Government Affairs Committee

The Government Affairs Committee responds to and initiates opportunities to interact with government officials and public and private organizations on matters of science and technology policy, participates in or plans events related to those policies. The also aids the Board of Directors and the Board's External Relations Committee in identifying policy issues relevant to the Society's interests and prepares proposed responses, with supporting background material, for Board of Director consideration and disposition.

MRS members are welcome to raise policy issues with the committee. 

The subcommittees for this committee are:

  1. Congressional Fellow Subcommittee 
  2. Congressional Visits Subcommittee 
  3. Government Agency Sessions Subcommittee 
  4. Grass Roots Subcommittee 
Chair Nabil D. Bassim, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
HQ Liaison Todd Osman, MRS Executive Director

Subcommittees

Congressional Fellow Subcommittee

Chair Kevin Whittlesey, CA Inst for Regenerative Medicine
HQ Liaison Donna Gillespie, Government Affairs Coordinator

Selection of the MRS/OSA and MRS/TMS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows for a one-year assignment as a special legislative assistant on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee.  

Congressional Visits Subcommittee

Chair Bart Sheinberg, West Houston Ctr for Science & Engr
HQ Liaison Donna Gillespie, Government Affairs Coordinator

Plan for and encourage participation in the annual Congressional Visits Day (CVD), enlisting participation by MRS Board members and key volunteers. Also facilitate strategic Congressional visits by Board members or MRS volunteers, including visits to home district offices.

  • Find appropriate participants--invite MRS volunteers in key Congressional districts and States.
  • Determine issues to focus on and craft messages
  • Prepare background information to prepare for visits  

Government Agency Sessions Subcommittee

Chair Joshua Caldwell, U. S. Naval Research Laboratory
HQ Liaison Donna Gillespie, Government Affairs Coordinator

Identify and invite the appropriate government agencies for presentations at the Spring and Fall Meetings keeping in mind the relevance and importance of those agencies to meeting attendees. Agency representation will be consistent with the current strategic goals of the Society. 

Grass Roots Subcommittee

Chair Nabil Bassim, U. S. Naval Research Laboratory
HQ Liaison Donna Gillespie, Government Affairs Coordinator

Encourage MRS members to become engaged in governmental interactions.

  • Advertise and promote the Materials Voice and Public Affairs Alert portals for public engagement on current Congressional issues of significant concern to the materials research community
  • Coordinate publication of the quarterly Intersections e-Newsletter
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