ETA BOARDS
The Executive Committee (EC) has established ten Boards to assist in the organisation and management of the ETA in order to reach the goals delineated in the statutes. The EC has set general rules for the Boards (available at the ETA website). In short, Boards are composed of two up to five members. The chairperson and a current member of the EC (who may or may not act as chairperson) are directly appointed by the EC. Nominations of other members are subject to approval by the EC. The term of office of Board members is three years except for the EC representative whose term coincides with his or her term as EC member. Members are eligible for a second term of three years only once, as proposed and approved by the EC. Board members will meet in person at least once yearly, e.g. just before the annual ETA meeting; communication between Board members will be mostly by letters, e-mail and phone. Board meetings can be attended by the president and/or secretary-treasurer of the ETA. Boards will function in principle without financial assistance of the ETA, although in particular cases the EC may allocate a modest budget. Boards report in writing biannually to the EC, and give a short summary of their activities at the General Assembly of the ETA.

1. Public Affairs Board
Members: Peter Laurberg (chair), Leonidas Duntas, Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen (Secretary-Treasurer), Onno Bakker (ex officio), Josef Köhrle (President)
Aims:
* To respond to all matters relating to the study of the thyroid in medicine and life science as they may occur in any country or region served by the ETA.
* To liaise with the EC as necessary so as to represent, publicise and increase the visibility of the ETA.
* To prepare press statements and conferences as required including for the Annual Meetings together with the Local Organizers and the EC.
* To advise the Website Board on appropriate news items relating to public affairs of thyroidal interest.
* To formulate the ETA position regarding clinical thyroid matters in relation to public interest

2. Membership Board
Members: Massimo Santoro (chair, ex officio), Peter Smyth, Pilar Santisteban, Mara Marga. Valentin Fadeyev
Aims: To increase the number of ETA members.

3. Website Board
Members: Onno Bakker (Chair), Barbara Jarzab (ex officio), Dagmar Führer,
Aims: To redesign and update the ETA website once more. To establish new areas within the website, including an internet area for ETA members which among others will allow scientific exchange between members. To provide a ‘shop-window’ for the ETA to attract new members and sponsors.

4. Hot Thyroidology Board
Members: Albert Burger (chair), Patrice Rodien (ex officio), Georg Brabant.
Aims: To increase the impact of the electronic publication Hot Thyroidology. The board replaces the previous management committee of Hot Thyroidology. It is not responsible for the scientific content of the journal, which is dealt with by the Editorial Board.

5. Regional Activities Board
Members: John Lazarus (chair), Istvan Szabolcs (ex officio), Gerry Krassas, Jane Paunkovic, Jan Podoba, Björn Wenzel.
Aims: To propose regional activities such as postgraduate courses under the auspices of the ETA. To provide a sensible balance between the clinical needs of a particular region and scientific development in thyroidology. The board is the successor of the previous Eastern European Board. Very successful – other buys?

6. Public Health Board
Members: Paolo Vitti (chair, ex officio), Nils Knudsen, Christian Reiners, Michael Zimmermann, Aldo Pinchera.
Aims: To evaluate and advise on thyroid-related issues which are of concern to public health (such as iodine deficiency, radioactive fallout, endocrine disruptors, screening programs).
The Board should serve as a stand-by emergency board; The Board should be asked to come up with an action plan for the next 2-3 years, in particular since the 5th Framework EU programme has now expired. The group should consider consequences of iodine excess and deficiency as well as issues of iron supply and endocrine disruptors. The Board needs to propose working groups and should be encouraged to co-opt other ETA members for specific tasks

7. Archives Board
Members: Pierre Bourdoux (chair) will stepdown 31.08.07 due to retirement, Patrice Rodien (ex officio), Christian Beckers.
Aims: To record the history of the ETA. To contribute historical vignettes to the ETA newsletter and website.