Friday 16th December was an occasion full of firsts when the EMBL Alumni Association board met at the Grenoble Outstation. It was the first meeting of the newly elected board, the first visit to the Grenoble Outstation in the Association’s 13-year history, and the first board dinner to be transformed into a staff-alumni get-together.

Board members selected two John Kendrew Award winners, assigned funds to reward the commitment of the Iberian and Greek local chapters for their 2012 meetings, reviewed the overwhelming response to the alumni feedback survey, composed four working groups to deal with Association business throughout the year and enjoyed general introductions and up-dates regarding alumni and EMBL news.

Over 40 people attended the festive buffet beautifully organized by Rokhaya Tounkara and Dominique Lancon from EMBL Grenoble Administration. “It was a nice balance between scientific and administrative staff from all levels together with local alumni”, commented Maria Vivanco, EMBL Alumni Association Vice Chair.

“We are delighted with the decision to hold one board meeting every year at an EMBL outstation, and with the interest of EMBL Grenoble staff today”, said Matthias Hentze, EMBL Associate Director, who represents EMBL at these meetings. “It’s great community building for both staff and alumni”.

What was neither a first nor a last was the security strikes at Grenoble airport causing the airport to shut down altogether. Despite this news, board members continued in high spirits on the bus back to their hotel with a long-lasting memory of the occasion…