Report of the International Committee
for the Year ending June 30, 2001

During the year ending 30 June 2001, the International Committee's meeting schedule and its responsibilities within Sigma Xi were re-examined and changed in order to accommodate recent changes within the Society.

This year the Committee met on 3 March 2001 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Ê During the meeting, the Committee received an update on Sigma Xi's initiative, supported by the Packard Foundation, to establish new chapters outside North America and to provide networking opportunities for these chapters to interact with the global scientific community.Ê The Committee also discussed an alternative dues structure for members outside the United States and Canada, the Western Hemisphere Knowledge Partnerships Program of Dr. Thomas Malone, the Committee's interactions with other groups within the Society, a review of the status and activities of current international chapters, and how international chapters might be helped in their efforts with articles in the magazine and by the Society's Distinguished Lectureships Program and the Grants-in-Aid of Research Program.

From the discussions, the Committee recognized that, with the funding provided by the Packard Foundation, its traditionalÊ role has changed for establishing new chapters in the Society outside the United States and Canada in Sigma Xi.Ê Whereas the Committee formerly had taken a Òhands-onÓ approach in establishing new chapters, staff is now undertaking much of this effort with support from the Packard Foundation.Ê Thus, the Committee agreed:

• That the Committee will provide its advice and suggestions about possible contacts in international countries, establishing new chapters, and possible organizations for collaboration in the Packard Initiative;

• That the Committee will review and provide its advice and suggestions on documents relating to the Packard initiative and the proposed new international dues structure before they are sent to prospective international chapters; and

• That the Chair of the Committee will explore the possibility of multi-national corporations supporting international groups of Sigma Xi.

In addition, the Committee recognized that, with the new governance structure, its role in overseeing the activities of chapters outside the United States and Canada might change due to the establishment of the new Canadian/International Constituency Group that was established to coordinate activities and discussions within these chapters.Ê The Chair of the Committee agreed to work with the new Director of the Canadian/International Constituency Group to prepare a document for the November 2001 meeting of the Board of Directors that would outline the duties and responsibilities of each of the groups in regard to the international chapters in Sigma Xi.Ê It is envisioned that, as part of this discussion, the Director of the Canadian/International Constituency Group will be proposed to serve as an ex officio member of the Committee.

At its March 2001 meeting, the Committee spent some time discussing the current situation for many prospective international groups in Sigma Xi where the payment of the Society's current annual dues (US$50) is a hardship.Ê While the proposed new dues structure for international members will relieve this situation for many prospective international members by enabling them to pay reduced dues, the Committee agreed to continue its practice of paying 50% of the initial annual dues payment for new members of a new chapter outside the United States and Canada from the ÒCurrency Impact FundÓ within the Committee's budget.

As in the past, the Committee continues to encourage attendance by international chapter delegates to the Annual Meeting by paying, from the Committee's budget, a supplement to the subvention by Headquarters for international airfare.Ê The Committee attempts to make each international delegate aware of Sigma Xi benefits and services for the chapters by introducing them to other chapter delegates, Headquarters staff and members of various committees, and making them aware of other aspects of the Society, such as program opportunities, governance issues, and opportunities and publication materials available from Headquarters.

In regard to its meeting schedule, the Committee, as it has down for several years, did not meet during the November 2000 forum and annual meeting and probably will not meet during the annual meeting in the near future.Ê This is because the Chair of the Committee now has other responsibilities at the meeting as a newly elected Regional Director for the Southwest Region, and the staff is pre-occupied during the meeting with other responsibilities.Ê However, the Committee will continue to have one in-person meeting away from the annual meeting each year and conduct other business of the Committee as it arises via telephone conference calls and electronic communication.

This year, Drs. Susan Kilham, Paul Pechan, and Alan Schroeder complete their terms on the Committee and depart with robust thanks for their work and counsel over the years on the Committee's behalf.Ê Joining the Committee on 1 July 2001 will be Drs. David Cass, Miguel Jimenez, Sarah Ngola, and M. A. (Tony) Whitehead who will serve ex officio on the Committee as the Director of the Canadian/International Constituency Group.Ê The Committee members for the year ending 30 June 2001 were:

James F. Baur, Chair
Susan S. Kilham
Christopher S. Lange
Emir Jose Macari
John H. Moore
Paul M. Pechan
Alan C. Schroeder