One Hundred Fifth Annual Meeting
November 11-14, 2004
LeCentre Sheraton Hotel
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

A Draft Summary Report

The 105th Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society took place at the LeCentre Sheraton Hotel in Montreal, Quebec from Thursday, 11 November, to Sunday, 14 November 2004. The Assembly of Delegates was convened on 11, 12, and 14 November with Sigma Xi's President, Dr. Francisco Ayala, in the Chair for the first two sessions and the President-elect, Dr. Lynn Margulis, presiding over the third session of the Assembly. The Proceedings of the Assembly are annexed to this report. Delegates also participated in the six Regional Assemblies of Delegates, each of which was convened on 13 and 14 November and in meetings of the Society's Constituency Groups, five of which were convened on 12 and 14 November. During the Annual Meeting, the following meetings also were held:

November 11	Board of Directors - Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
November 11	Board of Directors - Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, Incorporated
November 10	Executive Committee
November 12	Committee on Awards
November 14	Committee on Regions

On Thursday, 11 November 2004, a Canadian/International Northeast Symposium (CINES): A Celebration of the Rutherford-Soddy Centennial was held in the Atrium and J. Armand Bombardier Theatre of the McCord Museum in Montreal. The symposium was organized by the McGill-Montreal Chapter of Sigma Xi and Professor M. A. (Tony) Whitehead of McGill University and Director of the Society's Canadian/International Constituency Group. The one-day symposium opened with remarks by Professor Whitehead; the President of Sigma Xi, Dr. Francisco Ayala; the Principal of McGill University represented by Dr. Hurtubise; the Director of the McCord Museum represented by Ms. Anne MacKay; and the President of the McGill-Montreal Chapter, Dr. Grazyna Wilczek.

Following the opening remarks, the symposium opened with a lecture by Professor Whitehead on "Rutherford and Soddy at McGill: The Atom, Isotopes and Neutrinos." The morning session of the symposium, "Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Isotopes," organized and chaired by Professor Christopher Lange of SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Northeast Regional Director, began with a lecture on "PET/CT Scanning and Its Use in Cancer Diagnostics," by Dr. Christian Cohade of the Universite de Montreal (CHUM). The morning session continued with a lecture by Dr. Raymond Damadian, President of FONAR Corporation, on "MRI: The Quest for a Body Scanner to Detect Cancer," and the session concluded with a lecture by Professor Lange on "Use of Ionizing Radiations in Biology and Radiation Oncology."

Following lunch, the afternoon session, "The Canadian Neutrino Laboratory," was introduced by Professor Whitehead. The session was organized and chaired by Dr. Zachary Jacobson, President of the Le Fonds Sigma Xi du Canada. Dr. Jacobson then presented the "Sigma Xi Fund of Canada Awards for Scientific Achievement to Celebrate the Solar Neutrino Discovery" to Drs. Arthur McDonald and George T. Ewan of Queen's University, Dr. David Sinclair of Carleton University, and Dr. Walter Davidson of the National Research Council of Canada. The presentation of awards was followed by lectures on "The Development of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory" by Dr. Walter Davidson, and "Scientific Discoveries at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory" by Dr. Sinclair. Following a tea break, Dr. Jacobson presented the final lecture on "Physics and the Rest of the World." Professor Whitehead then thanked the two chairs for their assistance in arranging the symposium, thanked the speakers and participants, and closed the symposium on behalf of the McGill-Montreal Chapter of Sigma Xi.

In addition to the CINES symposium, two other pre-meeting events took place for delegates, members, and non-members. On Thursday, 11 November, a one-day workshop on "Professional Career Pathways" was held at the LeCentre Sheraton Hotel that explored non-academic career opportunities for early career scientists. This workshop provided a unique forum for exploring the exciting and diverse career options available to early career scientists and featured speakers who discussed these wide-ranging career possibilities, including careers in industry, education, government, writing/media, technology transfer/patent law, business and finance, and science policy. A session on tailoring one's CV or resume also was included. Also on Thursday, a half-day workshop on the "National Computational Science Institute " was held that explored computational science tools that can help undergraduate students better understand complex issues in science, math and engineering. This workshop focused on computational techniques that can be used to explore phenomena that are difficult to see or work with in the classroom or laboratory.

