{"id":3658,"date":"2026-02-03T10:07:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/?p=3658"},"modified":"2026-02-03T10:08:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:08:55","slug":"agm-and-social-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/2026\/02\/agm-and-social-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"AGM and Social 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Join the PDA as an Elected Officer!<\/span><\/strong>
\nAnnual General Meeting and Social – Tuesday 3rd March 2026<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

At this Annual General Meeting (AGM<\/span>) we will review the 2025-2026 year, talk about PDA operations and elect officers for the 2026-2027 term. Importantly, there will be the opportunity for attendees to learn more about the PDA and to network with other postdocs.<\/p>\n

All postdocs are invited!<\/p>\n

When:<\/strong> Tuesday March 3rd, 4:00pm-5:00pm (5:00pm onwards, in-person social).<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Room 1410, Life Sciences Institute (LSI), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver.<\/p>\n

Register for the\u00a0AGM<\/span>\u00a0HERE!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

We are excited to announce the call for nominations for candidates to be part of the UBC Postdoctoral Association\u2019s (PDA) 2026-2027 Executive Team!<\/p>\n

Do you want to join the PDA as an elected officer?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The PDA is run by Elected Volunteer Officers (the President and 7 Vice-Presidents). All 8 positions will be elected for the 2026-2027 year at the AGM<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The 8\u00a0positions\u00a0include:<\/p>\n

President
\nVP Operations
\nVP External
\nVP Communications
\nVP Social
\nVP Finance
\nVP Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
\nVP Wellbeing<\/p>\n

How to submit a nomination (DUE 27th February):<\/strong>
\nTo indicate your interest in running for an officer position, please download a copy of the nomination form, which can be found\u00a0here<\/a>, and e-mail us (ubc.postdoc@gmail.com<\/a>) your completed nomination package and the position you are interested in. (For technical reasons, please download a copy of the registration form and e-mail it to us rather than filling it out immediately after opening).<\/p>\n

Do you want to join the PDA as an executive member (non-elected position)?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We are always looking for new members to help us organize our events and provide new ideas! Just get in touch with us via\u00a0e-mail<\/a>\u00a0and\/or get a feel for what we do by joining our next meeting.<\/p>\n

Why you should join the UBC PDA:<\/strong>
\n\u2013 Represent the postdoc community
\n\u2013 Gain leadership and management experience
\n\u2013 Organize professional development, research and networking events
\n\u2013 Interact with big-name academics, advocates, and UBC leadership<\/p>\n

________________<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roles of the Elected PDA Members:<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nThe UBC PDA President shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Act as the public face of the PDA to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Speak on behalf of the PDA at the Postdoctoral Fellows Office\u2019s orientation for new postdocs and wherever appropriate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Understand the needs of PDA members and ensure equal representation across departments<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Be responsible for meetings of the PDA Executive members to:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Set up regular PDA meetings (via doodle poll) and arrange virtual meetings\/ a suitable venue on or off campus<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Chair and set the agenda for meetings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      Ensure proper operation of the meetings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. \n

      Take minutes at meetings, or designate a member to do so<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    5. \n

      Manage copies of the minutes, agendas, and any other materials<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Be responsible for the execution of decisions by the PDA Executives<\/p>\n

      Lead the Annual General Meeting and PDA Elections<\/p>\n

      Work together with the VP-Communications to:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        Direct content for communication to members of the UBC postdoc community<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      2. \n

        Manage and update the website<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      3. \n

        Respond to emails<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      4. \n

        Direct the advertisement of PDA events.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Work together with the VP-External to:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n

          Collaborate and communicate with the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        2. \n

          Raise awareness of postdoctoral issues and find avenues of support<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        3. \n

          Organize career-focused events for postdocs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Work together with the VP-Social to create a calendar of social events and ensure a broad outreach.<\/p>\n

          Work together with the VP-Operations to:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n

            Liaise effectively with the UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Office and Dean\u2019s Office<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          2. \n

            Represent the PDA during meetings with UBC faculty, staff and administrators<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          3. \n

            Coordinate the Executive Members of the PDA<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          4. \n

            Organize the annual Postdoc Research Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Work together with the VP-Finance to:<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \n

              Ensure responsible stewardship over the annual budget when planning events<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            2. \n

              Be aware of revenue outflow and inflow<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Work together with the VP-External and all elected and non-elected PDA executive members to ensure that the PDA\u2019s advocacy agenda is driven forward and communicated to the appropriate representatives of the UBC administration. The advocacy\/ outreach includes (but is not limited to) an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion agenda, as well as a discussion about working conditions for postdocs and concerns that postdocs face<\/p>\n

              **President and\/or VP-External may have the opportunity to attend the annual CAPA\/CAPS Meeting or the CSPC meeting.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

              ________________
              \nThe UBC PDA VP-Operations shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \n

                Organize professional development activities for postdocs together with the VP-External, President and the whole executive team.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              2. \n

                The VP-Operations is in the lead of organizing non-social UBC PDA events for postdocs (such as the annual Postdoc Research Day), with the help of the executive team.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              3. \n

                Attend and participate in meetings of the PDA executive members<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              4. \n

                Assist in all PDA executive members plan and ensure smooth running of the organization<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              5. \n

