Reunions - Little, Big, Enormous,...

Hi,
Do we have someone who wants to plan a reunion?

Sebastian

Hey guys.

Sorry that I'm that late.
Actually I remember at least 4 reunions. The first one was after Symbiose in Oslo. It took place in Groningen, there were not to many people, maybe around 10. There was no special program, more or less social contacts, party, whatever people liked to do. We slept in other symbionts flats.
second one was, hmm actually I'm not that sure, but I think after Croatia we had two. One in Cologne (my place) and one in Groningen again (Wouters place) Both were some bigger, the one in Groningen quite huge. After Finnland we met again in Cologne, as Emilia wrote. There must have been some more reunions that where not open to everyone, but let's don't call this inofficial ones reunions.
Problem with reunions is the date. This year in May there should have been one in Portugal. Noone showed of.
I think a good timing is as short as possible after Symbiose. Like November lately...
WE SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ANY REUNION PROGRAMM. That's important and necessary. Whoever wants to organize something like that: There are hardly more than 2 or 3 persons willing to organize. So it's much work, especially in such a short time to fix any programm!!! If the organizers wants to do so, why not. But no "rules" or things like "we should try to make it more serious". That's nonsense. It is ment to have fun. If you want to have discussions you can easily start it on such a small group!
It's really enough work to have a look for a room to sleep and shower;)
And, of course, everyone that wants to organize a reunion: Go for it! We could have 10 in one year, they are not that big than, but still. It's worth it.
About DinoReunion: We are not far enough to discuss that here! That's what I think. So lets start organizing that and inform everyone when it's time for that!OK?
That's it,
hugs to everyone!
Till

The DinoReunion point was to try to contact everyone from past symbioses (not only the more than 3 years) and gather them (or the ones that are willing to) to discuss things like the weather, the beer politics in Europe, the future of science and so on. Maybe asking what symbiose contributed to their way of seeing biology, in which way it was important for them and if there is a space and a will to construct a little further.

In my opinion, things could go a little further and organize something that is not specialized like a meeting that is not European Society of evolutionary Biology or molecular biology or whatsoever specialized. Just biology where we could have any kind of research presented. Maybe something like Nature and not Nature Immunology if I make myself clear. And all with the Symbiotic way of thinking, which is a positive, anticompetition one. Maybe we can do a little more than what we are doing.

Anyway... this would be held in 2 years and not now, so that everything would be well prepared. Patrick is starting somekind of mailing list so that people that want to organize it and that have ideas could contribute.

Here in this topic we should discuss the Reunions that will be held this year and that allow people to travel a little more in Europe and attend some events as well as speaking about beer fermentation process.

See you later,

Jorge

Ciao,

I have participated in 2 reunions so far and here are some facts about last years:
1) Between SymBioSEs in Croatia and Finland (Easter 2005) there was a reunion in Groningen, Netherlands at Wouter's house. Around 25 symbionts (dutch, finnish, croatian, german, norwegian, Jorge...), 4 days. Sleeping in Wouter's floor (or on a bed...) Some scientific program: we went to the sea to collect samples with croatians :) Otherwise: sights of the city, Viking chess and party with local biology students. Very much fun ;) , thank's guys.
2) Between Finland and Italy (11.11.2005) in Cologne (Köln). 3 days (???), for some a bit longer... around 15 people (portuguese, finnish, norwegian, greeck (visiting), german, dutch, Jorge). Sleeping in a room at University. Possibility in the morning to take a shower :)! Carneval of Köln, not that big scientific program... Fun :) fun :)

Now I understood that many people want to organise a reunion. Hope they all wil be successfull and maybe this tactic will increase the number of participants! I know that portuguese tried to organise a reunion this spring, but at the end no one went there so it was called off. People really don't have time and money to travel a lot all over Europe for weekends. So the idea of having many reunions that people could kind of choose from is nice!

I think reunion might also include some more serious things, we should say a workshops for example or then discussions... Tour of the university, excursions. You organisers decide! Just try to make it as open as possible and advertise to everyone!!! a lot...

Also, the dinoreunion... No organiser yet? Baltic sea?

Hope to see you all soon,
Emilia

Ciao!

In the past, reunions lastet from thursday to sunday and the biggest had about 20 participants. I guess there have never been elements beside the "socializing" part, but feel free to try something new. Of course there is the possibilty to have more than one reunion per year. So everybody who wants to organize one just go for it. The Time a reunion takes place is not really improtant, but you should anounnce it early enough. If you need help organizing a reunion just feel free to ask.

Hope to see you soon,

Patrick

Ciao,

I'll second Tea's comment, as I've never been to a reunion either, but would really like to organize one in Oslo. When and how does it usually occur and are there any mandatory elements except from "socializing" that we should remember to incorporate in our plans?

If both Freiburg, Croatia and Oslo are serious about their intents on arranging reunion, why not have all three of them during our waiting time for Latvia '07? One could have it in, say, October, another in January and the last one in April?

Just tossing out ideas...

Adine

Dear guys,

Since I have no idea what did the reunions look like before, could you tell me which month would you like it to be, how long shall it last and how many people usually come?

Then I can talk to Croatians and figure out if we could arrange something.

Ciao

Tea

Dear Jorge,
I think we should think about it. But also not take it away from people that are already thinking about a reunion in Freiburg, Oslo and somewhere in Croatia if I remember correct. But you can offer them our help and promise to come if they invite us. Or are you planning one in Paris yourself?

Sebastian

Hello everyone,

Should we start to think about a little Reunion?

See you soon,

Jorge

I would like to go to a Reunion... but I think that is different from wanting to plan a Reunion.

Jorge