IFT NEWS

Seagroves-Fanjoy is IFT’s new Congressional Science Fellow
IFT has named Monica Seagroves-Fanjoy IFT–AAAS Congressional Science Fellow for 2001–02. This is the sixth such fellowship sponsored by the IFT Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Seagroves-Fanjoy is a research analyst for the Center for Regulatory Economics & Policy Research in Research Triangle Park, N.C. She has extensive experience with the federal regulatory process, having worked under contract with the Food and Drug Administration and as a quality assurance scientist in the food industry.

The fellowship will allow her to learn first-hand the federal legislative and over-sight processes through working in the office of a Congressional member or committee. She has already participated in a three-day food and agriculture policy session organized exclusively for the Congressional Fellows by the American Veterinary Medical Association and member societies of the Coalition for Funding Agricultural Research Missions. She also joined the 2001–02 class of approximately 75 AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellows for a two-week orientation on legislative and executive branch operations.

IFT is one of more than 20 scientific and engineering societies that sponsor fellowships to work as special Congressional staff each year. Applications for the 2002-03 fellowship are due February 15, 2002. For more information, contact IFT’s Washington, D.C., office at 202-466-5980 or www.ift.org/govtrelations.

Membership Ballots Due February 1, 2002
This year’s membership ballots will be mailed out December 1, 2001, and are due back to IFT by February 1, 2002. Members have the option of voting electronically instead of using the traditional paper ballot. The ballot will contain instructions on how to log on to the Web site to cast an electronic vote.

IFT SECTION & DIVISION NEWS
Minnesota—Call for nominations for 2002 Macy award
The Minnesota Section seeks nominations for candidates from all IFT Sections for the 2002 Harold Macy Food Science and Technology Award by January 15, 2002.

The award is given annually for an outstanding example of food technology transfer or cooperation between scientists or technologists in any two of the following settings: academic, government, and private industry. The award honors Harold Macy, former Dean Emeritus of the University of Minnesota and a Founding Member of IFT. The award consists of an $2,000 honorarium and travel expenses for the awardee to address the Minnesota Section at the annual Macy Award meeting, to be held in April 2002 in Minneapolis.

For more information, contact Frederick A. Hegele, Chair of the Macy Award Committee, General Mills, Inc., 9000 Plymouth Ave N., Golden Valley, MN 55427 (phone 763-764-2053, fax 763-764-7080, or e-mail (preferred) [email protected].

IFT FOUNDATION NEWS
Year-end giving
Now is the time when articles usually appear that demonstrate tax-wise giving ideas that can be implemented before year-end. IFT Foundation Development Director Tekla Syers asked Randy A. Fox, President of Wealth Strategies Counselors, Inc. and Tax and Investment Services., to offer some ideas for tax savings on year-end giving.

He said that most discussions focus on a gift of “appreciated” securities, such as stock that has risen in value over the purchase price and is subject to large capital gains taxes if sold. However, since the attack on September 11, 2001, the stock markets have been in decline and many investors wish they owned anything subject to capital gains. 

Fox said that those who wish to make a donation and own stock that is now worth less than the purchase price could sell it, take a loss on their tax returns (up to $3,000 allowed), donate the cash from the sale, and take a charitable deduction for the gift. In this way, they can save taxes on the loss and the charitable donation.

IFT recognizes that saving on taxes is only one reason to give and certainly not the most important. Many Foundation donors say they give because they believe in the mission of IFT, they know IFT’s programs are important to the health and progress of the food supply and food industry, and they feel a donation that supports and helps shape the future of food science and technology is an appropriate investment. We ask you to give because IFT benefits you and the world through you. If writing a check to the IFT Foundation seems mundane at a time like this, think about the importance of the information and education we provide. IFT’s membership feeds much of the world. Help to sustain us all.

For more information about the IFT Foundation, contact Tekla A. Syers, IFT Foundation Director of Development, at [email protected] . 

by SARA LANGEN
Assistant Editor