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			 **   THE GEM MESSENGER   **
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                                                        Volume 19, Number 25
                                                            October 23, 2009
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Call for Proposals for New GEM Focus Groups
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From: The GEM Steering Committee

The GEM Steering Committee (SC) is now accepting proposals for new Focus 
Groups (FGs).  This call is open until December 1st.  Please follow the 
proposal guidelines in the GEM by-laws:
  http://aten.igpp.ucla.edu/gemwiki/index.php/GEM_Bylaws
Please keep the proposals to 2 pages, yet include the following:
  -- A description of the topic
  -- A statement on timeliness of the FG idea
  -- A description of how the FG would relate to existing FGs
  -- A specific goal that includes a deliverable (see below)
  -- The names of the proposed co-chairs
  -- The Research Area with which it will be associated
  -- The term, not more than 5 years (so, ending on or before summer 2014)
  -- Expected activities, for example topics of sessions or challenges

Deliverables can be GGCM modules, empirical relations that lead to modules, 
solutions to specific science problems, challenges, data sets for validation 
and metrics, or paper collections.

With 2 of the Dayside RA groups ending this summer, we now have 10 active 
FGs. Here is the breakdown, according to research area:
  -- GGCM:  2 (both ending next summer)
  -- MI-Coupling: 1 (with 2 years left)
  -- Dayside: 1 (ending next summer)
  -- Tail: 3 (ending 2-4 years from now)
  -- Inner Magnetosphere: 3 (also ending in 2-4 years)
More details of the existing FGs are available on the GEM website:
 http://aten.igpp.ucla.edu/gemwiki/index.php/GEM_Focus_Groups

We would especially like to encourage FG proposals in the MI-Coupling, 
Dayside, and GGCM research areas.  This should not, however, stop anyone 
from the Tail or Inner Magnetosphere areas from proposing a FG idea.  If you 
have a good idea, then please submit a proposal, as there is no upper limit 
to the number of active FGs within a research area.  The GEM SC will 
seriously and thoughtfully consider all proposals received before the 
submission deadline.

The FG proposals will be posted on the GEM Wiki website before the GEM Mini-
Workshop.  There will be a late-afternoon session at the Mini-Workshop at 
which the FG proposals will be presented and discussed in a forum open to 
the entire GEM community.  The SC will then meet after the mini-workshop 
sessions to decide which proposals will be selected to become new GEM Focus 
Groups.  If you are proposing a FG, then please plan to give a 5-minute 
presentation in this session.

Please send FG proposals to the GEM Steering Committee chair, Mike Liemohn 
<liemohn at umich.edu>.  Questions should be directed to the SC Chair or to 
the specific Research Area Coordinator for your topic.


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