Board of Directors December 6-7, 2019, Meeting Summary

FASEB’s in-person Board of Director’s meeting was held in Arlington, Virginia, December 6-7, 2019.

The meeting began with a presentation by Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Droegemeier engaged the Board in a lively discussion to gain input and specific recommendations on policy issues related to the Joint Committee on the Research Environment (JCORE). Droegemeier’s attendance at the Federation Board meeting demonstrates FASEB’s respect in the scientific community and its ability to impact science policy at the highest levels of the U.S. government.

After reports on efforts to craft FASEB’s 2021 Federal Funding Recommendations and the work of FASEB’s Science Policy Committee, the Board approved proposed comments on the draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and a response to OSTP’s Request for Information (RFI) on the American Research Environment. 

Extensive information on the Federation’s financial position was presented and the Board approved the Federation’s 2020 Budget. FASEB’s budget has effectively been balanced but identifying new revenue generating activities and programs will be a key priority in 2020 (as demonstrated by an exercise held later in the meeting to identify potential services and products that can lead to positive revenue generating efforts for the Federation over the next 5 years). 

The Board was updated on the Membership Committee’s work to develop FASEB’s value proposition, to define benefits to members, and to determine its dues calculation methodology. FASEB staff previewed print and electronic marketing materials created to highlight FASEB’s member value. These materials will be publicly available in early 2020.

Board members approved the addition of three new positions on the Board for individuals within 7 years of starting an independent faculty position and the addition of three new positions on the Science Policy Committee that can be filled by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows or early career investigators. These initiatives will improve the Federation’s ability to gather input from young scientists and provide a unique and significant leadership and professional development opportunity.

The Board provided feedback on proposed revisions to the FASEB bylaws. The final revised bylaws will be presented to the Board at their January 7 conference call. The Board will take final action on these amendments during its in-person meeting in March 2020.