On Friday morning, Dr. Murray Gell-Mann, Distinguished Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute and Nobel Laureate in Physics, received the 2004 William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement and delivered the Procter Prize Address, "Simplicity, Complexity, Regularity and Randomness." Prior to presentation of the Procter Prize, Dr. Sergei Lvovich Nikolaev of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow received a $5,000 grant-in-aid of research from the Procter Fund as the young scientist designated for this award by Dr. Gell-Mann.

On Saturday afternoon, Dr. Jason Nieh, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University, received the 2004 Young Investigator Award in the area of the physical sciences and engineering. After receiving the award, Dr. Nieh presented the Young Investigator Award Lecture, "Let's Get Virtual: The New Wave of Computing."

Also on Saturday afternoon, Dr. David Suzuki, Chair of the David Suzuki Foundation and Professor Emeritus of the University of British Columbia, received the 2004 John P. McGovern Science and Society Medal and presented the 2004 John P. McGovern Lecture "The Challenge of the 21st Century: Setting the Real Bottomline."

Saturday evening the annual banquet was held during which Mr. Dennis Overbye, Deputy Science Editor for The New York Times was initiated as the 33rd Honorary Member of the Society for his services to science in communicating science to the public. During and after the banquet, a six-piece ensemble, the "Cheers Orchestra" provided musical entertainment.

On Friday evening, annual meeting participants had the opportunity for after-dinner networking, relaxation, coffee, cash bar and music at "The Sigma Xi Café" with musical entertainment provided by a Jazz Trio arranged through McGill University. On Thursday evening, following the first Assembly of Delegates, an opening reception to the annual meeting was held with musical entertainment provided by a trio of folkloric musicians who played traditional Quebecois melodies.

Four workshop sessions were held during the annual meeting on topics involving the Society or issues involving science and society. The first workshop session for delegates on Friday morning included the following topics: "Chapters 101: Chapter Management," "Revitalizing Your Chapter," "The United Nations-Sigma Xi Scientific Expert Group on Global Climate Change," and "Using Computational Science in the Undergraduate Classroom." The second set of workshops for delegates on Saturday afternoon included the following topics: "Chapters 102: Chapter Opportunities," "Outstanding Chapter Programs," "Sigma Xi Postdoc Survey: Key Results," and "Access to Literature and the Future of Science." The third set of workshops for student research conference participants on Saturday afternoon included the following topics: "An Introduction on Marketing Yourself," "Discovering Your Career Pathway," and "Connexions - Sharing Knowledge and Building Communities." The final set of workshops for delegates and student research conference participants was held on Saturday afternoon and included the following topics: "Communicating Science: Telling the Research Story in Pictures," "Open Access Publishing II: Connexions - Sharing Knowledge and Building Communities," "The Keys to Successful Research Grants," "Enhancing Public Understanding of Research - Partnership with NOVA," "A Conversation with Dennis Overbye," and " Developing Effective Diversity Programs."

On Saturday morning, a special event was held for delegates and students entitled "Breakfast Chemistry: Fenster & Schwarcz." Following a continental breakfast, Ariel Fenster and Joe Schwarcz of the McGill Office of Science and Society entertained and informed the audience with their unique perspective on chemistry. Both Dr. Fenster and Dr. Schwarcz are widely known in the Montreal area for their efforts to communicate science to the public and following their presentation they were initiated as members into the Society and received certificates of recognition for their efforts to communicate science to the public.

Throughout Friday and Saturday Sigma Xi's 2004 Student Research Conference was held with sponsorship by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Participating in the conference were about 250 students, parents, members, and exhibitors that included 200 poster presenters from over 100 institutions throughout North America and abroad. Sigma Xi delegates and local members judged the poster presentations throughout Friday and Saturday. Immediately following the John P. McGovern Science and Society Lecture on Saturday afternoon, 28 monetary awards were presented by Dr. Ayala and Dr. Sculley to those students judged to have presented outstanding research posters. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences sponsored the student awards.

