SAEON GSN Committee have great plans for 2009

The GSN Coordinating Committees for 2008 and 2009: From left: Batandwa Alperstein (Public Relations), Shannon Hampton (Webmaster), Angela Mead (Chair), Diane Southey (outgoing member), Dirk Snyman (outgoing member), Musa Mlambo (outgoing member), Lukhanyiso Vumazonke (Finance and Logistics), and Trevor McIntyre (Student Liaison). Nikki Stevens, one of the outgoing members and Brian Mubiwa, a newly elected member were unable to attend the meeting. The incoming and outgoing committees plan for a seamless transition.

- Lukhanyiso Vumazonke, Member - SAEON GSN Coordinating Committee

In February 2009, the SAEON Graduate Student Network (GSN) Coordinating Committee convened at the University of Cape Town (UCT) for a two-day planning meeting.

Newly elected committee members Batandwa Alperstein, Shannon Hampton and Trevor McIntyre met with outgoing members Musa Mlambo, Diane Southey and Dirk Snyman who have been serving on the committee since the beginning of 2007. Also present in the meeting were Angela Mead and Lukhanyiso Vumazonke, two members from the previous committee who will remain part of the current committee to ensure a smooth transition.

On the first day of the meeting, the outgoing and the new committee members discussed the committee structure, handing-over of portfolios and allocation of responsibilities, as well as the 2008 annual report and feedback on the 2008 Indibano strategy on methods to increase GSN membership.

On the second day, the two remaining committee members together with the newly elected members held a planning meeting for the 2009 Indibano and other programmes in the pipeline for 2009.

GSN Committee structure

The committee structure and responsibilities for 2009/10 were decided as follows:

• Angela Mead (Chairperson) – will be responsible for the motivation and funding proposal for this year’s programmes. She will also coordinate the annual report and an action plan for the envisaged programmes. 
• Shannon Hampton (Webmaster) – will be responsible for maintenance of the GSN website. This will include regular updating of information and uploading of easily downloadable documents.
• Batwanda Alperstein (Public Relations) – will be responsible for the membership drive through creating posters and conference stands. He will also coordinate popular articles for SAEON eNews.
• Trevor McIntyre (Student Liaison) – will be the link between the GSN committee and other students through e-messaging. This will involve updating and maintaining the GSN mailing list. Trevor will also be responsible for disseminating information on career and study opportunities to GSN members through mailing lists.
• Lukhanyiso Vumazonke (Finance and Logistics) – will draw up and balance the GSN annual budget and generate funding for GSN programmes when required. He will also liaise with 2009 Indibano delegates to arrange their accommodation and transportation.
• Brian Mubiwa (Internal Communications) – will liaise with SAEON Head Office and Node Managers. This liaison will be extended to other bodies such as the Environmental Long-Term Observatories of southern Africa (ELTOSA) and the International Long Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER).

Some of the roles will overlap and a combined team effort is essential. In conclusion, the new GSN Committee would like to thank their predecessors for their sterling work and leadership to make the GSN the successful student platform it has become.