FDA Chapter of Sigma XI
The Scientific Research Society

Newsletter: January 3, 2003

1. Report on National Sigma Xi Meeting
   
   Summary by the President, FDA Chapter Sigma Xi.
   
   Thank you so much for giving me the honor of being your chapter President and therefore your delegate to my first National Sigma Xi meeting. I attended "Changing the Face of Engineering and Science" meeting on November 15-17, 2002 in Galveston Island, Texas. I represented our chapter in both the Regional Assembly and in the Contingency Group Assembly. In the regional assembly our Chapter is in the MA or Mid-Atlantic Region and in the contingency assembly our Chapter is in the MI (or Multi-institutional that include Industry, State and Government Labs). Other contingency groups are BC (Baccalaureate Colleges), CI (Canadian/International), CM (Comprehensive Colleges & Universities and RD (Research & Doctoral Universities).
   
   Business included:
   
   
   • Select next President elect.
     
     
   • National Sigma Xi President for 2003 is Dr. Peter Raven, Director of the Missouri Botanical Gardens.
     
     
   • Special lecture. Dr. Mario Molina, Nobel laureate, spoke to us about the ozone depletion theory and its effect on the local and global environment.
     
     
   • Executive Director for Sigma Xi Selected. After an extensive search, Dr. Pat Sculley, former Deputy Surgeon General for the Army is the new CEO. His experience in strategic planning, financial management, facilities and construction working with scientists and professional associations will be valuable to Sigma Xi's future.
     
     
   • Strategic plan developed and adopted contains a mission and culture statement and 9 goals.
     
     
   • Strategic plan includes a permanent home for Sigma Xi at Research Triangle Park. The cost of the new building is not expected to be more than the current rental costs. It will include a great hall for meetings and more space in which to work.
     
     
   • One component of the strategic plan is to increase our overseas partner affiliates.
     
     
   • Please refer to the web site for a complete report and minutes from the annual meeting, as well as a list of activities of various societies (http://www.sigmaxi.org). Most chapters are linked to the National web-site, in this way both National and the Chapter can keep the web-site up to date.
     
     
   Other activities - Breakout Sessions
   
   
   • Regional Website Development. I attended a breakout session on regional web pages development and management. Many chapter web sites are hard to locate and are under a local contact or linked to other list serves. Most Chapters have opted to have national headquarters maintain the site but providing total access to local chapter officers and view only by Chapter members. The national organization then links local Chapter to their regional and contingency groups. Our FDA Sigma Xi website is part of CFSAN Internet server and is open to the public and linked to the National Site. Fred Fry maintains the Site.
     
     Refer to http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sxfda.html for updates.
     
     
   • Chapter Revitalization. Another breakout session I attend was on chapter revitalization. One of the first suggestions made was to identify a champion for your group. This person is very visible and will help to obtain administrative support needed to manage a successful chapter. Second, they suggested that we identify core supporters and third to develop a plan of action. The fourth step would lead to the implementation of the plan. The rule of thumb was to make it simple or Kiss Principle that would include no more than 2 speaker events and 2 events such as a banquet, outing or award ceremony. We are all very busy and so are our members. Most successful Chapters have obtained outside sponsors to help provide awards or speaker expenses. We can also apply for a grant from Sigma Xi for workshop or distinguished lecturer subsidy. I thought one idea was especially good. It was to go to a local school board and have them select the outstanding science teacher or student research recipient.
     
     
   • Chapter awards. Various awards were given to Sigma Xi Chapters for most new members inducted, Chapter Program Awards (one recipient was the Arkansas Chapter - NCTR); Diversity Program Awards (one recipient was Howard University); and Outstanding Region Awards (Alaska Chapter developed resources of school).
     
     
   Materials.
   
   I brought back brochures; membership applications, posters and Chapter tool kits as resource material for Sigma Xi Chapter Officers. Hopefully these will be put to good use. I requested that National Sigma Xi provide local chapter with the following:
   
   
   • Business cards with Sigma Xi Logo that we can hand out at science fairs or membership drives or have available at meetings.
     
     
   • T-shirts for local Science Fair winners and for FDA Science Forum Poster Winner.
     
     
   • More Certificates of Merit for poster presenters
     
     
   • Mailing labels for members without e-mail address.
     
