By John Lipscomb, Council Contact for Regional Chapters
Lake Ontario Regional Chapter to Reactivate and Recruit Members this Fall
Originally founded in 1997 and active for more than a decade, the Lake Ontario Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology (LORC/SOT) recently fell into a period of inactivity. The chapter is geographically located in central west New York, a small section of northeast Pennsylvania, and much of southern Ontario, between the Michigan, Allegheny-Erie, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast Regional Chapters.
In the past year, the Regional Chapter Collaboration and Communication Committee (RCCCC) has been working, in conjunction with other interested and motivated SOT members, to revitalize the LORC/SOT. To this end, the RCCCC, spearheaded by Chair Tao Wang and member Michael Hughes, conducted several telecon meetings with current SOT members from the Lake Ontario region. The discussion focused on whether to move forward in revitalizing LORC/SOT (and how to proceed in doing so)—or whether to disband the chapter should there not be sufficient interest in re-vitalization efforts.
Through these telecon meetings, it was repeatedly noted that there are numerous toxicologists and students (who majored in Toxicology or closely related Interdisciplinary Health Sciences) in the Lake Ontario region. As the LORC/SOT has been inactive for a number of years, these toxicologists did not have a regional home in the SOT. Furthermore, the Society of Toxicology of Canada does not have any sub-organization or activities in this region. If revitalized, the LORC/SOT could help train and retain toxicologists in this region, and it was proposed that this would be especially beneficial to the students in this region.
A “survey of interest” of the SOT members in the Lake Ontario region was conducted and it was found that out of more than 30 potential participants, 85% indicated that they were interested in participating in LORC/SOT activities. This was thought to be a great number of participants to get things going again! In addition to these interested members, it also was determined that there are additional SOT members residing in Lake Ontario region that could be recruited to join this regional chapter.
A proposal was made to the SOT Council to reactivate the chapter this past May. Council approved the proposal and the appointment of Warren Foster, James Gomes, and Mark Korchinski as Interim President, Interim Vice President, and Interim Secretary/Treasurer, respectively, of the LORC/SOT, through April 30, 2013. If needed, these positions could be extended for an additional year to allow revitalization continuity.
The LORC/SOT Interim Officers are presently preparing Bylaws for approval, in which the election of officers for the 2013–2014 term will be included and conducted prior to the 2013 SOT Annual Meeting. Potential and participating members will be surveyed to express interest in filling Councilor positions as well as Student and Postdoctoral Representative positions. Soon the LORC officers will begin planning for a schedule of events that may include a webinar and will include a Chapter meeting (location TBD). Those with ideas should contact Interim President Warren Foster regarding any ideas or suggestions.
SOT Council, as well as the RCCCC representing the collaborative and congenial interests of all the SOT Regional Chapters, express their warm welcome back to the Lake Ontario Chapter! Good Luck! Bonne Chance!