Conversations with Sigma Xi
Members
Report of the Executive Director
for the
109th Assembly of Delegates
November 20, 2008
Washington, DC
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Is the Society of the Sigma Xi relevant?
• … it is highly desirable to encourage high
•
•
attainment…
… by some mark of honor those who exhibit
special ability in investigating, understanding,
and interpreting…
…which to scientific recipients shall signify,
“Come up higher.”
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Decline in Sigma Xi membership
Decline in Sigma Xi Membership
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
0
2000
20,000
Sigma Xi
Refocus
Restructure
Revitalize
For the purpose of improving the human condition
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Revenue Stream
Dues
increase
membership
67.4
Grants
Gifts
Services
focus on
our story
tell our
story
better
market
the
benefits
3.9
8.3
20.4
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Ethics and honor in science
• Our overarching core value upon which we
build.
• Mission, goals, etc may change with time.
• Our core, our very reason for existence
should not change.
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Strategic plans and programs
• Facilitate public understanding of science
• Enhance the health of the research
enterprise
• Engage in transformational education
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Facilitate public understanding of science
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Science cafés
Podcasts
PRI and virtual science café
Issue papers/commentaries
Enhancement to the American Scientist online
Digital American Scientist
Daily and weekly news summaries
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Enhance the heath of the research
enterprise
•
•
•
•
GIAR program
Revitalize the honor of membership
Leadership development workshops
Update “Honor in Science” and “The Responsible
Researcher: Paths and Pitfalls”.
• Write a companion document for the ethics series:
“Authorship and peer review: Paths and Pitfalls”.
• Online student journal partnership with Epsilon Pi Tau
• Communities of practice
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Engage transformational education
programs
• National Science Teachers Association
• Science cafés for schools
• Grantsmanship for K-12 educators
• Affiliate membership activities
• K-12 resources
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Ethics and Honor in
Science
Facilitate
Public
Understanding
of Science
Enhance the
Health of the
Research
Enterprise
Engage in
Transformational
Education
Companions in Zealous Research
Members
Chapters
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Partners
Selling Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research
Society
• The point to remember about selling
things is that as well as creating
atmosphere and excitement around your
products, you’ve got to know what your
selling (Stuart Wilde)
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Goal: Come up higher
• What are we doing that we need to do
better?
• What are we not doing that we need to be
doing?
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
AMSRC 2009: Energy
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society