The Laboratory Animal Science Association, LASA, was founded in 1963 by a consortium of industrial, university, ministry and research council representatives - a breadth of interest which is still typical of the LASA membership today. Laboratory animal science seeks to ensure the provision and best use of the most appropriate animal models - including derived materials such as organs, tissues and cellular components - for medical, veterinary and other scientific purposes. The key aim of LASA is to advance this knowledge of the care and welfare of laboratory animals and to promote refinement of scientific procedures.

ORGANISATION
LASA has a Managing Council which meets approximately every three months to discuss the affairs of the Association. A list of the current officers and ordinary Council members is included in your pack. Members Officers are elected onto Council for four years at the Annual General Meeting which is normally held during the Autumn Scientific Meeting. At the end of four years, ordinary members retire from Council and are not eligible for re-election until the AGM in the year following their retirement unless they then become one of the officers.

Enclosed in your pack is a copy of the Bylaws which contains all the information about how LASA is organised.

In order to ensure the smooth running of the Association there is a Secretariat which co-ordinates all the administrative duties. It is a co-ordinating office handling all in-coming and out-going post and the day-to-day affairs of the Association. It is the contact point for all LASA officers.

Often a telephone call to the Secretariat will solve any minor queries about
• membership applications and payment enquiries
• editorial and advertising in the Newsletter
• forthcoming Section meetings
• delegate and trade details for the Annual Winter Meeting

Other more complicated problems will be diverted to the most appropriate person.

The Secretariat address is: LASA Secretariat
P O Box 3993
Tamworth
B78 3QU

Telephone: +44 (0)1827 259 130 Fax: +44 (0)1827 259 188
the e-mail address is lasa@btconnect.com