Introduction Minnesota Branch AALAS Getting Acquainted with AALAS The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership association, is the premier forum for the exchange of information and expertise in the care and use of laboratory animals. Since 1950, we've been dedicated to the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals and the quality research that leads to scientific gains that benefit people and animals. Below is a sampling of the programs, products, and services we provide our members and the laboratory animal science community. AALAS acknowledges and declares our gratitude to and respect for the laboratory animals we use. We acknowledge the privilege granted by society that enables us to continue to use them in conducting essential scientific discovery, efficacy and safety testing. The Association and its membership reaffirms its resolve to continue to be at the forefront of improving the humane care and use of laboratory animals. The Association continues to accept as an ethical imperative, the judicious and humane use of animals that are necessary to conduct research that will continue to lead to the better health and well-being of both animals and humans alike. And, The Association accepts these serious responsibilities with due regard to both the potential benefits and the ethical costs implicit in research conducted with animals. The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science believes that the use of laboratory animals in scientific and medical research is essential to the improvement and protection of the quality of all life. The humane and responsible care of laboratory animals is vital to quality research and, as such, an essential aspect of AALAS endeavors. AALAS is dedicated to building and disseminating a knowledge base in laboratory animal science for the education and training of those who work in this field. Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics for members of AALAS has been adopted by the Board of Trustees to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional and personal conduct among its members. Adherence to these standards is required for membership in the Association and serves to assure public confidence in the integrity and service of AALAS members. Maintain the highest standard of personal conduct. Promote and encourage the highest level of ethics within the profession of laboratory animal science. Maintain loyalty to the profession of laboratory animal science and pursue its objective in ways that are consistent with the public interest. Recognize and discharge my responsibility and that of my position to uphold all laws and regulations relating to the profession of laboratory animal science. Strive for excellence in all aspects of the profession of laboratory animal science. Use only legal and ethical means in all professional activities. Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information entrusted or known to me by virtue of my position. Refuse to engage in, or countenance, activities for personal gain at the expense of the profession of laboratory animal science. Always communicate associated internal and external statements in a truthful and accurate manner. Cooperate in every reasonable and proper way with others and work with them in the advancement of the profession of laboratory animal science. Use every opportunity to improve public understanding of the role of the profession of laboratory animal science. AALAS National Meeting. Over 200 educational presentations are made each year at our National Meeting. These seminars, platform sessions, special lectures, workshops, and round-table discussions cover a wide range of topics of interest to AALAS members and other lab animal professionals. Publications. Our award-winning publications cover topics of interest to everyone involved in the care and use of laboratory animals and keep members up to date on the latest association news. Certification. Nationally recognized as the authoritative endorsement of technician competence, our technician certification program certifies three levels of technical knowledge. The Technician Certification Registry is a voluntary program for technicians to demonstrate a current, credible level of knowledge. Laboratory animal facility managers will be interested in our Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) program, which is designed to raise competency and professionalism in the field. The annual CEU requirement ensures that certified animal resource managers are abreast of the latest in management techniques and theory. Institute for Laboratory Animal Management (ILAM). ILAM is an education program for professional laboratory animal managers that focuses on management concepts applicable to the animal resource industry. AALAS Learning Library. The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) provides online learning opportunities in professional development and laboratory animal science courses for ongoing education and training. Job Search Resources. The CareerLine page provides year-round opportunities for job seekers. In addition, the AALAS National Meeting features a Career Center to give attendees a chance to discuss career opportunities with potential employees or employers. National Awards. Eight professional and technical awards for excellence in the field of laboratory animal science are given each year at the AALAS National Meeting. Listserves. Join the discussion! Thousands of professionals involved in the care and use of laboratory animals use our listserves to get quick answers and talk about issues relating to comparative medicine, laboratory animal medicine, or biomedical research. Regional and Branch Meetings. AALAS members also have access to nearly 50 regional and branch groups that provide networking and educational opportunities close to where you work and live. Check our calendar for the latest branch and district meetings. Member Directory. AALAS members have access to a searchable member directory; they can also update their directory information online. Directory information is compiled in the annual AALAS Reference Directory -- a handy reference tool for members that also contains information about AALAS products and services and a technical reference section. Public Outreach. The AALAS Foundation provides funding for projects to promote the awareness of biomedical research and its contributions to society. AALAS, through the Foundation, provides a variety of public outreach tools in the form of flyers, posters, web sites, videos and DVDs, and classroom materials.   