First off, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mollie Ogaz as the new Secretary and Miranda Bell-Tilcock as the new President-Elect of the Cal-Neva Chapter. I am very much looking forward to working with these two accomplished women in fisheries in the upcoming year.
This year has finally provided us with opportunities to once again gather in person to share research, knowledge and ideas and to just have fun. I would like to thank everyone who attended, contributed to and supported our first in person annual meeting in 3 years this past May! It was wonderful to see so many faces again, some familiar and some new. I am grateful for your support in keeping everyone safe by following the Covid guidelines, allowing attendance by everyone.
The annual meeting planning is chaired by the incoming President, and it was my pleasure to work with the experienced planning committee to put together the 2022 annual meeting. One of my goals as President, is to find ways to focus on and support the development of students and early career scientists of all paths, and the conference allowed us to focus on moving those goals forward. Part of achieving those goals was to financially support travel for 5 of Cal-Neva’s student sub-units to the meeting this year, giving them an opportunity to network with established scientists after 2 years of online meetings. The meeting schedule featured the student symposia at a central time, to allow for as much interaction as possible. Working toward another goal, we learned more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from a session organized and facilitated by Z Zenoba from Cal-Poly Humboldt, including some great book recommendations (see Book Suggestions). In the coming year, it is my hope to keep building on the progress made this past year and provide various opportunities for students and early career scientists, but this will require engagement from experienced membership. To this end, please stay tuned to hear how you may be able to get involved and I would love to hear from anyone interested in supporting this work with ideas and/or time!
The membership is what makes any organization, and that membership is you! Several committees are either open or looking for additional members. To get involved you can email me directly anytime ([email protected]). Your thoughts and ideas are always welcome.
I look forward to seeing you in 2023 at the next Cal-Neva meeting in Long Beach, March 1-3 and at the Western Division meeting in Boise, May 7-11.
Best Regards,