Present: Jane Pendergast, Katherine Monti, Janet Wittes, Butch Tsiatis, Marie Davidian, Linda Young, Joanna Shih, Elizabeth Margosches, Judith O'Fallon, Stacy Lindborg, Kathy Hoskins, Craig Borkowfski, Karen Bandeen-Roche, Anika Szabo, Tim Gregoire, Ji Zhang, Lance Waller, Bruce Craig, Alicia Toledano, Yali Liu

Introduction and welcome
Peter welcomed all to the business meeting.

Financial Report
Joanna handed out and reviewed ENAR's financial statement. As of 2004, the ENAR balance was about $350,000 with net revenue of approximately $53,000. First, Joanna drew attention to a few items, notably, the JSM revenue represents the sum of the 2003 and 2004 JSM, but from now on revenue will represent the contracted amount per year ($11,200). Second, Joanna noted that the meeting expense last year was up about $50,000, the main components of the increase being greater attendance (so more food/beverage), an approximately $10,000 increase in AV costs, and a $15,000 increase in management fees. (The last item reflects the first year of a 2-year increase in management fees totaling $20,000). Third, Joanna noted that ENAR hosted a Young Researcher Workshop last year but not this year.

Discussion included clarification of additional costs (AV and management) associated with recent spring meetings.

ENAR 2005
Peter reviewed the current meeting: 1035 attendees, ~230 taking shortcourses, ~240 taking tutorials, and ~180 for the social event. There were 40 invited sessions, 5 IMS invited sessions, 1 special contributed session, and 52 contributed sessions.

ENAR 2006
Jane announced Montse Feuntes as the Program Chair and Jose Pinheiro as Co-Chair for ENAR 2006 in New Orleans, and Brent Coull as the ENAR representative to the JSM 2006 Program Committee. Jane noted the limited space available in New Orleans and announced that we may not be able to accept all contributed papers. Authors will be asked if they would be willing to present a poster, but we may need to take abstracts on a 1st come/1st served basis. Linda Young asked how much we would need to cut back for the 11 concurrent sessions available? Peter noted the increase in the number of invited sessions in ENAR 2005, noting that reduction to previous levels would open up more contributed sessions.

IBS Strategic Planning
Peter summarized the IBC Strategic Plan, noting that Stacy Lindborg will be joining the effort and the incoming IBS President (Tom Louis) is a past president of ENAR. Peter noted two components of the Strategic Plan that are of primary interest to ENAR. The first is to position our profession to increase awareness of our role to the scientific community and the general public. The second involves education, especially international outreach. ENAR can take a leading role in this by assisting developing countries in development of training programs in biometry, providing distance learning resources, and perhaps a shortcourse subsidy allowing attendees from developing countries. Marie added the plan is available on the Member's Only section of the IBS website and that comments are welcome. Craig suggested a public teaching day for the media or local government with scheduled topics (e.g., clinical trials, surveys). Linda and Karen noted a similar initiative by ASA and noted strategies for increasing involvement. Jane added the idea of press releases for timely sessions. Peter noted that RECOM will consider this suggestion.

By-laws review
Peter noted that it is time for the 5-year review of ENAR by-laws and that he would be appointing a committee to do so.

Membership discussion
Discussion addressed the need to stress the importance of membership in a professional society to young/new professionals in the field. Topics included writing up "Why join a professional society?", review of Presidental Invited addresses, and closer monitoring of how many student award winners maintain membership (either in ENAR if they stay in the regions, or IBS more generally).

Floor discussion
Craig noted that current shortcourse pricing does not include a discount for students. Peter noted that student volunteers receive complementary enrollment in one shortcourse.

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Lance Waller (ENAR Secretary)