A message from the Boston PDA

[Natalia M Barbour]

Hi MIT Postdocs,


Please see the message from Boston Postdoctoral Association below:


To Boston postdocs,

We hope this message finds you safe and healthy. We'd like to update you all, not just on the state of the Boston Postdoctoral Association, but on our take on the status of postdocs in the Boston region.
Boston postdocs are not unfamiliar with resilience in the face of adversity. Most of us at some point have struggled with difficult projects, challenging PIs and institutions, uncertain futures, long hours, and financial difficulties. This is a reality that extends beyond the purview of the BPDA, and one that we have limited (though growing) power to bolster against. However, we are confident that this resilience is a resource that we can all draw on in difficult times. And to the extent that the BPDA can support you, we promise to do so.
Here's where the BPDA is at currently. We've recently applied for 501c(6) non-profit status, which is a massive and historic step in the representation of postdocs in Boston and beyond, after several years of effort by dedicated volunteers. I'm extremely proud of this work, and excited for this next step in our collective journey. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are secure for the foreseeable future due to sound planning over the past few years and our nature as a volunteer-driven organization. We are actively pursuing initiatives to support Boston postdocs in need during the COVID pandemic and re-opening process.

To that end, we recognize that 1) our social events, which we believe served a valuable need for Boston postdocs, will be impossible for the foreseeable future; and 2) socializing and rapid communication are critical needs for Boston postdocs in isolation. To address this, we've set up a Slack hub for Boston postdocs to socialize, network, advocate, commiserate, or whatever else you'd like. It's available here: https://join.slack.com/t/bostonpostdocs/shared_invite/zt-emc7455v-i6gfge7KPUx7GariUstGNA . We look forward to chatting with you.
Finally, for international postdocs concerned with their visa/immigration status, we've received an offer of support from local attorney Rachel Casseus (casseuslaw.com<http://casseuslaw.com>). Rachel Casseus has offered to do free green card eligibility consultations for Boston postdocs, has a reduced green card rate for Boston postdocs, and will be doing immigration webinars for postdocs in the future. You can reach her through her website<http://casseuslaw.com> or email (rachel at casseuslaw.com<mailto:rachel at casseuslaw.com>). (Note: the BPDA does not have a financial relationship/partnership with Rachel Casseus and can not endorse or guarantee her services, although she has been supportive of the BPDA and its members in the past.)
We're all, individually, doing our best to service our obligations to our research, our communities, our friends and families, and ourselves. The BPDA is made up of postdoc volunteers that are trying to do our best to help each other out in these goals. We welcome your support, understanding, and contribution. We genuinely believe that together we will emerge from this crisis stronger than we were at its onset.
With heartfelt best wishes from the leadership of the Boston Postdoctoral Association,
Ian Mahar
President, BPDA

Natalia

Regards,
Natalia Barbour, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, MIT-DUSP
Corresponding Secretary
MIT Postdoctoral Association
nataliabarbour.com<https://www.nataliabarbour.com/> | @natalia_barbour



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