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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dear ASA Members,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As described in the President's Report** to the AGM yesterday, ASA Council is proposing a "COVID-fund" to provide financial support for members in their professional activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ASA </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US">Strategic Plan highlighted support for students (and ECRs) in our community. With the savings in travel funds for students in
2020 due to COVID-19 restricting travel, Council has been discussing ways in which we can support the community. Council are proposing a COVID-fund to re-purpose some of the unspent funds. Points for consideration:</span>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US">Open to all members, but priority for students and ECRs</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US">Available for non-salary related expenses associated with scientific research. Options include, but are not limited to, online conference registration fees, interim childcare
during conferences, travel to observatories, travel to domestic meetings, professional development and career development programs to increase job prospects.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US">Proposals capped at $1,500 per person (but with the expectation of smaller requests), and a total available capped fund from ASA surplus.</span></li></ol>
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ASA Council are seeking feedback from the members about the proposal, and its scope. In particular,
<i>we seek input on the range of non-salary professional activities that may be considered, and the prioritisation of membership groups for the fund.</i></div>
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Feedback is requested to me, via email, by <b>COB Friday July 17</b>.</div>
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Input will be collated and discussed within ASA Council.<br>
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Regards,</div>
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Cathryn<br>
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** Report available at: <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/-ZTTCp81lrtMKw1gCP-g1w?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au" id="LPlnk384742">
http://asa.astronomy.org.au/council_reports/President_Rep_2020.pdf</a><br>
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<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">_______________________________________________________<br>
Cathryn Trott<br>
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Associate Professor</div>
<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">ARC Future Fellow</div>
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<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">President, Astronomical Society of Australia<br>
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ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)</span><br>
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International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research<br>
Curtin University<br>
Bentley WA, Australia<br>
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cathryn.trott@curtin.edu.au<br>
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