About Minnesota… The Minnesota Branch of the American association for laboratory Animal Science Inc. was established in 1965 as an organization of laboratory animal professionals, including researchers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians and animal care technicians. Our motto, “promoting training and education of laboratory animal technicians and the public in the use of laboratory animals in research” reflects our commitment to both science and animal welfare. We accomplish our goals by providing a social and professional network for people working with laboratory animals; training programs; information articles in our quarterly newsletter; access to vendors of laboratory animals and research and animal care products; and public outreach programs. How to Become a Member of Minnesota AALAS The Minnesota Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, Inc. (MN AALAS) is an organization of laboratory animal professionals with the mission of: "Promoting Training and Education of Laboratory Animal Technicians and the Public in the use of Laboratory Animals in Research." Membership is open to anyone employed in, or with an interest in the field of laboratory animal medicine. New members must be sponsored by a current MN AALAS member. Membership in MN AALAS gives you these educational, career development & networking opportunities on the local level: · Educational programs with CE credits by the MVMA and MN Veterinary Board · Development of a "Training Network" to bring the collective skills of MN AALAS members to your fingertips · Quarterly Newsletter with information and vendors for all your laboratory needs · Networking with nearly 150 fellow laboratory animal professionals · Annual Banquet with fun, food, prizes and a speaker · Awards to recognize excellence in laboratory animal science · Development of a K-12 outreach program to teach kids about animal care and the importance of research, including a World-Wide Web site at: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/ · Just a good bunch of people (and their animals)! For more information contact the membership committee: ... Click here to join the Minnesota Branch of AALAS today!  Technicians TechLink TechLink is an electronic mailing list (listserve) created especially for animal care technicians in the field of laboratory animal science. More information on TechLink is available in the Listserves section. One of AALAS's member benefits, TechLink is an electronic mailing list (listserve) created especially for animal care technicians in the field of laboratory animal science. Open to any AALAS national member, TechLink serves as a method for laboratory animal technicians to exchange information and conduct discussions of common interest via e-mail messages with technicians in the U.S. and other countries around the world. TechLink FAQ To retrieve the TechLink welcome message from the listserver: Send e-mail to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AALAS.ORG Message body (not subject): GET TECHLINK WELCOME How do I join the TechLink mailing list? Send e-mail to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AALAS.ORG Message body: SUBSCRIBE TECHLINK Yourfirstname Yourlastname (Example: SUBSCRIBE TECHLINK John Doe) Note that the command must be in the body, not the subject. You will receive a message acknowledging your subscription request. Upon review by the listowners, you will be added to the list and begin receiving messages. To submit messages to the list once you're subscribed, send e-mail to TECHLINK@LISTSERV.AALAS.ORG.   Tech Talk Tech Talk is a bimonthly publication focusing on current information and technology of interest to technicians and other members of the research team. More information on Tech Talk is available in the Publications section. Tech Talk promotes the dissemination of professional information and technology to all persons interested in laboratory animal science and facilitates a worldwide pursuit of knowledge of animal care methodology. Tech Talk is a bimonthly publication. The editor is Patty Denison, AS, LATG, LVT, of Wayne State University. The production office for the publication is located at the AALAS national office in Memphis, TN About AALAS in Action AALAS in Action is a bimonthly newsletter published to enhance communication with national and branch members of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Recipients are encouraged to reproduce parts or all of the contents. AALAS National Meeting There are three technician-oriented events at the AALAS National Meeting: The Technician Fun Fair, the Hunter lecture, and the Technician Lunch & Learn. The Technician Fun Fair is an educational, fun event for technicians held each year during the AALAS National Meeting. This event focuses on a set of questions about AALAS, the AALAS National Meeting, and technical questions from numerous exhibiting companies located in the Exhibit Hall. The Tech Fair is an exciting way for technicians to expand their animal care knowledge and meet techs from other facilities across the country. Everyone competing in the Tech Fair will receive a variety of surprises and a certificate of completion worth 4 CEUs toward the AALAS Technician Certification Registry. There will be drawings made for a variety of prizes for those scoring 80% or better on their exam and those making 95% or higher will receive special recognition ribbons. The Hunter lecture held each year at the AALAS National Meeting has laboratory animal technicians as its focus. Dr. Charles Hunter, a past president of AALAS, was a strong supporter of technician education and training. A fund was developed for technician-oriented educational opportunities, and this lecture was created. The topics and speakers vary each year and may be linked to another round table discussion or seminar. Technicians of all levels are encouraged to attend. The newest event for technicians at the AALAS National Meeting, the Technician Lunch & Learn provides a relaxed and casual environment for technicians to learn a variety of new things while enjoying lunch with technicians from other facilities. The "learn" portion of the two-hour session will vary from year to year, but technicians can always be assured of useful and worthwhile topics relating directly to the needs of technicians. AALAS Learning Library The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) is an online learning platform that features courses in a variety of subjects related to lab animal science, including courses based on the technician certification training manuals. Courses in ALL will have an assigned CEU value for completing a course and passing the exam. Your transcript will track the CEUs you earn to maintain your status in the AALAS Technician Certification Registry! AALAS Technician Certification Program and Registry The AALAS Technician Certification Program was developed to recognize professional achievement and provide an authoritative endorsement of a technician’s level of competence in laboratory animal technology. The demand for fully trained, competent animal care technicians in the field of laboratory animal science will greatly increase as the need for more medical and scientific advances arises. AALAS certification is the highest recognition for technicians in the laboratory animal science profession. The AALAS Technician Certification program is described in detail in the Technician Certification Handbook. A visible distinction of personal achievement and professional dedication, the AALAS Technician Certification Registry recognizes technicians who maintain high educational standards and choose to maintain a current, credible level of knowledge.  Registry members are distinguished by an "R" preceding their certification level acronym. See the Technician Certification page for more information on these programs.

American Association for Laboratory Science, Inc.