     
2. Additional Information for FDA Sigma Xi Members
   
   
   • Foreign Chapter Companion.
     
     Would you (FDA Chapter) be interested in being a companion chapter to a new foreign chapter? Includes communicating through electronic means, providing advice, and getting to know other researchers.
     
     
   • 2003 FDA Science Forum Registration
     
     Have you registered for the 2003 Science Forum? The date is April 24-25, 2003, at The New Washington Convention Center. The cost is $25.00 and includes 2 days of exciting talks, workshops, job fair, exhibits, posters (box lunch is included) etc. Special Attention: Retired FDA Sigma Xi members. Susan Bond (OC) has agreed to provide up to 15 VIP complimentary passes for FDA Sigma Xi- retirees who wish to attend the 2003 FDA Science Forum. You must act quickly by calling (301) 827-6687 or e-mail sbond@oc.fda.gov to reserve one of the special passes.
     
     
   • 2003 FDA Science Forum Poster Judges Needed.
     
     Would you, as a member for the FDA Chapter of Sigma Xi, or a previous winner of a Science Forum Poster Award, serve as a 2003 Science Forum poster judge? If so, please contact one of the following: Fred Fry (ffry@cfsan.fda.gov); Howard Cyr (hwc@cdrh.fda.gov); or me, Paddy Wiesenfeld (pwiesenf@cfsan.fda.gov). We will provide you with material for judging these posters. Therefore, as you attend the poster session, participate as a judge. This is a once a year opportunity and it is very rewarding.
     
     
   • Local Science Fair Poster Judges Needed.
     
     Jeffrey Yourick (jyourick@cfsan.fda.gov) is our Sigma Xi local science fair chairman. Become a science fair judge this year. This is very good way to serve Sigma Xi, the scientific community, and the public. Please consider giving 4 or 5 hours of your time, once a year. We need 3 or 4 judges for each science fair. Science fairs provide breakfast and a boxed lunch for all the judges and you get to meet lots of wonderful young people and see some exciting work. Keep these dates open. For more information contact Jeff.
     
     
   • Chapter Liaisons Needed
     
     Would you as an active or retired FDA Sigma Xi member serve as a liaison from one of the Center in FDA? Length of service, like our officers, could be for 2 years. The liaison would advise us on programs of interest to Sigma Xi across the entire FDA. The liaison could also take the lead in organizing an event.
     
     
3. Calendar of Events & Meetings
   
   
   1. The fall meeting special guest lecturer was Dr. Bernard Schwetz was held in Mod II conference room on October 18, 2002. The title of his talk was "New Concerns over Old Issues". Topics ranged from discussions on acrylamide and mercury levels in foods to the national public health epidemic in obesity. The standing room only crowd (room hold up to 70 people) was given an in depth prospective on these and other significant regulatory and public health issues. We are very grateful to Dr. Schwetz for his inspiring talk.
      
      
   2. DC Chapter Sigma Xi Meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2003. The speaker is Dr. Wendell Hill. Topic is "Light, atoms and molecules-physics in daily life". Location: Old Town Alexandria Café Calliope - Embassy Suites hotel. Cost $25. If interested contact, Cristina Gouin: gouinc@ba.ars.usda.gov or telephone (301) 504-7657.
      
      
   3. FDA Chapter Sigma Xi Winter/Spring Meeting - Are you interested learning more about research conducted in the USGS and Fish and Wild Life Service at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center? From Whooping Cranes to the West Nile Virus, learn more. Researchers will share their exciting work with us. Tentative date: Friday, February 21, 2003, 3:00 p.m. at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Research Center, Laurel, MD. For Directions: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/. Light refreshments will be served.
      
      
   4. Local Science Fairs - Represent FDA Sigma Xi at a Local Science Fair. Dates for local science fairs are as follows:

      Region	Date
      Fairfax County, VA District of Columbia Montgomery County, MD Prince Georges County, MD	March 15, 2003 March 15, 2003 March 23, 2003 April 4, 2003

      
      
      
   5. 9^th Annual FDA Science Forum - April 24-25, 2003, new The Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C. Title: FDA Science: Protecting America's Health.
      
      
   6. Spring special lecture to be arranged.
      
      
   7. Annual Banquet: Joint FDA & DC Sigma Xi Chapters - May 2, 2003. More information to follow.