TX Branch Helping Those Who Lost Homes to Fire

AALAS member Jeanette Pearson from the Texas Branch of AALAS reported: "Recently, we found out that 14 people who work for MD Anderson Bastrop and Smithville lost their homes to the wildfires." To provide temporary relief, an MD Anderson Caring Fund has been established. TBAALAS has posted information on their website about how to donate.

Try the AALAS Mobile Website for the National Meeting

We created a beta mobile website for you to try out this year at the AALAS National Meeting. You can find general information, education sessions, exhibitor booth numbers and categories, and maps of the convention center and Marriott hotel.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view the site:

AALAS National Meeting Update

Register Before September 16 To Avoid Lines in San Diego
September 16 is the last day to register online or by fax for the National Meeting. After this date attendees must register on site in the convention center. The price is $350 for members and $440 for nonmembers.

When registering for the meeting, don't forget to consider the best value registration package. This registration includes access to the National Meeting On Demand site which, when launched after the meeting concludes, will give you access to the sessions that were recorded. Prices go up if you register on site, so be sure to purchase your access to the site now!

In addition, if you plan on attending workshops, please register as soon as possible. Workshops are quickly filling up. To register, click here.


Housing/Shuttle Reservations
Friday, September 2 is the last day to book hotel rooms at the discounted AALAS rate. Attendees to the National Meeting must make their own housing reservations through the San Diego Housing Bureau. To book your reservations, click here.

Shuttle service has been arranged for attendees of the AALAS National Meeting. To book service, please click here or call 1-800-blue-van and use code SMUKB. 

 
Educational Program
Start planning your itinerary today! Panel discussions, seminars, special topic lectures, technical trade presentations, and workshops have all been scheduled and can be viewed here.

Poster and platform abstracts are now available on the Itinerary Planner and will be printed in the September issue of JAALAS, as well as the Final Program.


Volunteers Needed
Facilitators are still needed to assist in most sessions during the meeting. Responsibilities vary  but often include passing out handouts, working with the moderator to ensure that the speaker can be heard at the back of the room, and helping attendees find seats. Facilitators do not introduce speakers.

Registration to the AALAS National Meeting is not waived for those who volunteer to serve as facilitators; however, your name does go into a drawing for a free registration to next year's meeting or for one of two $25 gift certificates to the AALAS Bookstore.  

For more information or to register, please click here.

We Are Looking for a Few Good Poster Judges!

Over 300 posters will be on display at the 62nd AALAS National Meeting in San Diego. If you would like to help judge a portion of these posters, please email John McCutchen at john.mccutchen@aalas.org by September 7. You’ll need to be available to attend a half-hour meeting at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 3 and also be available on Tuesday morning for approximately 1 to 2 hours for the actual judging.

Leadership Academy Set for AALAS National Meeting

Thank you AALAS Board of Trustees and Branch Presidents for your assistance in recruiting 50 nominees from 33 of our branches to attend the 2011 Leadership Academy. This equates to 72% of our active branches being represented. The following  branches will have members in the 2011 Leadership Academy:  Appalachian, Arizona, Central Ohio, Central Pennsylvania, Chicago, Delaware Valley, Florida, Kansas City,  Kentucky, Louisiana, Metro New York, Michigan, Mid South, Mile High, Minnesota, National Capital Area, New England, New Jersey, Northern Mountain, Northern Rocky Mountain, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palms to Pines, Research Triangle, San Diego, Southeastern, Southern California, Southern New England, Southern Wisconsin, Texas, Three Rivers, Upstate New York and Washington.

2011 AALAS Election Results

Congratulations to the newly elected national AALAS officers:

Vice President-Elect 
Scott A. Mischler, DVM, PhD, DACLAM

District 1 Trustee
Tracy A. Lewis, BS, MBA, CMAR, RLATG

District 2 Trustee 
Deyanira I. Santiago, BS, MBA, RLATG
Laura H. Mistretta, BS, MBA, LATG (Alternate)

District 3 Alternate Trustee 
Christine McNickle, BS, LATG

District 4 Trustee 
Christopher S. King, DVM, DACLAM

District 4 Alternate Trustee
Catherine J. Bernstein, MS, CMAR, RLATG

District 6 Trustee
Terrie L. Grove
Cherylann Gieseke, LATG (Alternate)

District 7 Trustee
Karen S. Montijo, BS, MBA, CMAR, RLATG

How to Search Online for AALAS Members

A reminder that you can search online for AALAS members. Once you log in, simply click on the Advanced Search link. The system only allows AALAS members to perform searches.