Hello all,
This is the business meeting update for the Forensic Professional Technical Group following the 69th Annual Meeting (ASPIRE) this year.
Firstly, we have some discussions from present members as to things we can improve about our current presentation on the TG website and profile. Some members proposed updating the language to describe the function of the group, for which a new blurb will be drafted for voting in 31 days (on 19 November). Additionally, we received additional guidance on how best to reach group members, and so if you know of anyone who is in this group and not receiving this message, please connect them with myself and we can work to solve this issue together to help keep them in the loop.
Secondly, we have proposals from people present at the meeting as to events and programs we can add this coming year to improve the benefits from membership within this group. These examples included seminars/informational sessions, which included options as follows:
- Viable Evidence Standards Summary
- Review of how to assess evidence from your side as well as from an opposition
- Online and in-person mock trials
- Pitched to attorneys as marketing opportunities either to local groups or allies of the TG members
- Stress Response Training (for when grilled in a cross examination)
-
Groups with other TGs specifically at either the Annual Conference or at the Regional Conferences throughout the year with groups such as: Standards, Automation, Standards, or any others that members of the TG have connections to that can provide our team with good experience
We will be accepting and reviewing proposals for these through the election window and for 2 weeks following. Please send those ideas to me via email (
bwestby@iastate.edu) to collect and communicate to leadership and the TG as a whole.
Thirdly, we are once again searching for any nominations for the TG Chair and Program Chair. The document of necessary responsibilities can be found attached to this notification. This nomination window will be open for the next 30 days (until 18 November), at which point we will be sending out a ballot for elections for those nominated to these positions. Please send any nominations to me to collect and present to the leadership group and place on the ballot.
Finally, we have been able to start figuring out the communication issues we have been facing, and ideally that means everyone will be seeing communication more frequently from here on.
Best,
Braden Westby
FPTG Communications Officer