Agenda for Sept 22, 2008 Orlando Meeting

AGENDA

I. Welcome and introduction of members and guests     

            a. Comments from David Adelson, incoming CNS President with brief Q/A

            b. Comments from Dr. Basant Misra, NSI President with brief Q/A 

 II. Review and approval of minutes from April 28, 2008 (Chicago AANS)        

 III. Report on fundraising efforts

            a. Discussion of CNS 2009 Scientific program options

            b. Non-medical speaker options

c. Resources and possible visiting rotations

            d. ad hoc committees and duties

fundraising, accounting, scientific program, social events,

guest speakers, etc.               

 IV. Treasurers report

 V. Sub-committee reports

            a. Ambassador Program

            b. Fellowship Program

VI. Membership Drive

            AASAN members join NSI and other local international organizations

Encourage International members to join as CNS- Vista.

VII. Adjournment

                   Dinner at Memories of India

MINUTES

The meeting started at 5:47 pm, with a record of 53 attendees and 8 guests.

1. Opening remarks by Jogi Pattisapu and acceptance of the April meeting minutes

2. Introduction of Dr. David Adelson, CNS President-Elect, Dr. Basant Misra, President NSI, Mr. Laxmin Laxminarain, Worldwide President, Codman-DePuy

3. CNS Meeting 2009

            -Dr. David Adelson discussed gearing up for next year’s CNS meeting that will be between October 24 and 29, 2009, in New Orleans. The theme is “Excellence in Neurosurgery”. The meeting will be a "Friendship Meeting" between the CNS and the Neurological Society of India

            -Russell Lonser, MD and Ali Rezai, MD will chair the Scientific Program Committee

            -Ashwini Sharan, MD is on the CNS Executive Committee and is helping to coordinate the    efforts with AASAN

            -The CNS would like to see a substantial growth in the participation of Indian neurosurgeons in its activities.

            -There is clearly a move to develop the international reach of the CNS, with education as a the primary mission

            -Some of the AASAN members (including Dr. Ashwini Sharan) will be attending the NSI meeting in Pune in December 2008, in order to promote CNS-NSI efforts

            -The 2010 meeting of NSI will be collaboratively organized with the CNS. Its venue will be chosen in December 2008 at the NSI Annual Meeting

4.         Delegation From NSI India

            Dr. Basant Misra introduced the neurosurgeons from India who will be working as the Ad Hoc CNS-NSI 2009     Organizing Committee:

            -Dr. Deopujari (Mumbai)

            -Dr. Suresh Nair (Trivandrum)

            -Dr. Ajaya Jha (New Delhi)

            -Dr. Ravi Ramamurthi (Chennai)

            -Dr. Suresh Bapu (Chennai)

            -Dr. V.P. Singh (New Delhi)

            -Dr. R C Mishra (Agra)

 5. Mr. Laxmin Laxminarain supported the AASAN efforts and welcomed the opportunity to participate

6. Dr. Anil Nanda who will be a local host in Louisiana added his welcome to NSI and AASAN members to CNS 2009 in New Orleans, and

-Discussed potential non-medical speakers

            -Reported no success so far to have the Dalai Lama as speaker

            -Gov. Bobby Jindal has been contacted to serve as possible Hoff lecturer

            -Other names for speakers were suggested: Shashi Tharoor, Vikram Seth, Fareed Zakaria, Amitabh Bachhan, etc.

 7. Dr. Merwyn Bagan from FIENS asked for volunteers to promote international education in neurosurgery for one month stints.

8. Dr. Raj Narayan gave further details for next year’s CNS meeting

            -CNS has agreed to print “Friendship Conference with the Neurological Society of India” on the cover of the booklet for next year’s CNS meeting

            -Sub-themes for meeting: Defining excellence, Achieving excellence, Measuring excellence

            -The need to fill plenary sessions will require a large number of speakers (about 25 practical courses on Saturday and Sunday, and 53 luncheon seminars)

-Possible symposium on infectious diseases and trauma in the developing world

-Highlight excellence in Indian Neurosurgery in many other areas

-A symposium is being planned on Sunday

-Other possible speakers suggested  included Rashid Jooma, MD, neurosurgeon and recently    appointed Director General of Health of Pakistan

            -Speakers list to be submitted to CNS by Oct. 31, 2008.

9. Dr. Jogi Pattisapu appealed for pledges and discussed the formalization of accounts

            -AASAN members asked to join NSI ( $100 per year, $1000 life membership)

-Requested younger NSI and overseas members to become CNS VISTA members

-Introduced plan for visitors from India to spend some time at certain institutions in the US.

-Discussed that we need not pay the entire cost for visitors, and requested NSI members to support fundraising efforts as well. 

10. Dr. Basant Misra stated that every senior speaker must sponsor at least two young neurosurgeons

            -Independent fundraising by attendees should cover other associated costs

            -Young neurosurgeons that are to attend the CNS next year must have abstracts accepted and all visa formalities completed early.

11. Treasury report from Dr. Chander Kohli

            -Have 31 life members, 20 other dues-paid members

            -$39,650 in a CD

            -$9100 in CNS 2009 program account ($42K in pledges)

            -$2,160 in checking account

            -$4500 for the printing of brochures has been paid.

13. Dr. Ashwini Sharan reviewed Ambassador program – no sponsorships this year.

14. Dr. Raj Narayan reviewed the activity in the AASAN Fellowship Program – there appears to be growing interest in this fellowship. Please see attached for more details

15. Ms. Kim Antonetti was introduced and recognized for her help with the organization’s activities.

16. No other new business offered from the floor.

 Meeting adjourned at 6:55PM and members adjourned to Memories of India for dinner.

 Minutes taken by Girish Hiremath, Cleveland Clinic.