IDAHO CANCER RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION
August 10, 2005 Minutes

Present:  Alok Bhushan, Chris Daniels, William Fyffe, Herve Gambliel, Cheryl Jorcyk, Chris Kapicka, Joseph Kronz, Solomon Leung, Rick Olson, Tiffany Whitney

Alok Bhushan called meeting to order 10:05AM (Hampton Inn, Nampa, ID)

1. Introduction of attendees.
2. Organization Name-Several names were discussed.  By a vote of 7-2 IDAHO CANCER RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION (ICRA) was approved.
3. Meeting frequency-After discussion it was decided that three meetings each year- One with INBRE meeting in August (at lunch), another meeting with Idaho Academy of Sciences in spring (March/April) and a meeting in November, which may be on speakerphone at various institutions.
4. By laws-A preliminary bylaws document will be prepared and sent to Herve for his wife to review. After a draft is reviewed and corrections made, it will be forwarded to all the members for suggestions. (Action item: Bhushan/Gambliel)
5. Dues-The issue of dues was discussed and it was decided to not have any dues for at least one year.
6. Web page- A draft web page will be developed with help from the ISU ITRC. (Action item: Bhushan).  Cheryl Joryck will contact Washington State University to solicit help from their cancer group webpage person. (Action item: Joryck)
7. List Server- a list-server for communications within the association will be developed (Action item: Bhushan).

8. Mission Statement: Following discussion the mission statement: Promote and enhance cancer research in Idaho, was agreed upon.
9. Goals and Objectives: Most of the meeting discussion centered on this item.

The following items were discussed as appropriate for ICRA:

1. Fund pilot research grants for Idaho cancer research investigators
2. Establish a resource site, which will include members’ expertise, research techniques, and equipment that may be helpful for various investigators in the association.
3. Apply for federal funding to support ICRA meetings with appropriate time set aside for ICRA members to interact for collaborations
4. Fund raising-Donations, professional fund raising events with help from patients, have yearly events like the one Komen foundation has around the state.
5. Generate a list of investigators and clinicians to invite to become participants in ICRA
6. Limit speakers efforts to fund raising
7. Increase awareness about cancer research in Idaho by presentations to schools
8. Increase awareness about cancer research in Idaho state representatives
9. Explore establishing an association with MSMRI and IAS. Contact MSMRI for their support.  Contact IAS to discuss adjusting the time of their annual meeting so that it doesn’t overlap with AACR meeting.  Discuss with IAS to see if they would be interested in having cancer as a theme of one of their annual meeting. (Action item: Bhushan)
10. Work with BioIdaho to establish infrastructure to attract bioscience companies.
11. Work with INBRE and IBRI to prepare students for careers in the Bioscience sector.

Next Meeting – In November on speakerphone
Meeting adjourned: 11.38AM