In addition to presenting their posters in four sessions on Friday and Saturday, students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities during the two-day conference. Some of these activities were scheduled for students and delegates, while others were arranged only for the participants in the student conference. The activities with annual meeting delegates included the Procter Prize Lecture on Friday morning, the fourth set of workshops on Saturday afternoon, the "Sigma Xi Café" on Friday evening, the Young Investigator Award Lecture on Saturday afternoon, the John P. McGovern Lecture also on Saturday afternoon, the Saturday morning "Breakfast Chemistry" with Ariel Fenster and Joe Schwarcz, the awards ceremony for student participants also on Saturday afternoon, and the banquet on Saturday evening. In addition to these activities, students also participated in a "Welcome and Orientation" session on Friday morning that included remarks by the Society's President, Dr. Francisco Ayala, and Sigma Xi's Executive Director, Dr. Patrick Sculley and in a special set of workshops for students on Saturday afternoon. Also, on Friday, students participated in a "Networking Lunch" where they had the opportunity to meet fellow participants and network with conference exhibitors and career scientists at designated interest tables.

Throughout Friday and Saturday, students and delegates had the opportunity to interact with the following 9 exhibitors for the Student Research Conference: American Journal of Undergraduate Research; Connexions; Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Wadsworth Center at the University of Albany; Krell Institute of the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship; McGill University Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute; Sally Ride Science - TOYchallenge; and Teach for America.

Also, throughout the Annual Meeting, delegates and students had the opportunity to review 13 chapter poster presentations, 19 scientific posters presented by delegates, and 4 display boards of Sigma Xi and its activities that were prepared by the Society's administrative offices. The Committee on Development also had an informational booth on the Society's Capital Campaign at the meeting. For the second year, a "Sigma Xi Quiz" was held where delegates could find the answers to 25 questions on the quiz from a variety of sources, such as workshops, PowerPoint™ presentations, display boards, and from staff. At the banquet on Saturday evening, a drawing was held for those who obtained at least 90% correct answers on the quiz and prizes awarded to those selected.

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
One Hundred Fourth Annual Meeting

November 11-14, 2004
LeCentre Sheraton Hotel
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Proceedings of the Assembly of Delegates
1. The Assembly of Delegates to the November 2004 Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society was convened at the LeCentre Sheraton Hotel in Montreal, Quebec in three sessions on 11, 12, and 14 November 2004. The President of Sigma Xi, Dr. Francisco Ayala, chaired the first two sessions of the Assembly while Dr. Lynn Margulis, President-elect of Sigma Xi, chaired the final session.

   SESSION I

   Introductory Remarks by the President

2. Dr. Ayala introduced himself to the Assembly, then welcomed delegates, spouses, and friends to the 105th Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi. He then introduced Ms. Ann Gilton, Sigma Xi's Parliamentarian, Dr. Patrick Sculley, the Society's Executive Director, and Dr. Richard Meyer, the Society's Treasurer, who would participate in various aspects of the Assembly proceedings. Dr. Ayla then expressed his great euphoria about the state of Sigma Xi because of the Society's considerable progress in the last several years that relate to three important items. First was the hiring of a splendid leader and manager in Dr. Patrick Sculley as Executive Director of Sigma Xi. In his brief tenure with Sigma Xi, Dr. Sculley has devoted unlimited energy to the Society and is moving the Society clearly in the right direction. Secondly, the building of the Sigma Xi Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina was completed in remarkable time, well ahead of schedule, with a moderate budget, and incorporated additional square footage than originally anticipated at an extremely moderate cost. He added that the Center is a beautiful building, dedicated in April 2004 that is a credit to the Society and its membership. Finally, the formulation of a strategic plan for Sigma Xi points the Society in the right direction and one in which the Society clearly wants to proceed. One important element of this plan is to increase the Society's membership and it is up to everyone in Sigma Xi to work to increase membership and to bring more new members into the Society. Sigma Xi needs to initiate more new members and he urged delegates to nominate and elect new members into the Society.

