RPS Business meeting was held , 6-7pm at the Hyatt, Capitol Ballroom 1, Denver, CO, March 1, 2008

The meeting was called to order by president Mark Haas. 35 members were in attendance.

1.      There was a moment of silence in memory of Gloria Gallo and the meeting proceeded with approval of the agenda.

2.      Surya Seshan presented the membership with an update of the RPS – KUFA joint ventures (see details under BOD minutes)

3.      Samy Iskandar was proposed to the position of Society Historian and approved by the membership.

4.      A charitable donation in memory of Dr. Gloria Gallo was approved.

5.      A motion to update the bylaws to include the new position of the society’s historian, monetary compensation for maintaining the website and provide funds to Helen’s secretary periodically and as needed were met with membership approval.

6.         Helen Liapis will continue as secretary for a second 3 year term. Helen discussed the budget funds/balance, total number of members and status of dues payments. 22 members have paid the increased (sustaining member) annual dues so far into 2008.

7.          Committee Reports

          Education & Scientific – Jim Pullman presented the program of the 5^th satellite conference

          Nominating & Awards – Steve Bonsib withheld the names of the awardees until later in the  evening dinner.

          Program – Tibor Nadasdy had no final program for USCAP 2009 at this time.

          Research – Franco Ferrario (in absentia). The New IgA classification and the meeting to be     held in Oxford in April 2008 was discussed.

          Training Program – Serena Bagnasco

          Serena requested the input of members to issues regarding adequate evaluation of non-tumor tissue in nephrectomy specimens. The aim will be to develop best practices     guidelines.

          Membership – Carmen Avila-Casado (for I. Bajema)

          Members with unpaid dues for >2 years was proposed to be dropped from membership. There were no objections.

          Financial – David Thomas

         David presented criteria governing payment of travel expenses for speakers at RPS symposia, specialty conferences and satellite meetings, and RPS-sponsored symposia at the ASN and other international meetings.  These were met with approval.

         Communications & Publications – Suzanne Meleg-Smith

         Moving the RPS web site from New York to St. Louis and separating the positions of webmaster and Communications & Publications committee chair. The proposal was met with approval.

         International – Surya Seshan

         Surya presented the initiatives of her committee to help meet the needs of foreign members and outlined the RPS involvement in Latin America. The 6^th RPS-KUFA satellite conference will take place in Mexico City in April 2009. Further details of this committee’s initiatives are under BOD minutes.

         Arthur Cohen commented on COMGAN’s new initiatives in developing countries which     include support for development of renal pathology laboratories. Two departments have been identified so far, one in Brazil and one in Chile. Agnes Fogo commented on the fact   that ISN-COMGAN is currently short in funds, due to loss of income from the meeting held in Rio. While COMGAN is supportive of such initiatives, funding depends upon available budget.

8.      Changes in the nominations process for new councilors. A maximum of 3 candidates will appear on the ballot. It is going to require a short paragraph of the nominee’s biosketch and consent of the candidate prior to including him/her in the ballot. Amendment of the Presidents Manual on councilor’s election process was agreed.

The meeting was adjourned at 7pm.