The POSTDOCket

Volume 15, Issue 1 (January 2017)

Julie Fabsik-Swarts

Hello NPA Community,

November came into the NPA like a lion! Things have been moving very quickly. First, the Board of Directors had a wonderful, productive retreat in Washington, DC. The new strategic plan is underway and promises to direct our actions in a deliberate and thoughtful direction that will move our organization forward. Thank you to all who participated.

In December, we began packing for our move into our new Rockville, MD, offices. We are now settling into our in the Nonprofit Village where we share services with other nonprofits in the area. This is an efficient way to keep costs down and operate efficiently.

Next, Kryste Ferguson, membership manager, and I went to Cleveland, OH, to view possible sites for the 2018 Annual Meeting. We are busy negotiating and hope to have an announcement with specific dates for our 2018 meeting at our upcoming meeting in San Francisco, CA. Speaking of the 2017 Annual Meeting, volunteer committees have been busy getting ready for this event. Overwhelmingly, everyone agrees that we are growing. We had almost 100 applications for workshop presentations at the event. Committees selected the workshop sessions, posters, and travel and childcare awards. Registration is now open so check out the information at the NPA website. Overall, San Francisco looks to be a great event!

Giving Tuesday occurred on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Thank you to the individuals who stepped up to support the NPA. We are a nonprofit and cannot do it without your support. What was really wonderful were the encouraging comments of support accompanying the donations. Remember, it’s not too late to participate. You can get a tax-deduction that is personally meaningful. No donation is too small. The postdocs that sent in $5 and $10 demonstrate their beliefs in the mission. I hope you too can join them in supporting the work the NPA does.

And as we roll into the new year, we are promoting our new line of postdoc long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies. There are pictures in this newsletter. Quantities are limited so make sure you get yours before they are sold out!

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to make 2017 the best year ever for the postdoc community.

With much appreciation,

Julie Fabsik-Swarts, MS, CFRE, CAP, is executive director of the NPA.