   Procedural Remarks by the President

3. The President then advised delegates that, in order to streamline the business of the Assembly, the Reports of Officers and Standing Committees have been available for delegates, chapters, and members to review on the Society's Web site since early September and therefore will not be reviewed in the Assembly. Also, the minutes from the previous meeting in November 2003 were approved by a special committee of delegates from that meeting and have been available on the Society's Web site since June 2004. Therefore, the Assembly will not need to review and approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Also, this annual meeting will feature chapter and scientific posters that will be available for viewing and discussion by delegates. On Friday and Saturday, Sigma Xi's Student Research Conference will take place and include over 200 research posters by students, among other events. The President then urged delegates to take the opportunity to attend these sessions and particularly to interact with the students.

4. The Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Evan Ferguson, then explained the voting procedures to be used by delegates to select a President-elect, and for any written ballots in the Assembly of Delegates and in the regional and constituency groups. Information on the nominees for President-elect is contained in pages 55-61 of the program and information for elections in the regional and constituency groups will be handed out to delegates in the appropriate groups meetings. The Deputy Director then urged delegates to read this information carefully before casting their ballots. Finally, the Deputy Director advised delegates that Sigma Xi makes every effort to have the information on nominees of about equal length, but this year delegates may have noticed that some information on nominees may be longer than other nominees. This is most unfortunate and indicates that the Society did not do its job effectively this year for which we can only offer our apologies and our assurances that we will do a better job next year.

5. Continuing, Dr. Ayala reminded the Assembly that there is a single recommendation from the Board of Directors to be considered by the Assembly. That recommendation is the eight-point motion on annual dues for the year beginning 1 July 2005, which is contained on page 32 of the program. He added that there were only 60 minutes in this first Assembly but there would be additional Assemblies on Friday and Sunday mornings. Therefore, during this first Assembly, agenda items #1-6B would be taken up; including the recommendation of the Board to the Assembly, and any questions for clarification in regard to this issue would be answered. Thus, the business of the Society would be placed before the Assembly in this first session. Discussion of this issue would then take place in the Regional Assemblies of Delegates and in the second and third Assemblies of Delegates, if needed. Voting on this issue would take place in the second or third Assemblies depending on how much discussion will be needed on this issue by the Assembly. This process should provide ample time for discussion of the issue before voting on it. Finally, the President advised delegates that agenda items #10 B-D would take place in the Regional Assemblies of Delegates and in the Constituency Groups with the results of these elections reported in the final Assembly on Sunday morning.

   Approval of the Agenda of the Assembly of Delegates of the 105th Annual Meeting

6. The President reminded delegates that the proposed agenda for the Assembly was contained on page 30 of the Annual Meeting Program that each delegate received at registration and this information also has been available on the Society's Web site for delegates, chapters, and members to review since early September. Without objection, the proposed agenda for the Assembly of Delegates of the 105th Annual Meeting was adopted.

   Report of the President

7. Dr. Ayala reminded delegates that the Report of the President for the year ending 30 June 2004 was on pages 33 and 34 of the program booklet and has been available on the Society's Web site since early September. At the request of the President, Dr. Raven added a few remarks in regard to his report as the 2003-2004 President of Sigma Xi. First, Dr. Raven thanked Dr. Ayala for his kind introduction and expressed his great pleasure in working with Dr. Ayala on many occasions throughout the years. He also indicated that, as President of Sigma Xi, he inherited an enormous amount of progress in Sigma Xi and it was delightful to come into an organization where Dr. Sculley was getting things moving and presiding over an age of revitalization of Sigma Xi. He added that the construction of the Sigma Xi Center was a remarkable achievement and he encouraged delegates to visit the Center as soon as possible because it will indeed make them proud to be a member of Sigma Xi.

