Dr. Gaetan Faubert called the meeting to order and asked for any additions to the agenda. Dave Marcogliese asked that the report of the Parasitology Module Steering Committee be added under other business.
MOTION (Webster / Shostak): To approve the agenda as amended. CARRIED.
Dr. Faubert welcomed the members of the Parasitology section to McGill University. He felt that the joint meeting with the FQRNT Centre for Host Parasite Interactions was a success and mentioned that he had received a considerable amount of positive feedback. He thanked the FQRNT for including the Parasitology section in both of their luncheons and as a result the members of the section were hosted to two excellent meals.
MOTION (Webster/Scott): To approve the minutes of the 2006 AGM. CARRIED.
4.1 The proposed changes to the executive follows a motion put forward at the previous AGM. The section currently has six executive positions with a proposal being put forth to reduce the number of positions to two. It was noted that is has become increasingly difficult in recent years to find volunteers for these positions. For example, the position of vice-chair has been vacant for two years and the secretary/treasurer position has also exceeded the agreed upon three year term.
A document was compiled by Dr. Cameron Goater and was forwarded to members of the section prior to the AGM in Montreal. The members of the section were invited to comment on the document. David Marcogliese felt that the proposed new structure of the executive would not allow an unbiased way to vote for the Wardle Awardee. He suggested that we retain the recognition committee as is and have the three previous Wardle winners choose the new recipient of the Wardle.
Dr. Andre Buret felt that the wording for the aims and objectives was too short and suggested that it be reworded to “shall be promote and advance the study of hosts and environments.” Dr. Shostak pointed out that if the section delayed the streamlining of the executive until all members were satisfied with the working document, it would likely take another year to make the needed changes. He pointed out that other sections within the Canadian Society of Zoologists have adopted a two-member executive.
Dr. Marilyn Scott expressed concerns about having Dr. Faubert continue as chair of the section as he would be retiring within the year. This was based on the fact that the current executive agreed to serve another term until the proposed changes to the executive were put into place. Dr. Faubert assured the section that he would be able to continue his duties as chair as he has postponed his retirement until March 2008.
MOTION (Shostak / Webster): To support the existing motion to change the executive and to adopt the document prepared by Dr. Goater as a working document. CARRIED.
SUBSIDIARY MOTION (Shostak / Marcogliese): that the name of the Parasitology Section be changed to Parasitology and Host Response. DEFEATED.
5.1 Financial statement: Dr. Ardelli pointed out that while her title is secretary-treasurer, all finances for the section are maintained by the treasurer for the society, Dr. Al Shostak, and have been for several years. As such, Dr. Shostak was asked to speak to the financial statement. The section received the annual grant from the American Society of Parasitologists and at present the section has approximately $8000.00. Dr. Shostak pointed out once again that the section must spend the money. This arises from matters that were brought forward at the AGM at Queen’s University.
5.2 Elections: Dr. Ardelli pointed out that normally elections would be held in the fall to choose the new executive. Due to the difficulty in filling the positions, and the proposed changes to the executive, elections were not held for the 2007-2008 executive. The current executive agreed to remain in their current positions until the proposed changes to the executive have been finalized.
5.3 Affiliate Societies: Dr. Ardelli manages correspondence from the World Federation of Parasitologists, the American Society of Parasitologists and from potential members. Correspondence in the previous year consisted of announcements for various conferences and individuals seeking forms for membership in the section.
The 2007 Murray Fallis competition is being judged by the two section councillors, Drs. Armando Jardim and Todd Smith. Nine students qualified to compete for the Murray Fallis Award, eight of which had already presented their paper at the time of the section luncheon. The remaining student would present in the afternoon, after which the winner would be selected. Dr. Smith would be attending the banquet and agreed to present the winner at that time.
The 2008 meeting of CSZ will take place at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The dates for the meeting were not known but would likely be the Monday of the long weekend. Mount Saint Vincent, similar to McGill, was having scheduling problems due to the residences. Dr. Faubert felt that the theme for the symposium should highlight that part of the country and should emphasize the speciality of the area.
Dr. Scott pointed out that the CMD section organizes a satellite symposium in addition to the regularly scheduled section symposium. After her discussion with the chair of the CMD section, she indicated that they made a decision within their section to organize the satellite symposium in a way that highlighted one speaker plus two students to speak on the subject. She felt it was important for the Parasitology section to engage their students more by suggesting a satellite symposium. The satellite symposium would be in addition to the normal symposium offered by the section.
Dr. Dave Marcogliese provided a brief overview of the report of the Parasitology Module Steering Committee. The most important news was the retirement of Hugh Danks as the head of the Biological Survey. At the moment, the position has been replaced for a one-year term. Other aspects of the report may be viewed on the section website.
Mr. Haseeb Randhawa commented on the excellent symposium offered by the Parasitology Section. Dr. Webster asked the section to join with him in thanking Dr. Faubert for organizing the annual meeting of the CSZ as well as serving as chair of the section. Dr. Webster also thanked the FQRNT Centre for co-hosting the event.
MOTION (Smith / Beech): that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED.