M&M 2008 student bursary and volunteer request

[Amanda M. Lawrence]

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Greetings,
This is the first announcement for students who will attend the Microscopy and Microanalysis Meeting in Albuquerque, Aug.3-7 and would like to apply for a Student Bursary to help defray meeting costs. The complete description of the Bursary is listed below, including the registration process.  

The contact person this year that will coordinate the initial student bursary sign-up is: Amanda Lawrence ([hidden email] ).  Clayton Lohen ([hidden email]) will be helping with coordination of bursary activities once on site.

STUDENT BURSARIES
The Microscopy Society of America values student members and recognizes that they are the future of both the society and the field of microscopy in general. MSA is therefore pleased to offer student bursaries of $200 to registered students. The most important purpose of these bursaries is to encourage students to attend the annual MSA/MAS Microscopy and Microanalysis meeting, where these young scientists can meet and interact with the established microscopy community as well as assisting with the meeting.

Each bursary recipient will be expected to work for a minimum of 20 hours during the meeting and/or at the pre-meeting weekend events. A student may work up to an additional 20 hours, for a total of 40 hours. These extra hours will add to the bursary total at a rate of $10 per hour. The maximum bursary will therefore be $400. The duties will involve, but are not necessarily limited to, providing support in symposia (helping with audio-visual needs, maintaining an attendance count, and helping speakers set up for their presentation), staffing the MSA Megabooth, and monitoring use of the Internet Cafe. Applicants for the bursaries must be members of MSA or MAS, and enrolled as students at a recognized educational institution. All MSA or MAS student members are eligible for bursaries, including those who are recipients of MSA Presidential Scholars Awards and MAS Distinguished Scholar Awards. Eligible on the conference website, or at on-site registration. Bursaries are limited and early application is encouraged.   Don't forget to check the website for special student housing discounts as well.

How it works:
The registration form for the meeting will have a check box indicating that the applicant is a registered student and is requesting a bursary. The check box will have a note beside it reminding the applicant that the bursary requires them to work at the meeting.

Students who have applied for bursaries will be contacted by the initial student bursary co-coordinator (Amanda) to schedule meeting tasks prior to arrival in Albuquerque.  The student is then expected to fulfill their assigned tasks and will be issued forms which must be signed by all of the contact persons listed, indicating that all assigned tasks have been performed. Upon completion of assignments and submission of the signed forms, the bursary check will be issued by the appropriate LAC representative.

We would also like to solicit volunteers from 'non-students' as well to help with meeting activities.

Should you have questions , please contact:

Amanda Lawrence  ([hidden email])
Electron Microscope Center
100 Twelve Lane
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662)-325-3019 Work
(662)-325-0246 Fax