Dear colleagues:

In the recent past, the AAAAI Board of Directors has been concerned that some of our talented leaders do not agree to serve as the AAAAI Secretary-Treasurer (which ascends to the AAAAI Presidency) due to the time commitment required of the individual. In 2007, a task force was convened to study this issue. Task force members include Hugh Sampson, Stanley Goldstein, Bruce Bochner, Linda Cox, and James Li.

After careful consideration, the task force identified two ways to lessen the time commitment of the AAAAI President and to better serve our membership and the specialty.

First, we recommend that the length of time that an individual would need to serve be shortened. This would be done by eliminating the position of Vice President as well as the position of Past Past-President. This will reduce the number of years that an individual would need to serve on the AAAAI Board from ten years to eight. This solution requires a Bylaws change and all voting Fellows will be asked to vote on this change at the 2008 AAAAI Business Meeting in Philadelphia on March 17th.

Second, we recommend that the Academy create a part-time paid position of Executive Vice President. This individual would assist the President, Executive Committee and Board in fulfilling the obligations to the Academy. Since this individual will need to be cognizant of how the Academy is structured and operates, it was felt that past AAAAI Board experience was necessary. Since this is a new position, the exact responsibilities of the position are not yet fully defined. However, possible roles for the individual holding this position would include assisting with JACI, ART, RSL, JCAAI and Interest Section interactions. A copy of the draft responsibilities and qualifications for this individual can be found here.

Much thought has been put into how best to continue to attract the best qualified individuals to serve as the President of our organization. We believe that these solutions will allow us to continue to do so and to further help the AAAAI serve its members. If you have questions about this process, please feel free to contact any of the task force members.

Finally, the BOD approved grant funds of $650,000 for fellows in training and junior faculty, in addition to those funds disbursed through ART.

Sincerely,





Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, FAAAAI
Chair, Task Force

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ANNUAL MEETING UPDATES

• Registration
  Advance registration is available online until February 13, 2008. Onsite registration will be available, starting Thursday, March 13, 4 pm (EDT) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For more information please contact the AAAAI Meetings Department, (414) 272-6071.

• Ticketed Sessions
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