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2003 Membership Committee Report
2002 has been a very successful year in terms of
recruitment of new members. From April 2002 to April 2003 a total of 917
regular members have been approved (approximately 9% increase over the
previous year). Of the new members there was an increase in male members by
5.7%, and a greater increase in female members by 19%, suggesting that our
recruiting efforts have been successful in attracting more female members.
Among respondents, there was a significant increase in Asian (190%),
Hispanic (157%), Black (176%), and American Indian members (300%),
indicating that the society is reaching more members of all different racial
backgrounds and heritage. The Society has also been very successful in
attracting members of various age groups. In the last year, there was a 6.9%
increase in members 60 years of age or older. Interestingly, there was 15.7%
increase in members 20 to 29 years of age, indicating that the society has
been very successful in attracting young members. The vast majority of
members hold the PhD and/or MD; however, members with other degrees such as
DVM, DM, MBBS, MSc, MA, and EdD are also represented. The new members
represent a good cross-section of all academic positions and ranks including
Professors, Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Research Fellows,
as well as Chairpersons, Vice Presidents, Associate Deans, and Teachers.
The Membership Committee met in San Diego, CA at the
April EB ‘03 meeting. The primary topic of discussion at the meeting was how
the Committee might best serve the Society in light of duties that go beyond
approval of membership applications. The Committee reviewed the membership
application approval process to determine if any adjustments were necessary.
It was agreed that the current mechanism is working well. The APS Council
has previously accepted a recommendation put forth by the Membership
Committee that the APS staff be allowed to approve all straight-forward
membership applications and that final approval be granted via a Council
email ballot on a monthly basis. This procedure has greatly expedited the
membership application review and approval process.
One of the issues raised at the meeting was related to
the qualifications of the applicants, particularly with regard to whether it
is necessary for regular members to hold an advanced degree. Some applicants
do not have an advanced degree, but have significant research experience and
several publications in peer-reviewed journals. It was suggested to continue
the policy of “having an advanced degree” as a requirement for regular
membership. Applicants that do not hold an advanced degree, but have
significant research experience may be considered as affiliate members or
members under special consideration.
During the Committee meeting, Martin Frank raised an
important point regarding student members and how to retain them as regular
members of APS. Under the current policy, students have a free membership
for the first year, but are then asked to pay $15 membership dues from year
two onward. Data suggest that students accept the first year free
membership, but do not maintain their membership afterwards. It was
suggested that further data analysis might be needed to determine whether
there is a certain demographic pattern for the students’ decision not to
maintain their membership. It was also suggested that a letter be written to
the chairpersons to encourage them to take a more active role in informing
the students of the advantages of maintaining their membership at APS.
Two points were raised regarding the membership dues.
First, it was suggested to make sure that members receive several mailing
notices for the annual dues before considering ending their membership. Some
members may not have the time to respond promptly. Others may not have the
financial resources at the time of the first notice, but may reconsider
during the following notices. In relation to this point, it was suggested
that members be allowed to pay the annual dues three years in advance, using
the same practice already adopted by other societies such as the American
Heart Association.
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The meeting then focused on mechanisms that can be
implemented to increase member involvement/retention. Below is an outline of
the ideas discussed:
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Contact
Chairs of Departments of Physiology at least once a year and give them a
status report on APS membership and ask for their assistance in promoting
the benefits of membership.
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Initiate
and maintain contact with minority colleges to enhance the recruitment and
the involvement of underrepresented groups in APS activities.
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Provide
links on the APS web site to grants that are available for postdocs (the
Society for Developmental Biology web site as an example).
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It is
agreed that membership benefits provide the greatest incentive for
membership. While member benefits have been increased (such as the online
library of journals and free color prints) the Committee would like to see
APS provide incentives for members 25 years or longer.
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Allow
members to vote online.
In summary, this is a time of change for the Membership
Committee. The duties related to review of applications has been
streamlined, freeing up time for the Committee to focus on other important
goals, especially those related to recruitment and retention. On behalf of
the Committee members, I would like to say that we continue these important
duties with great enthusiasm.
Raouf A. Khalil, Chair
Council Actions
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