The SAFS Graduate Conference / Retreat is a student-lead event which takes place each fall. The retreat includes all SAFS graduate students - new and seasoned - and is a great chance to meet each other, learn about each other's research, and socialize. Student-lead workshops are an important part of the retreat and include sessions on preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, delivering effective and engaging presentations at conferences and elsewhere, and taking advantage of living in Seattle while in graduate school. A member from each lab group gives a very short and informal presentation on lab members and research themes. Food and beer are provided throughout the retreat!
Past retreats varied in length and location from an all-weekend retreat at a lodge in the Cascades to an afternoon gathering at UW's Waterfront Activities Center. This year we hope to compromise between both extremes with a local session for everyone including graduate students unable to leave town followed by a social trip to the mountains for everyone looking for a true retreat. Details for the SAFS 2009 Graduate Retreat will be posted in late summer 2009. We are open to ideas and suggestions to make this retreat informative, useful and fun! If you are interested in helping coordinate the 2009 retreat, please contact us.
Megan Atcheson (matcheso@u.wash), Ben Nelson (bwnelson@u.wash), and
Meryl Mims (mmims@u.wash)
Message from 2008 COGS
Hi SAFS Grads,
Thank you for a great grad retreat on Sunday. There were approx. 40 grad students in attendance and wide representation from SAFS lab groups. For those who weren't there, I want to share the main points discussed during our group meeting. Here's a brief recap:
- There was general consensus to maintain FINS as a grad student-run group with a primary contact person (FINS Coordinator) who will act as a liaison between the grad students and SAFS Admin and organize / delegate responsibilities as needed. All other FINS positions and responsibilities will continue to be allocated among many individuals.
- Each September, grads will hold an organizational meeting (facilitated by FINS Coordinator) to reassign FINS positions / responsibilities and discuss general grad-related issues. This meeting could happen in conjunction with the grad student retreat or occur as a separate event.
- There was substantial interest in developing a stronger connection between the new American Fisheries Society Chapter being formed at UW and FINS. Two AFS Liaisons were appointed to keep an open dialogue between AFS Chapter representatives (Dave Beauchamp, Julian Olden, Erin Lowery) and FINS.
- Each year the Treasurer will organize an all-grads meeting to discuss the FINS budget and spending priorities.
- Please see the attached table that details FINS positions and contacts for Fall 2008-Fall 2009.
- If you weren't at the retreat and want to participate, there are many opportunities to help throughout the year. Stay tuned for e-mails from the various event coordinators (e.g., GSS, Spring picnic, etc.).
Anne Beaudreau