                Assist the President and VP-Communications in answering e-mails and updating the PDA\u2019s website<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              6. \n

                Perform duties of the President, in the event of absence or illness of the President<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              7. \n

                Work with the President, VP-External and VP-Communications to identify and collect job postings of interest for postdocs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                ________________
                \nThe UBC PDA VP-External shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. \n

                  Raise the voice of UBC postdoctoral fellows at regional and national platforms through participation and dialogues with the\u00a0Canadian Association for Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS-ACSP)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                2. \n

                  Build and promote alliance with various BC industrial sectors to create opportunities for researchers outside academia. The VP-External is in the lead of organizing career-focused events for postdocs (such as Career Networking Events), with the help of the executive team.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                3. \n

                  Work closely together with the SFU (Simon Fraser University) PDA and other trainee-led organizations in the Vancouver area, as well as the UBC Okanagan PDA, to organize joint events and facilitate networking<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                4. \n

                  Work with CAPS-ACSP to create and sustain dialogue with legislators to acknowledge the role of postdoctoral fellows and research associates to Canadian economy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                5. \n

                  Address or raise awareness for issues relevant to postdoctoral fellows and research associates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                6. \n

                  Work with the UBC PDA executive team and liaise with its partners<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                7. \n

                  Work with the President, VP-Operations and VP-Communications to identify and collect job postings of interest for postdocs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  **President and\/or VP-External may have the opportunity to attend the annual CAPA\/CAPS Meeting or the CSPC meeting.<\/em><\/p>\n

                  ________________
                  \nThe UBC PDA VP-Communications shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. \n

                    Be responsible for the development of the communication strategy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  2. \n

                    Manage communication activities that promote, enhance, and protect the PDA\u2019s brand reputation, including running the PDA\u2019s social media accounts, slack community and website<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  3. \n

                    Assist the President and VP-Operations in replying to e-mails<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  4. \n

                    Responsible for curating and disseminating news items relevant to UBC postdocs in the form of a monthly PDA newsletter, with the help of the President<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  5. \n

                    The VP-Communications is in the lead of organizing the annual 3 Minute Postdoc Slam, with the help of the executive team<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  6. \n

                    Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare presentations and other supporting material as needed during events<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  7. \n

                    Promote events<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  8. \n

                    Support the communications needs of the PDA and the Postdoctoral Fellows Office<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  9. \n

                    Work with the President, VP-Operations and VP-External to identify and collect job postings of interest for postdocs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    ________________
                    \nThe UBC PDA VP-Social shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. \n

                      Attend and participate in the three PDFO orientations each year, during which the VP Social shall advertise the PDA to the new postdocs and deliver a short presentation about \u201cGetting to know Vancouver\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    2. \n

                      Lead the planning, advertising and execution of social and networking events for postdocs, including<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. \n

                        Regular social events (around 1\/month) for the postdoc community (virtual or in-person)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      2. \n

                        The annual Whistler trip (organize to\/from Whistler and reserve accommodation at the UBC lodge or a hostel of choice)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      3. \n

                        Organize the Holiday party (venue reservation and run games e.g. \u201cwhite elephant\u201d)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n

                      4. \n

                        Work with the VP Finance and President to set a budget for the monthly social events<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        ________________
                        \nThe UBC PDA VP-Finance shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. \n

                          Draft an annual budget for submission to UBC<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        2. \n

                          Oversee correct use and spending of the UBC PDA budget and liaise with the Postdoctoral Fellows Office<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        3. \n

                          Maintain up-to-date records pertaining to PDA finances<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        4. \n

                          Be responsible for liasing with the PDA\u2019s banking institution and preparing cheques for reimbursements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        5. \n

                          Help organize events (3-Minute Postdoc Slam, Postdoctoral Research Day, seminars in general)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        6. \n

                          Arrange for an annual audit of the PDA finances at the end of the fiscal year<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          ________________
                          \nThe UBC PDA VP-Equity, Diversity and Inclusion shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. \n

                            Call EDI subcommittee meetings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                          2. \n

                            Set agenda for the EDI subcommittee meetings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                          3. \n

                            Be responsible for the distribution of resources (via Slack, Twitter, Newsletter) in collaboration with VP Communications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                          4. \n

                            Relay EDI information from CAPS (Canada Association of Postdoctoral Scholars) and work with CAPS on a national level<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                          5. \n

                            Oversee and take the lead in planning of EDI-related events<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                            ________________
                            \nThe UBC PDA VP Wellbeing shall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                              \n
                            1. \n

                              Lead the implementation and analysis of wellbeing surveys, organize events, and share important resources<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                            2. \n

                              Collaborate with UBC Wellbeing to shape initiatives that promote a healthy and supportive environment for Postdocs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              *Disclaimer: This position is subject to be officially added to the bylaws during the upcoming Annual General Meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              Join the PDA as an Elected Officer! Annual General Meeting and Social – Tuesday 3rd March 2026\u00a0 At this Annual General Meeting (AGM) we will review the 2025-2026 year, talk about PDA operations and elect officers for the 2026-2027 term. Importantly, there will be the opportunity for attendees to learn more about the PDA and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":104950,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142672,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-agm","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/104950"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3658"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3661,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658\/revisions\/3661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcpda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}