2002 Membership Committee Report

The 2001 year has been very successful in terms of recruitment of new members. From April 2001 to June 2002 a total of 643 Regular members have been approved (approximately 20% increase over the previous year). Of the new members 449 are male and 163 female. The degrees held are 457 PhD, 79 MD, 56 MD/PhD, 2 DSc, 1 DVSc, 1 BMs, 14 Dphil, 1 Dodont, 1 MD/DMSc, 6 MSc, 1 MBBS/MD/PhD, 2 DVM, 6 PhD/DVM, 1 DM, 1 DR, 1 DNSc, 1 MD/MPH, 1 MD/FRCP, 2 PhD/DSc, 1 FESC, 1 MDCM, 1 PhD/MPH, 1 MRCP, 1 MBBS, 1 MA, 1 MSE, 1 MBA, 1 EdD. These new members hold a variety of position titles. For example, among the new members in 2001 were 94 Professors, 58 Associate Professors, 130 Assistant Professors, 8 Senior Researchers, 20 Lecturers, 12 Instructors, 16 Research Scientists, 126 Postdoctoral Fellows, 33 Research Associates, 17 Research Fellows, 12 Researchers/Investigators, 18 Research Assistants, 16 Research Directors, 4 Chiefs, 2 Chairpersons, 2 Vice Presidents, one Associate Dean, one Editor, and one Teacher.

The Membership Committee met in New Orleans, at the Experimental Biology 2002 meeting. The primary topic of discussion at that 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.

Linda Allen shared the newly designed "New Member Packet" with the group. The packet is sent to all newly approved members as of May 2002. The packet contains information about APS committees, sections, chapters, etc. The information included in the packet is designed to get the new members involved in the Society�s activities from the very start. Additionally, all new members will now receive a Certificate of Membership, signed by the APS President. The Committee agreed the packet is very worthwhile and valuable. The material included in the packet will constantly evolve and will include such items as current press releases, new Society initiatives, etc. The Committee will inform staff of items that should be added to or removed from the packet.

It was noted that the Society needs to maintain communication with current membership-not just with new members'and the information included in the member packet would also be of interest to those constituents. This mechanism should help with member retention, a problem that most societies are facing. However, the cost of mailing a member information packet to every current member would probably be prohibitive.

Discussion arose about how to provide a forum to reach new members on an annual basis. While the new member packet is a start, the need for some type of personal interaction is apparent. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Society could host a "New Comers Coffee" event at the annual meeting where committee and section chairs inform members about opportunities for involvement. The session would be an early-morning event to last about one hour and would not conflict with the scientific sessions.

The benefits of membership were reviewed. It is agreed that membership benefits provide the greatest incentive. 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 a discounted manuscript submission fee and/or page charges to members publishing in APS journals.

The Committee inquired if journal authors are targeted for promotion. Sue Sabur informed the Committee that letters are sent to all nonmember journal authors. The letter is sent under the President's signature. Discussion arose about whether this mailing should include information specific to the related section's activities (e.g. authors of AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism would receive a copy of the Endocrinology & Metabolism Section's newsletter).

Sabur informed the Committee that she exhibits at many scientific meetings throughout the year and this is an excellent venue for recruiting members. Occasionally, journal editors or section leaders will assist her in the booth. The Committee would like to be informed of upcoming exhibitions and, when possible, assist Sabur in the APS Exhibition Booth.

The meeting then focused on mechanisms that can be implemented to increase member involvement/retention.  Below is an outline of the ideas discussed:

• Each member on the Membership Committee recruits members from inside their department.

• Design a "Join the APS" poster and mail to Chairs of Departments of Physiology and possibly other basic and clinical sciences departments. The poster may not have a response card.

• Contact Chairs of Departments of Physiology at least one time per year to give them a status report on APS membership and ask for their assistance in promoting the benefits of membership.

• Provide links on the APS web site to grants that are available for postdocs (the Society for Developmental Biology web site as an example).

• Print the picture of new members in The Physiologist and on the web page.

• Have a New Members page on the APS web site.

• Provide opportunity for members to pay for 3- or 5-years of dues at one time to receive a 5-10% discount (American Heart Association as an example).

• Allow members to vote online.

In summary, this is a time of change for the Membership Committee. The duties related to review of applications have 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 accepted the report of the Membership Committee.

• Council endorsed the idea of inviting new members to come to the APS office at the EB meetings to meet various members of Council and Committee Chairs.

• Council approved a motion to allow members to pay for 3 years of membership dues at one time.