SCANZ Annual General Meeting 2024

The Science Communicators Association of New Zealand Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 21 November during the 2024 conference.

Agenda

  1. Welcome, Note of Attendees, Apologies

  2. Confirmation of the Minutes for the Previous AGM

  3. President Report

  4. Financial Report (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024)

  5. Executive Committe member retirements and elections

  6. Any other business

Documents for approval

If you spot any issues with these documents that would prevent your approval, please email us hello@scanz.co.nz

For reference: Constitution

EXPRESSIONS OF Interest for executive positions

We have had several expressions of interest in joining the volunteer executive committee. We have shared some information below ahead of the AGM election.

Kati Doehring (Cawthron, Nelson)

My name is Kati and I am a freshwater ecologist and science communicator at the Cawthron Institute, in Whakatū Nelson. I have been a SCANZ member for the last 4 years and love the ‘family-focussed’, diverse and collective approach of the Association.

After spending eleven years as a bio-physical freshwater ecologist, I became increasingly frustrated with the gap between scientific research and public understanding. This led me to pursue a PhD in Science Communication, looking at how storytelling can be used as a tool for freshwater restoration. Now that I’ve finished this chapter, I’m excited to explore new opportunities – and I think becoming an Executive Committee member could be the perfect next adventure!

I’d be thrilled to bring my experience, enthusiasm, and collaborative mindset to the team. I believe my strengths as a connector and my people-centric approach to both work and life would be valuable to the Executive. I’m passionate about building strong, supportive networks and fostering an environment where science communication can thrive (in Aotearoa and globally!), and I’d love to contribute to the continued success of SCANZ in this role.

Mike Kilpatrick (AUT, Auckland)

Mike Kilpatrick is a Scottish-born former scientist, who retrained as a journalist in 2007. He's regretting that decision now. After stints as a sports and technology journalist and taking charge of the Microsoft News website in Aotearoa, he switched to a communications role at AUT, where he now looks after academics in the Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences. He hasn't been on an executive committee since he tried to take over the National Union of Students Scotland in 1997. He partially succeeded.