8. Continuing, Dr. Raven indicated that he was honored by his election to Sigma Xi many years ago and that he was motivated today by the increased and growing excellence of American Scientist as a magazine that all members of the Society should be justifiably proud. As President of Sigma Xi, the best thing in his view was meeting a host of new friends on the Society's Board of Directors, learning what issues were important to them, thinking about how to revitalize chapters, and other issues that face the Society. He advised delegates that the Society was a wonderful organization in which one gets out of the Society what one puts into it and he urged delegates to work hard in their chapters and induct new members and they will be rewarded. In closing his remarks, Dr. Raven indicated that it was an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to be a member of Sigma Xi and a pleasure to serve as President of such an extraordinary organization. He added that it was also a pleasure to leave Sigma Xi in the capable hands of two good friends of his, Dr. Ayala and Dr. Margulis.

9. Following his remarks, Dr. Ayala presented Dr. Raven with a few tokens of the Society's gratitude to him for his services as President of Sigma Xi. These included a certificate of appreciation, a bound volume of the issues of the magazine that were published during his tenure as President, and a card that acknowledged a gift of a Waterford crystal serving bowl that had been sent directly to his residence. In response, Dr. Raven thanked Sigma Xi and indicated that these items were certainly more than he expected or deserved as President of the Society.

   Report of the Treasurer

10. The Society's Treasurer, Dr. Richard Meyer, reminded delegates that the Report of the Treasurer was on pages 38-41 of the program booklet and also that this information also has been available of the Society's Web site since late September. He opened his remarks with some general comments on the functioning and operations of the Society. In his view, the Society continues to be a vibrant organization with a clear sense of direction and this vibrancy is based on a forward-thinking strategic plan, a restructured and well managed administrative staff, and excellent fiscal control over Sigma Xi's finances. It was indeed his pleasure to serve the Society with such dedicated officers and thoughtful and tough-minded members of the Board who bring a depth of experience and expertise to Sigma Xi. The Assembly then joined Dr. Meyer in recognizing the Officers and members of the Board.

11. Continuing, the Treasurer advised delegates that Sigma Xi had received an unqualified audit report for the year ending 30 June 2004 with no errors or omissions that reached the highest standards set by the auditing society. This audit report applies to all of Sigma Xi's revenues, expenses, federal grants and the Society's endowment. He was pleased to report that, during the past year, the revenues for Sigma Xi had increased because of a substantial gift from TUCASI, a favorable return on the Society's investments and the administrative staff has been able to control the Society's expenses. The Society's capital Campaign continues to earn a good return and the investment of the Capital Campaign funds has exceeded the cost of Sigma Xi's debt instrument on the Sigma Xi Center. However, with a changing stock market and yield in bonds, in the near future it will be to Sigma Xi's advantage to pay down its current mortgage so the Society will have a minimum amount to pay in the future.

12. Dr. Meyer then advised delegates that, for the first time, Sigma Xi now has a five-year budget in place that enables the Society to measure its progress as it goes into the future and also allows the Society to make anticipated corrections in its budget before those items become crises. This development is critical because it increases the Society's stability and reduces its risks, which are important components in operating a society. The Treasurer then expressed his concern about the Society's loss of membership but indicated that Sigma Xi has increased its efficiency and, with its new building, is able to offer new member services and benefits. In the near future, Sigma Xi will reach a point where the Society will benefit greatly from owning its own building as opposed to occupying leased space. Dr. Meyer closed his remarks by advising delegates that, if they desired detailed information on the Society's financial figures, they should feel free to ask him, the President, any member of the Board, the Executive Director, or the Deputy Director, any one of whom would be glad to answer their questions. There were no questions concerning the Report of the Treasurer.

