PDA Newsletter

Sat Nov 7 19:51:54 EST 2015

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Dear MIT Postdocs,

In this week's and the following newsletters, we are going to present our committees and their work to you. As you might guess, our intention is of course to catch your interest! Our committee chairs are looking for YOU - Uncle Sam with extended forefinger - to help organize events and to participate in the committees' activities. This is not meant as a threat or some such! This is just meant as an opportunity to learn about the committees' work and maybe find one where you immediately think "That's exactly what I was looking for to fill my scarce spare time!" You can of course also come to one of our monthly meetings to get a glimpse of us weird PDA people...the next meeting is in one week ;)

Have a great week!

Best,
Kathrin Graetz
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Corresponding Secretary
Postdoctoral Association of MIT (PDA)
pda.mit.edu<http://pda.mit.edu/>                        Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/groups/44093460815/>                      Twitter (@MITPDA)<https://twitter.com/MITPDA>                      LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/grps/MIT-Postdoc-2506720/about?>

Next PDA meeting:   November 16, 12pm @66-360  (changed room!)                     register here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-vT1gzgyik3JHFWaRgQwAVeVoiaoQFK7iP2MO4dtKwo/viewform>       Lunch will be provided!

This Week's Topics:

*         Feature on PDA committees:

o   Advocacy

o   Human Affairs

*         Upcoming PDA events

*         From the PDA PInG Initiatives (new Glimpse episode!)

*         Other events at MIT

Feature on PDA Committees:

Advocacy Committee (Co-Chairs: Martin Stewart & Murat Yildrim)
This committee fights to improve postdocs' life at MIT.

-          equal benefits regardless of funding source (Fellow or Associate)

-          50k minimum salary

-          establish a survey to understand the needs of postdocs

-          2-4 week temporary housing for postdocs moving to town for first

-          improve postdoc onboarding and welcoming to MIT
- ensuring that international postdocs get the best deal for visa
Are you interested in improving the plight of postdocs and MIT? Do you have ideas to contribute to the PDA advocacy initiatives? Then join our committee!

Human Affairs Committee (Chair: Claudia Wehrspaun)
This is a relatively new committee, and has been the main interface between the PDA and the MIT CRD (committee for race and diversity, a campus-wide initiative). The HA committee also supports other camps groups looking to increase inclusiveness.
Our aims are:

-          Encourage fair treatment, prevent and eliminate discrimination, and foster mutual understanding and respect among all postdocs

-          Initiate and manage health and wellness programs for postdocs (i.e. Postdoc REFS Program, Postdoc Women's Group, etc.)

Upcoming PDA Events:

PDA Sports:    https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Sport%20Activities%20for%20MIT%20Postdocs

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>From the PDA PInG Initiatives:

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POWER Pizza & Movie Night
Movie: Disney' Mulan
Date and Time: Friday, November 20, 7pm
Location: E17-517
(Kids welcome!)

[[GLIMPSE logo]]

Are you curious about other people's research at MIT? The MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is proud to present GLIMPSE podcast. GLIMPSE is a series of one-on-one interviews with postdocs across MIT campus. Next time you are running a long mundane experiment, throw on some headphones and meet your peers! Get a glimpse into their journey, research, and outlook. If you would like to be interviewed by GLIMPSE podcast or would like to help with the podcast (music, logo, artwork), please contact us at glimpse.podcast at gmail.com<mailto:glimpse.podcast at gmail.com>. For more information, please visit us at: http://glimpse.mit.edu/

Our guest for episode 2 is Dr. Virginia Burger, a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Collin Stultz' lab. Virginia is a computational biologist trying to figure out the different conformations of a disordered protein. In this episode we discuss bacterial suicide, wiggly proteins, and how to create your very own "feel good" folder!

Yoga Classes
on Wednesdays at 7:30pm at Marlar Lounge 37-252. Tickets and more info are available here.<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mit-yoga-postdoctoral-initiative-mypi-tickets-17836512489>
If you are interested in further classes starting the week of Nov. 18th (same location and time), our instructor is suggesting a reduced rate for postdocs and their spouses or partners: a 10 class session for $80 for the following dates:

Nov. 18, no class for Thanksgiving, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Dec. 16, 2 weeks break for Christmas and New Year's, Jan. 6, Jan. 13, Jan. 20, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10

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Other Events:

Community Dialogue on MIT Culture and Values
Luncheon to discuss MIT culture and values in small groups. This is a preliminary step towards the MIT Compact, the top recommendation of my community report last spring, which was endorsed by the Provost.
Date and Time: Monday, November 9, 11:45am - 1pm
Location: Student Center, W20-491
Lunch will be provided. RSVP here<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-institute-and-i-a-community-dialogue-on-community-at-mit-tickets-19303396980>

Think Big: Identifying Goals and Setting Priorities for Success (Sponsored by MIT Work-Life)

In this workshop you will gain insight to help you set goals for success in work and life. First we will explore the core values that motivate you. Then, we will work together to help you leverage your priorities and set goals for a successful and enriching career and life.

Date and Time: Friday, November 20, 12 - 1pm
Location: E19-603
RSVP<http://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-series-navigating-your-life-and-career-tickets-18043727274>

Maximizing the Postdoctoral Period
Date and Time: Monday, November 23, 3 - 4:30 pm

Enriching Your Mentoring Relationships (Sponsored by the Office of the VPR)
see http://postdocs.mit.edu/news/enriching-your-mentoring-relationships
Speaker: Joanne Kamens, Executive Director, Addgene
Date and Time: Monday, December 7, 2015, from 3 - 4:30 pm

Mindfulness for Stress Reduction (Sponsored by MIT Work-Life)
see http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/seminars/professionals
at Noon

Free affiliate membership with the National Postdoctoral Association: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/?page=individual_members

Other helpful sites:
postdocs.mit.edu (Office VPR)
MIT GECD Events<https://gecd.mit.edu/mit-events>
MIT Spouses&Partners Events<http://spouses.mit.edu/mit-events>
MIT Events<http://events.mit.edu/>
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