Meeting Notes
Admin Task Force Conference Call
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
1:30 – 3:00 PM
In attendance: Allison Hardt (co-chair), Cynthia Gerst, Chris Hedges, Amy Schutzbach, Caroline Morehouse, Elisha Wright-Kehner.
Action items are underscored.
1. Draft Meeting Notes from Admin TF meeting on July 21, 2014
A MOTION (Amy/Cynthia) to accept the meeting notes was ACCEPTED.
2. Welcome – Allison Hardt
Caroline Morehouse was welcomed as a new member from Alaska replacing Clint Adler.
3. Existing Business
Survey feedback on Your Role in RAC: A Foundation for Best Practices – Allison
44 responses have been received so far. Cynthia will summarize the results in time for the next RAC Officers’ meeting.
“Ahead of the Curve” Update – Cynthia
A workshop is planned during the 2015 TRB meeting to conduct a pilot of the introductory course for Ahead of the Curve. The audience will be limited (probably by invitation) and the course will be finalized based on the workshop results.
Website Subcommittee – Cynthia
The most recent meeting was held yesterday – the subcommittee reviewed a number of recommended changes from the June and July meetings. The meeting in Madison went very well, and the participants provided some very good guidance. There was a general feeling that the site has improved considerably thanks to the work of the subcommittee. The group’s next assignment is to review the remaining three sections of the site: Contacts and Programs, Research Projects and Results, and Resources for Research Managers. Michael Buffalino is the incoming chair. Cynthia encouraged others to participate if they are interested.
DOT Fact Sheets - Allison
No recent changes. Nevada is planning to provide a fact sheet in the next month or so. Updates will be requested early in 2015.
RAC Mentoring Guidelines Update – Cynthia
Draft new language for the website page was attached to the agenda. There was a discussion about the new language suggesting that participation was optional – the original language indicated that a mentor would be provided. It was agreed that Allison would revise the new draft accordingly (to state that a mentor would be provided) and have it posted on the SCOR/RAC website.
Task Force Membership Updates - Allison
The new membership spreadsheet has been finalized and approved and will be sent to Natassja for posting. The Task Force will request semi-annual updates in November and May (so that any changes are finalized prior to January and July meetings).
4. New Business
Task Force Membership Definitions (i.e. members, associate members, friends, etc).
During development of the new membership directory it became apparent that different Task Forces use different membership categories. The Administration Task Force has accepted an assignment to review the RAC Operating Guidelines and make recommendations. Caroline Morehouse will take the lead, Chris Hedges and Allison will assist.
Parking Lot
Solicitation for agenda items for the January meeting should begin in October in order to get recommendations to Skip and Dale in November.
5. Items for RAC leadership
Allison will mention the finalization of the new mentoring guidelines at the next Officers’ call.
6. Open Discussion
7. Next Administration Task Force meeting – Tuesday, September 30th, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
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