested in an
Executive Committee consisting of the elected officers of the Division.
Section 7. Newsletter
Officers of the Division of Neurobiology shall prepare materials regularly for the SICB
Newsletter.
Section 8. Committees
Special committees may be authorized by the Executive Committee and shall be appointed by
the Chair for one year. The Executive Committee should review the need for such committees
as appropriate.
Section 9. Finances
The necessary expenses of the Division shall be disbursed from the treasury of the SICB,
but in no year shall the total expenses of the Division exceed the amount specified by
SICB. The Division budget shall be prepared and submitted by the Chair in consultation
with the Executive Officer of SICB and the Division officers.
Article IV. Duties of the Officers
Section 1. Chair
The Chair shall preside at the business meeting of the Division, shall be responsible for
the program and meetings of the Division, and shall promote in every practical way the
interests of the Division. The Chair shall represent the Division on the Executive
Committee of SICB.
Section 2. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the records of the Division, request and prepare materials for
SICB newsletters, and shall perform such other duties as may be necessary and/or assigned.
The Secretary shall assume the duties of the Chair whenever that person is absent or
unable to act.
Section 3. Program Officer
The Program Officer shall solicit and arrange programs for meetings of the Division and
shall coordinate special programs with the Program Officer of SICB. The Program Officer
shall substitute for the Chair in the event that both the Chair and Secretary are unable
to act.
Article V. Meetings of the Division
Section 1. Business Meeting
A business meeting of the Division of Neurobiology shall be held at least once a year in
conjunction with the SICB Annual Meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Division meetings may be held at other times and places on call of the Chair or when
requested in writing by petition of 10 Division members in good standing. Notice shall be
sent to each member of the Division sixty (60) days in advance of any such meeting.
Article VI. Amendments to the Bylaws
Section 1.
Proposed amendments to the Division Bylaws may be originated by the Executive Committee or
by the members of the Division. Division Bylaws may be amended by at least two-thirds vote
of the members of the Division present at any Annual Meeting of the Division or by at
least two-thirds votes of the members responding to a mail ballot. Proposed amendments
receiving at least two-thirds votes in the affirmative become effective 15 days after the
ballots are counted.
Article VII. Cooperation
Section 1.
The Division of Neurobiology shall make every effort to coordinate its programs and
activities with those of the Society for Neuroscience whenever such coordination and
cooperation is in the best interests of the field of neurobiology and therefore of both
SICB and the Society for Neuroscience.