Dear TASA TG convenors,

This message is to bring four things to your attention:

(1) It's that time when TG convenors (who haven't already) need to find new convenors for the next 2-year term (2023-2025). The typical way to do this is to email all members in your TG advising that your term is coming to an end on 29 November 2023 and calling for expressions of interest to convene the group for the next two years. There is no formal nomination form. TGs are allowed from 1 up to a maximum of 4 convenors (not including postgrad reps). If you get 5 or more members wanting to convene (not counting PG reps), then an election process will need to occur, which we can assist with (just let us know). Conveners are allowed to do a second term if no one else expresses interest after the call or if they are elected during an election process. Note: typically, TG convenors are confirmed at a TG AGM which is held at TASA's annual conference. However, given the scaled down nature of this year's TASA Colloquium, not all TGs will meet in-person in November (more on meeting options below). If you have question about the process for finding new TG Convenors, please get in touch.

(2) A minority of TGs will be meeting at next month's TASA Colloquium (most have elected not to). For those who are, meetings will take place on Wed 29 Nov at 1230-130pm. These can be hybrid meetings. For those TGs which want to meet but cannot do so at the Colloquium, online/zoom meetings, held separately at a convenient time, may represent a more practical alternative.  

(3) In addition to TG meetings at the TASA Colloquium, we will also be holding a hybrid meeting for all TG Convenors on Tues 28 Nov at 1245-130pm. We will send out a zoom link closer to the time. Note: if you already have new convenors for your TG, then they should aim to attend this meeting. In addition, having outgoing and incoming convenors attend the meeting together may assist with the handover (up to you). 

(4) The TG Convenors Manual has been updated. To highlight the main changes, (a) TGs can now have up to 4 convenors; (b) from 2024, all TASA-funded events must use a registration portal on TASA’s website; (c) when contacting members of your TG, convenors must do so through the TG email distribution list by logging in via TASA’s website TG convener control panel. The updated manual is available here or on the website.  

As always, if you have questions or just want to reach out, don't hesitate to get in touch. 

Stay safe, best wishes

Tom