9650 ROCKS! February 2008 issue

February 2008

The FASEB Community Newsletter

In this issue

• home
• community chatter
• department highlights
• spotlight 1-on-1
• commute this!
• business basics
• health & fitness
• personal interest
• money talk
• february gems
• fun & games
• puzzle solutions
• contact us

Web Links & Resources

• 9650 Rocks! archives
• FASEB intranet
• more links...

Community Chatter

American Red Cross "Thank You" (more...)

FASEB Board of Directors approves funds for campus renovations (more...)

I See "New" People (more...)

FASEB Service Awards Announced (more...)

Retirement: Marcia Scott (more...)

In Memoriam: Carol Ann Rilley (more...)

Beaumont Campus Calendar of Events (more...)

FASEB responds to BRAC DEIS (more...)

Recycling on Campus (more...)

Carpooling on Campus (more...)

Black History Month at FASEB

FASEB MARC Program Celebrates Maryland's Black History

February 1 marked the opening of the FASEB MARC Program's exhibit featuring the Black History of the state of Maryland. The exhibit, continuing through Friday, February 29, features photographs, posters, music, and interesting facts about famous Marylanders of color.

Featured in this exhibit are Benjamin Banneker, James Hubert "Eubie" Blake, Frederick Douglass, Billie Holiday, Josiah Henson, Harriett Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, and Matthew Henson, among others.

If you have not had an opportunity to visit the exhibit, please be sure to participate in the Black History Month mixer and social scheduled for Friday, February 15, from 2–3 p.m. Rumor has it that the menu will include a particular food item that put Maryland's Chesapeake Bay on the seafood map! Did I hear someone mention "crabs?"

We hope you will be able to join in the celebration and learn more about the state that FASEB calls home! - Jacquie Roberts

Click images above for related articles.

Business Basics

Words of Peter Drucker resound through American business

From the publication of his first economics book in 1939 until his recent death, Peter Drucker was known as the foremost authority on how to run a business. (But he never had a secretary and he answered his own telephone.)

Though much of his work was done some years ago, his ideas are timeless. These are a few of his statements we believe in and try to practice.

On work: Focus on opportunities rather than problems. Problem solving prevents damage, but exploiting opportunities produces results. Unless there is a crisis, problems shouldn't even be discussed until opportunities have been analyzed and dealt with. Exploit change as an opportunity, and don't view it as a threat.

On organizations: Human beings tend to close out the outside. But effective organizations exist not to satisfy themselves but to fill a customer need. Leaders have the duty to focus an organization on the outside in a way that continually refreshes what everyone is doing inside the company.

On decisions: Every decision is risky. It's a commitment of present resources to an uncertain and unknown future. Risks can be minimized if you know when a decision is necessary, how to clearly define a problem and tackle it directly, and that you'll have to make compromises in the end. You haven't made a decision until you've found a way to implement it. (He was quoted in Fortune.)

On management: Don't ever say "I think," say "we." Effective leaders know they have authority only because they have the trust of the organization. They understand that the needs and opportunities of an organization come before their own needs.

Simply put, Drucker said we have to view problems and change as opportunities. We have to think of the customer and how we can fill his needs. We have to have a clear way to implement change before we make it. The interests of the organization come before individual interests.

>> More articles available in "Business Basics"

Department Highlights and Spotlight 1-on-1

FASEB’s Office of Scientific Meetings and Conferences

L-to-R: (seated) Josie Leftwich, Nancy Copen, Crystal Hiner; (standing) Geri Swindle, Julie Levin, Jean Lash, Peggi McGovern, Jessica Lyons, Joni Friedman TThe Office of Scientific Meetings and Conferences provides logistical support for scientific meetings to FASEB Member Societies and nonmember organizations. The services provided include site selection, facility arrangements, personnel and equipment arrangements, exhibit management, promotion, hospitality, assistance with abstract processing and programming, and registration processing. The OSMC has managed everything from a picnic in the park for 5,000 to a performance by the National Symphony at the Washington Convention Center.

The OSMC also manages the very successful FASEB Summer Research Conferences. The Conferences were established in 1982 to provide a forum for experimental biologists to meet intimately and without distractions to explore new approaches to those research areas undergoing rapid scientific change.

The Federation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide and sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. The OSMC is responsible for the administration of all FASEB CME activities.

The professional staff of the OSMC provides the expertise, resources, and purchasing power to ensure that each meeting is a scientifically rewarding experience and meets financial objectives.

Whether you are planning a meeting for 50 or 20,000, there are many detailed steps that must be completed and decisions made to assure success. These require the utilization of many systems, tools, techniques, and skills. Our professional staff can streamline the work flow and advise organizers on procedures, avoiding time-consuming trial and error methods which are less efficient and more costly. (more...) - Geri Swindle

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Some people call it Stress!

Seems like everyone is under stress from work, family or other issues. Some people deal with it better than others. This month our question is:

When you are feeling stressed at work or at home, what do you do to settle down and get back to a normal stance?

Some people cook, for others their favorite music helps them put stress aside. Bowling, or playing with kids works too. What do you do?

Email us at 9650Rocks@faseb.org

Calling all book lovers!!

In just a matter of a few weeks, our "FASEB Favorite Books" list has grown considerably! Thanks to all who have submitted titles and authors. It appears that "Oprah's Book Club" has a little competition on the Beaumont Campus!

Have you read any great books that you'd like to recommend? Email your favorite titles and authors to us and we'll add them to our "FASEB Favorite Books" list.

Feel free to include your 'brief" comments about your favorites!

Email us at 9650Rocks@faseb.org

Thanks for sharing!