Monthly Archives: October 2017

Prairie Rivers Network: Science Policy in Action

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CLSL B102, Oct 31st at 12:00 pm

Dr. Carol Hays is Executive Director of Prairie Rivers Network, Illinois’ statewide advocate for clean water, healthy rivers and wildlife. PRN is the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. Prairie Rivers Network works to protect rivers, wetlands and drinking water sources from threats due to industrial, sewage and agricultural pollution, dams, and aquatic invasive species. Based on sound science, PRN encourages land use practices that improve soil health, protect water quality, reduce flooding, and enhance biodiversity. Dr. Hays will discuss the challenges facing Illinois’ rivers and drinking water sources and the strategies PRN uses to address these challenges.

More details on or facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2032505960369732/

October Newsletter

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2018 Executive Board Elections

We are soliciting self-nominations for the 2018 SPG Executive Board! The Executive board includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Webmaster, Advertising Chair, Professional Development Committee Chair, Inform Committee Chair, Advocacy Committee Chair, and Partnerships Chair. Descriptions of the responsibilities of each position can be found on our website. If you are interested in running for a board position and would like more information, feel free to set up a meeting with our president by emailing spg.uiuc@gmail.com.

Nominations will be accepted through October 27th. Ballots will then be sent to voting members and the results announced shortly after.

Springfield Visit

On Wednesday, October 25th, SPG is going to Springfield to learn more about the state legislative process. There will be discussions on how to advocate effectively with the University of Illinois’ Office of Government Relations and Senator Scott Bennett. We will have a chance to watch a legislative session on the assembly floor and have several meetings with Illinois Representatives and Senators.

We will be leaving campus at 8:15 am and returning to campus around 6 pm. Attendees are expected to attend the entire trip and will need to bring money for lunch. Spaces on this trip are limited. If you are interested in attending, please contact David as soon as possible!

Intersectionality within the Sciences Reading Group

Have you ever questioned how gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, and disabilities play into STEM? Our Reading Group includes readings from critical race theory and feminism and will examine how the inclusion and exclusion of marginalized groups shape STEM education and scientific policy-making. Open to both undergraduates and graduate students, participants need no background in social sciences or cultural studies. Join us from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Asian American Cultural Center conference room on October 24th, November 14th, and November 28th. We will be fininsing the unit on gender in October and starting the unit on sexuality in November.

2018 SPG elections

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We are soliciting self-nominations for the 2018 SPG Executive Board! The Executive board includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Webmaster, Advertising Chair, Professional Development Committee Chair, Inform Committee Chair, Advocacy Committee Chair, and Partnerships Chair. Descriptions of the responsibilities of each position can be found below. If you are interested in running for a board position and would like more information, please email spg.uiuc@gmail.com to set up a meeting with our president.

Apply by filling out this form: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/1656149. Nominations will be accepted through October 27th. Ballots will then be sent to voting members and the results announced shortly after.

DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

President

  • Call and preside over  Board meetings
  • Provide leadership and direction to the Board
  • Serve as a liaison to the faculty advisor and the National Science Policy Group
  • Prepare a detailed year-end report and conduct an annual review of the bylaws
  • Assist Board members in fulfilling their duties when they are unable to do so

Vice President

  • Provide assistance to the President in leading the Board
  • Record and distribute Board meeting minutes
  • Maintain and regularly update the voting membership list
  • Manage the SPG ListServ and the SPG Box account
  • Conduct Board elections
  • Lead the Board in the event the President is unable to do so

Treasurer

  • Maintain all financial records of the organization
  • Facilitate reimbursements
  • Locate fundraising opportunities and secure funding for the organization
  • Prepare monthly budget updates for the Board meetings and annual budget report

Webmaster

  • Serve as the administrator for the SPG website, email,  and social media accounts  (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Gmail), posting updates before and after events
  • Ensure that pictures are taken for each event and uploaded to the appropriate account
  • Use online presence to inform new members about the group
  • Work closely with Advertising Director to promote SPG events to members

Advertising

  • Create flyers for and advertise SPG sponsored events
  • Target advertising to recruit new members
  • Work closely with the Webmaster and committee members to promote SPG events to the UIUC campus

Committee Chairs (Inform, Professional Development, and Advocacy Committees)

  • Arranges monthly committee meetings
  • Manage a team that develops events and programs in keeping with the committee’s mission
  • Draft agendas and record minutes for those meetings
  • Guide committee members on event planning including:
    • Appointing individuals as leads/chairs for specific events
    • Setting deadlines for milestones of event planning
    • Facilitating discussions on project ideas and development
    • Troubleshooting and stepping in when members need assistance
  • Attends monthly executive board meetings
  • Serves as the middle-man from the board to the committee
  • Informs the board of the committees progress and plans
  • Informs the committee of directives of the board
  • Ensures no overlap in events/programs being planned by other committees

Partnerships Chair

  • Develop connections with GSOs/professional society student chapters to identify the following:
    • Existing science policy resources on campus
    • Potential co-sponsors for upcoming events
    • Opportunities to recruit new members from departments currently under-represented in SPG

Springfield Trip!

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On Wednesday, October 25th, SPG is going to Springfield for a Educational and Networking trip. Fill out the short application now at the following link: https://illinois.edu/sb/sec/1365774!

There will be discussions on how to advocate effectively with both our Office of Government Relations and Senator Scott Bennett. We will have a chance to watch a session on the assembly floor and have several meetings with Illinois Representatives and Senators.

We will be leaving campus at 8:15 am and returning to campus around 6pm. Attendees are expected to be available the entire trip and will need to bring money for lunch. Spaces on this trip are limited, so get your application in now!