What about Bob?… BOB, BOB, BOB at CERF, CERF, CERF

Bob Bailey, CERF 2009 Co-Chair

bob.bailey@state.or.us

Mike Graybill, CERF 2009 Co-chair

Mike.Graybill@state.or.us 

CERF 2009 is practically upon us. A hush has fallen as the Oregon Convention Center awaits; the curtain is about to rise.

      But what’s that I hear? A faint murmuring, a growing cacophony of voices… calling, tumbling, chanting, singing, “Bob! Bob! BOB! BOB! BOB O BOB OBOBOBO! BBBBBBBOB! Bibbity bibbity BOB!!!”

      Hark! What is this? Is someone calling my name? Or, perhaps someone is calling Bob Emmett, the Science Program Chair? Perchance Bob Howarth, our intrepid CERF President? No…perhaps it could be Bob Christian, our intrepid Past President, Bob Diaz, incoming CERF Board member? Or...

      Ahhhhh…I hear the voices clearly now. They are calling “BOB…BOB…Bring Old Bags! BOB…Bring Old Bags! BRING OLD BAGS! Bring Old Bags to CERF 2009.”

      Yes, we mean those old bags with logos from conferences long ago and far away. Society for Intergalactic Knitters Annual Convention. Toaster Repair Guild of America. Friends of the Thalweg 50th Annual Gathering. Association of Lefthanded Lepidopterists. The Annual Kazoo Fest. You know…you’ve got a closet full of them.

      Bring Old Bags (BOB) because you’ll need ‘em. You won’t be adding to your collection with a new bag at CERF 2009. Bags are expensive. They use new material and waste energy. And, most of us have more than we can use as it is. If you do, bring a few extra former conference bags with you to Portland; and we’ll pass them along to students and emerging professionals who haven’t yet started their collection of conference bags.

      To celebrate the BOB campaign, we’re going to have a BOB contest, judged by a distinguished panel of Bobs, of course! The Judges will choose the most esoteric, the oldest, the coolest of bags. We don’t have prizes yet or even selection criteria, but rest assured they will be memorable! This letter is a call to all Bobs who are willing to help shoulder this responsibility.

      Now, from this Bob’s more serious side – in order to keep costs down and reduce our environmental footprint, the CERF 2009 conference committee respectfully requests that you bring your own conference bag. And if you’re able to bring more than one, bring it with you to the registration desk. CERF will recycle it and make sure that any extras go to folks who are old bag-challenged.

      We’ve done our best to plan a great conference experience while you are in Portland. We are pleased at the strong interest shown in CERF 2009. There’s a full slate of abstracts and some very cool sessions on timely topics. Our list of sponsors continues to grow, even in this tough economic time. There are Affiliate Society meetings scheduled; a great lineup of field trips to introduce you to the area; and back by popular demand from the Providence conference in 2007, the CERFtones will perform their unique brand of rock, blues, and more at the grand finale party on Thursday evening.

      We urge you to register NOW for CERF 2009; make your hotel reservations and travel arrangements. We’ll see you in less than two months…and don’t forget BOB!