Know Your Committees. There are 15 standing and ad-hoc CAPS Committees that work to carry out CAPS’ mission. CAPS Bylaws require the establishment of certain committees, while others are born of necessity to address specific issues. Descriptions for all of CAPS’ Committees and their responsibilities can be found within either the CAPS Bylaws or the CAPS Policy Manual. Over the next few weeks, CAPS will highlight the important tasks that fall to each of our Committees.
Bylaws and Policy Committee. This Committee periodically reviews the CAPS Bylaws and Policy Manuals and discusses and brings forth Bylaws and Policy language changes for review and approval by the CAPS Board of Directors. Bylaws changes must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors.
Elections Committee. This Committee, made up of CAPS members who will not be candidates for office in the election they have been appointed to oversee, is charged with conducting the CAPS Board of Directors Elections in accordance with the CAPS Bylaws and Policy Manuals, and applicable rules and laws.
Benefits Committee. This Committee is responsible for the establishment and administration of CAPS members’ insurance and other membership-related benefits. A majority of this committee’s activity includes reviewing CAPS members’ and their dependents’ quarterly professional grant and annual scholarship applications, respectively.
Need a little extra money to offset Holiday spending? CAPS now offers a $50 incentive for recruiting new members, whether they are Rank-and-File, Supervisory or Managerial State Scientists. The online membership application form can be located on the CAPS website here. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. Make sure the applicant fills in the “referred by” field to receive your bonus! CAPS has already issued our first round of bonus checks.
Know Your Rights. License Renewal Fees. CAPS MOU, Section 6.6, compels the State to reimburse permanent full-time employees who are required by law to maintain a license or certification as a condition of employment for the actual cost of the license renewal fees in effect on July 1 of each year. If you are required by law to maintain a license as a condition of employment, and encounter trouble with the receiving reimbursement, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org)!
News Briefs.
The secret Richmond lab where Bay Area crab season annually learns its fate – Each year, the fate of Northern California’s Dungeness crab season is in the hands of a few scientists in a quiet East Bay lab examining a small container of tan goo. The Chronicle was granted an exclusive tour of the state public health lab in Richmond this month, when scientists explained the intricate process that helps determine whether California crab pots will be filled for the holiday season.
Aging, Wildfires, Potential Pandemics: A Q&A with Dr. Charity Dean, California Dept. of Public Health – Dr. Dean, CDPH’s Assistant Director, talks about flu shots, emergency management, predictive analytics – and what public health issue keeps her up at night.