Mission
The KNCV Environmental Chemistry section and the NVT Environmental Toxicology section work together to share knowledge and information, broaden networks and strengthen the fields of geochemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental toxicology.
Strategy
We strengthen the field by bringing together our members during an annual symposium, awarding a dissertation prize and spreading news through our channels. In addition, we organize related activities on an ad hoc basis, such as 1-day meetings with specific themes, and we contribute to activities organized by, for example, KNCV or NVT.
Identity
EnvironChemTox operates as an independent section. The board operates in an informal atmosphere and is focused on organizing activities. These activities are organized in collaboration with the parent associations KNCV and NVT.
Target audience
All who are interested in geochemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental toxicology. This includes professionals in the field as well as academics and policy makers. Special attention is paid to students and other early-career members, in particular to facilitate building a professional network.
Activities
Annual symposium
We organize an annual symposium around a specific theme to strengthen the field by bringing together and informing our members. Once every two years, part of the annual symposium program is reserved for the awarding of the dissertation prize.
Awarding a dissertation prize
The MCT Dissertation Prize is awarded every other year to those who have conducted excellent environmental (geo)chemical, environmental toxicological or environmental technological research in the previous 2-year period. The prize consists of a certificate and a cash prize of 1,500 euros, made available by the board of the KNCV and the board of the Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology section. After an initial selection round by a delegation of the section board, an independent jury appoints the winner. The candidates selected in the first round are invited to give a presentation on their research at the next Annual Symposium of the section.
Newsletter
Until June 2023, members of the KNCV-MC or NVT-MT received a newsletter 4 times a year to keep members informed of news from the association. The newsletter also contains an up-to-date overview of all relevant university promotions, an agenda including announcements of symposia, current course offerings in the Netherlands and relevant news (“clipping newspaper”). Interviews and letters to the editor stimulate interaction between scientists, policy makers, consultants and business representatives. Since July 2023, the section concentrates its activities on LinkedIn.
Website
The website is managed by the KNCV and can be accessed via the Backend KNCV website. The Backend consists of the parts Website, Documents, Meetings and E-mail. Members can be informed via this medium through standard or customized mailings. In addition, the website can be managed via the Backend. User manuals have been made available by the KNCV.
Social media
EnvironChemTox manages a LinkedIn page, made available by KNCV. The goal is to reach a broader and younger target group. The LinkedIn page is used to share interesting messages, relevant articles or related vacancies.
NB. EnvironChemTox does not have Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Links
The board maintains close contact with international organizations such as SETAC and IUPAC. One of the board members is active as a member of the IUPAC Division on Chemistry and the Environment. This Division shares the field of work of our section.
Membership
There are three different ways to become a member, via KNCV, NVT or the MCT section. Persons can be members via the parent associations KNCV and NVT, but can also directly. In the latter case, an annual contribution is paid that fully benefits the section.
- KNCV members receive a significant reduction on the annual contributions.
- NVT – The Environmental Toxicology Section is part of the NVT. This means that NVT members can also register as members of MCT. NVT members receive a reduction on their membership fee.
- Open section - The Environmental Chemistry Section is an open section of the KNCV. This means that non-KNCV members can also register as members.
Resources
People
The board members are responsible for organizing the activities. The members of the board are committed in a personal capacity. Board members are not personally responsible as the KNCV and NVT are administratively responsible for each of its sections.
Board members can register with the board and/or be recruited from the network. The board members do not have a maximum term of office, but they are asked every 3 years to commit themselves for a subsequent period of 3 years.
The MCT section has at least a chairman (see role description), secretary (see role description) and a treasurer (see role description).
Budget
Income is generated via memberships and proceeds from the activities. The budget is managed through the KNCV, with the treasurer of the section checking and approving expenditure. The administrative responsibility for the funds is arranged through the KNCV.
Execution: goals and plans
Goals 2022
The most important objectives for the year 2022 are to inform members and organize meetings on current topics that appeal to section members. Information is provided primarily through the Newsletter, the meetings are partly organized and supervised by the KNCV Office in collaboration with others.
Annual plan (2022)
As of January 1, 2022, the section had a total of 225 members: subdivided into 1 member under the age of 24, 189 members who are also members of the KNCV, and 35 members who are not members of the KNCV but only of MilieuChemTox. The number of members as of January 1, 2022 means that the trend of a slowly declining membership continues.
The annual MCT symposium is scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2022. The theme is: “Better Safe Design than Sorry Use”.
Together with researchers of VU and UvA, a symposium on the behaviour and effects of PFAS in the environment will be organized on September 16.
A symposium on the theme of 'Environmental crime' will be organized on September 30 with the Wageningen Environmental Knowledge Network (Home - Environmental Knowledge Network).
In addition to the Wageningen Environmental Knowledge Network, there is active collaboration with SETAC-EU and NVT.
The number of board meetings is 4 times a year.
As indicated above, the Newsletter will be published four times in 2022.
Budget
The budget is run through the KNCV Bureau. The most important cost items in 2022 are the management costs, the payment to the KNCV, and the annual symposium. This symposium will also take place in virtual form in 2022. This limits the costs (estimated: 1500 euros). The income consists entirely of contributions received (estimate: 2,500 euros). It is expected that a positive result of approximately 1,000 euros will remain.
