Australian Institute of Physics, SA branch. Minutes of the committee meeting on Thursday 12th September 2002, held in the tea room of the Dept. of Physics and Mathematical Physics at the University of Adelaide. Present: Canney, Hale, Samardzic, Bouwknegt, Campbell and Carter. Apologies:Leinweber, Kalloniatis, Cockshell, Veitch. Minutes of the last meeting: Corrections: Bouwknegt noted that he had made corrections before the minutes were circulated. No more were reported. The unofficial discussion with John O'Connor was not minuted, but was written up and Campbell can/will provide it. CHAIR'S REPORT: (Bouwknegt) - The cheque for this year's money from the national branch has been received. Bouwknegt tabled the treasurer's reports of other branches, showing that NSW received $30000. NSW paid out too much to students for congress attendance. - Money has been received for the video camera, but the national branch doesn't want to own anything. Bouwknegt said that we will not/now go ahead on this. - The national branch will cover registration for AIP delegates at "Science Meets Parliament", but the branches should not cover other costs. These should be recovered from departments or employers, so anyone going should think about how to pay for it. TABLED DOCUMENTS: - The Treasurer's report to the National Executive. - A report on the national web page (which can be distributed by email). It includes a requirement to be able to change details on the web. There is concern about web registration, as 3% of the payment goes to the credit card provider. - A list of scholarships (Bouwknegt, who sought suggestions by email, noting that the list is not new.) - The advert from the Physicist, seeking applicants for positions in the new national executive, including Vice President, Treasurer, Registrar and Secretary. Hale and Samardzic commented that for logistical reasons these positions need to be filled by people from the Eastern states. Bouwknegt called on members to bring forward volunteers if they can. - Menus for the AGM dinner. TREASURER'S REPORT: (Canney) - There was not much activity to report. - The national distribution for this year has been received. - (In response to a question from Samardzic) We are waiting on a cheque from Marrytville. - We have an excess of money at present. Bouwknegt approved a request by Carter to buy pizzas for the Careers' Night. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: MEETINGS: - (Veitch) There were few AIP members at the joint meeting with biology, but there were 30-40 present, making it successful as one met other types of people. The biologists were enthusiastic and keen to collaborate, with an interest in it being an annual event. Hale made/sought a suggestion for next year. - There were only a few members at the student Night. Bouwknegt asked if it is worth continuing. - Upcoming WIP lecture (next Monday): Samardzic had sent a letter to Lara, as Blankleider will do the certificate, but not the letters. Hale said she could invite Sara Casey, but Samardzic undertook to call her. Bouwknegt asked if someone from WIP could hand out the medals. Samardzic listed the people who have given the talk about Claire Corani at previous WIP lectures. Bouwknegt reported arranging a radio interview on 5UV. - The joint meeting with the ASSA in October: Veitch will give the AIP talk. There is a need to determine who (ASSA or AIP) will do what. - Careers' Night: Carter reported that this will be in the North-South dining room and that a data projector will be available. She undertook to send information to Bouwknegt and Campbell when it is confirmed. There will be pizza afterwards. Hale listed the speakers as Todd Maddern, Fiona Weir from RLA, Olivia Samardzic from DSTO, Norman Jones and Susan Cockshell (as a teacher). She suggested 3 other people, including Leon and Stephen Russell. Samardzic said that no more speakers are required. Veitch noted that we want speakers without PhDs as well. Bouwknegt raised the issue that Fiona is not doing Physics work. Carter said that it didn't matter, but Bouwknegt questioned if her degree was required in the job. Other suggested speakers were Peta ?, who has been on TV (but not in the state according to Veitch) and Joe Guvara (who is interstate, and stopped a PhD to work on modelling of the stock market). Hale give the time for the meeting as 6pm, which is not good for people who are working, but good for students. - Bouwknegt asked about student liason. Carter said that SPACED is not doing much, but they may have a barbeque or a dinner. - AGM: Bouwknegt said that he and Kalloniatis had checked the venue - the Chapel restaurant. There is a concern if there are too many people, as there is a maximum of 42, but it should be OK, as there have only been 30 people at previous dinners. The plan is to have the AGM in the Kerr Grant before drinks. (Bouwknegt said that drinks cannot be put out in the department without a licence.) Bouwknegt suggested package 2, for $32 ($20 for students), with a maximum or 42. He said he would change the dessert and undertook to send a final proposal by email. He noted that we still have a reservation at the Public Schools' Club. Bouwknegt ruled that the student subsidy should not apply to non-members. He undertook to finalise details on the next day. - AGM speaker: Bouwknegt listed the possibilities: - Margaret Folkard (from Sundials Australia) - Eric Weigold (retiring director of the research school at ANU) - Bruce Mainsbridge. Samardzic suggested Adam Weigold from Photon Engineering. She undertook to approach Margaret Folkard at a WIP meeting. Bouwknegt said that the speech should be for a maximum of 20 minutes, and should not be formal although overheads can be used. 2003 COMMITTEE: The following positions were arranged: Chair: Veitch Secretary: Campbell Student Representative: Carter Hale, Samardzic and Bouwknegt are to remain on the committee. Some suggestions were made: - It is easier if the Meetings convenor is someone from Adelaide Uni. (Hale) - Everyone should be proactive on finding speakers (Bouwknegt) - It would be easier if everyone did a bit more, such as respond to emails (Samardzic) - We need committee members from DSTO (Veitch), UniSA (Bouwknegt) and industry, such as Scantech (Samardzic). Samardzic said that there is no interest from people at DSTO. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Carter noted that John O'Connor had a group that went around schools, and that the Investigator do this for $110. She asked if we could find someone to do this. Samardzic reported that some of us do this, and that she has done it four times. Bouwknegt said that Physics departments should do this and that we do not give other people money to do it. Samardzic suggested getting a list of people and advertising it in SASTA or by email. Responding to a query from Bouwknegt, she said that one request came through the education department, another through DSTO and others from people who had seen her speak. She suggested there must be more people who could do this. Veitch noted that they would need to be vetted. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: It was decided that another meeting is not required this year.