The 2000 BSA Genetics Section Business Meeting convened at 11:15 am August 9 in Portland, OR. We accomplished much in 1½ hours over a great lunch. If you didn't make it to the business meeting this year, plan to join your sectional colleagues in Albuquerque next year.

The following items of business were accomplished:

• The BSA Council representative reported briefly on Council business. (An expanded report can be accessed through the Genetics Section Homepage.) Discussion ensued.
• As the Secretary/Treasurer's position is still vacant, the Chair provided a brief report of the Section's financial status. Our cash account contains $5,603.10 not including the $700.00 Genetics Allocation from the Society. The M. Menzel Memorial Award fund contains $2832.48.
• It was agreed by consensus to increase the amount of the Menzel Award from $100.00 to $200.00 beginning in 2001.
• It was agreed by consensus to award one Graduate Student Research Award in 2001. Richard Whitkus agreed to chair the committee. The award will be for $500.00 with the possibility of additional travel support to present the work upon completion. Only dues paying members of the Section and the BSA will be eligible for the award. Discussion focussed on what the Section could reasonably do over the long term without exhausting its cash account. For that reason, only one award will be made initially and the chair will investigate corporate funding.
• Vance Baird, R. C. Jackson, and Richard Whitkus agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee so that we can hold an election for Secretary/Treasurer.
• Their was discussion concerning the Genetics Section Newsletter. The position of Editor is vacant, however. Without an Editor...
• Two years ago, the Section voted to create a Genetics Section Poster Award. That will be implemented at the 2001 meeting. The award will be a certificate, $100.00, and a BSA Banquet ticket.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeri W. Higginbotham, Chair