As an initial step of the chapter revitalization process, the USD Chapter of Sigma Xi conducted a survey to gather information from its current active membership.

Thirty-six survey forms were sent to the current dues-paid members either electronically or by regular US mail. A total of eleven completed surveys were returned-eight electronically and three by regular US mail.

The following general observations were made:

1. A majority of the respondents are either quite interested or have a strong interest in revitalizing the chapter. They are affiliated with a research university, tenured, and in their mid-career. They participate in Sigma Xi activities sometimes or always. They ranked the following activities as the top three preferred activities:
   • Scientists with national reputations giving talks to the chapter or public;
   • Grant writing workshop;
   • Programs on ethical research and publication.
2. Chapter should conduct activities quarterly (with monthly as the next choice).
3. On-campus activities are the most preferred.
4. Either brown bag lunches or evening dinners are the preferred formats.
5. Relaxed social gatherings are the most preferred format for awards presentation.
6. Lunchtime is the most preferred timeframe for technical lectures, seminars, and workshops.
7. Weekend evenings, weekday lunch, or weekday dinner are equally preferred for awards presentation.
8. Roughly a third of the respondents indicated interest in serving as committee members; about half that number indicated interest in an elected office; a majority of them indicated interest in paying local dues to the USD chapter.
9. Although a majority of the respondents indicated no interest in participating in the chapter revitalization endeavor at this time, they indicated the possibility of participating at a later time; one-fourth of the respondents indicated their willingness to contribute to the revitalization process, although not as an officer.
10. Survey questions numbered 14 and 15 requested for free responses that the respondent can write/type in. Here are all the responses that were received:

• Question 14: What do you expect from participating in USD chapter activities?
  • Increased awareness of research activities in the area and resources for research as well as networking;
  • Interesting scientific presentations;
  • Activities that increase local awareness regarding scientific research at USD;
  • Camaraderie, broadening science knowledge;
  • Opportunity to interact with USD faculty/student researchers;
  • Please let me note, I think this is a fine organization and I hope it can continue to be a strong group. The problem for me right now is my time - I am truly sorry I simply cannnot help right now.
  • Better knowledge of what scientific activities are going on at USD and elsewhere.
• Question 15: What will be the most challenging aspect of reactivating the chapter, and what suggestions or advice can you offer the Reactivation Committee?
  Time;
  Organizing events that attract members and non-members;
  • Identifying leadership ;
  • Time is always an issue given that the lives of faculty are very busy and time spent in professional gatherings is often dedicated to discipline based professional meetings….My advise, keep trying.
  • Making the chapter more energized, invigorated, something that folks will want to belong to;
  • Look for ways to get members contributing actively to research at USD;
  • Getting people to attend.

A table summarizing the responses received may be accessed by clicking here.

For each possible response, the table shows how often that particular response was chosen as a percentage of the total number of responses received for each question. Whenever a ranking/choice was requested in a question, the fraction of responses that indicated a particular response as either the first or second choice only is indicated as a percentage even if there were more than two choices are rankings. When ranking/choices were requested but results don’t show the % responses for the top two ranks, the highest result corresponded to the top choice and the second highest result the second choice.

Your prompt response to the survey is greatly appreciated. The survey results have been very helpful to the chapter revitalization group. We hope to be in touch with the membership in the near future regarding nominations of new members and events for the coming year.