GESSS Resources

This area is an online portal for GESSS Committee Members to obtain resources to assist within planning, developing and delivering GESSS.

Organising a GESSS is a unique professional experience for early career researchers. Successfully running such a great event does take time and effort, but when everyone involved is keen and enthusiastic, you will realise that rather than being a daunting task, it is an exciting and rewarding challenge.

Who should be on our Committee?

Each committee should have an executive made up of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. At a minimum, all four Executive Committee members must be GSA Members to ensure that the committee and the events are covered by the GSA’s volunteer insurance policy. Your divisional contact can help you to become a Member.

Click here for details of the recommended committee structure and roles

What should we do first?

  • Once you have assembled your committee, you will need to write a proposal to the GSA outlining your proposed date, venue and budget. We suggest a date from late October to end of November, aiming to avoid other conferences (like AGU, etc.) and exam periods.
  • Universities or government facilities make great venues! They will be able to provide poster boards, AV systems and are usually able to be engaged free of charge.
  • There is start-up seed funding from the GSA that rolls over year to year, so you will have $1000 to get going with any early expenses.
  • We suggest you also think about what you will do to distinguish your event to make people more interested in attending.

How do we get help?

  • Previous GESSS Committees will have templates for all critical aspects of the symposium to pass on to you. Things like budgets, sponsorships letter, previous run sheets, advertising templates and swag. A lot of these you can re-use and update and it will save you a heap of time.
  • Additional guidelines and templates are available here in this online portal via the menu, including details of how to attract sponsorship, finance arrangements, timelines and a comprehensive operating manual.
  • If there’s anything else you need, GSA division contacts and mentors are always available to help you. Your GESSS Division Contacts and Mentors are:

NSW

Jo Parr
[email protected]

Phil Gilmore
[email protected]
02 4931 6533

QLD

Nick Dyriw
[email protected]

SA

Caroline Tiddy
[email protected]

TAS

Peter McGoldrick
[email protected]

WA
Peter Kinny
[email protected]

 

What happens when it’s over?

The GSA will host a dinner for the committee to express our gratitude and congratulations on what we are sure will be an amazing event! By this time, you should be discussing among your committee who will step up to lead the next year’s GESSS, and arrange to transfer the resources and know-how you have accumulated to the new committee. Finally, add a line to your CV and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.