    Report of the Executive Director

13. At the invitation of the President, the Executive Director provided additional remarks to the Report of the Executive Director that was contained on pages 35-37 of the program booklet and had been available to delegates, chapters, and members on the Society's Web site since early September. In opening his remarks, Dr. Sculley indicated that it was a great honor to be Executive Director of an organization with the legacy of Sigma Xi. He then paid tribute to the volunteer leadership of the Society beginning with Dr. Peter Raven, Immediate Past President, who has been a dedicated servant for Sigma Xi. Dr. Sculley thanked Dr. Ayala, Sigma Xi's President, for being an outstanding leader of Sigma Xi who has brought energy and dynamism to his duties, particularly in the area of membership development leading the initiative to obtain new members and chapters in Mexico. The Executive Director also thanked Dr. Meyer, the Society's Treasurer, who has been a wonderful person with whom to work. Dr. Meyer has spent a great deal of time at the Sigma Xi Center working with the Committee on Finances and the Society's Finances. In Dr. Sculley's view, the reason Sigma Xi has a healthy financial posture is because of the great leadership of Dr. Meyer. He also recognized the members of the Society's Board of Directors who contribute so much to the health of Sigma Xi with their expertise, sage counsel, and their time. Finally, Dr. Sculley paid tribute to the leaders of the chapters of Sigma Xi that have always been the centerpiece of the Society. Sigma Xi's programs are effected at the local level and he expressed his gratitude to the chapter officers for their leadership in Sigma Xi.

14. Continuing, Dr. Sculley reminded delegates that many outstanding chapter programs are outlined in the annual meeting program and he urged delegates to review them. He also reminded delegates that Sigma Xi members are advancing the health of the research enterprise through a variety of chapter programs and he thanked the chapter officers again for their leadership in the Society. The Executive Director also indicated that he was proud of the chapters that are reactivating and paid special tribute to the Alamo, Corning, and Tampa Bay Chapters who are reinvigorated and conducting outstanding programs and inducting new members. They should be proud of what they have accomplished for the Society.

15. The Executive Director then advised the Assembly concerning many of the Society's program activities. For example, Sigma Xi will cooperate with the American Association for the Advancement of Science to host the 2008 meeting of the International Public Communication of Science and Technology conference in Los Angeles, a biannual international conference that addresses the public understanding of science. Also, the United Nations-Sigma Xi Scientific Expert Group project is well underway. In this project the United Nations has asked Sigma Xi to convene a scientific expert group to provide actionable recommendations for adapting to, and mitigating, global climate change. The recommendations are to be provided in non-technical language. This effort is being led by Dr. Peter Raven who chairs the Advisory Council for the project and who will present a workshop on this project on Friday morning of the annual meeting. Other areas where the Society has undertaken partnerships in successful program areas include the Sally Ride TOYchallenge, the Teacher Link Program, and the North Carolina Partnership in Math and Science. In the international arena, Sigma Xi has created a new affiliate in Moscow, hosted a symposium in Tbilisi, an undertaken an initiative, headed by Dr. Ayala, to create new chapters in Mexico. In the area of the health of the research enterprise, Sigma Xi continues its long-established Grants-in-Aid of Research program where last year the Society awarded 639 grants for a total of $385,000 to young researchers.

16. The Executive Director then showed and discussed several slides of the Society's initiative in Mexico, including an initiation ceremony and organizational meeting in Mexico City. He also showed slides of the new Sigma Xi Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina that reflects the excellence of the Society's membership, the traditions of Sigma Xi, and the forward thinking of the Society as it addresses the issues that effect science and engineering. He also discussed the Center as venue for the service and business of the Society and highlighted several functions that have taken place in the Center, including the Grand Opening of the Center in April 2004. Dr. Sculley then returned to a slide of the entrance to the Center that showed the pavers that chapters have placed in the entrance plaza. He urged delegates to discuss with their chapters about the donation of a paver on behalf of their chapter in the plaza area of the Center.

17. In concluding his remarks, Dr. Sculley indicated that Sigma Xi is ideally positioned for success in the future thanks to the strength of its programs, its wonderful building, and its strategic plan. However, the Society's challenge is its membership. He urged delegates that, if they believe it is important to foster integrity in research, enhance the public understanding of science, and enhance the health of the research enterprise, then they will want to share the honor of membership in Sigma Xi with their colleagues and students. He reminded delegates that it is through the members of Sigma Xi that the Society effects programs that improve the quality of life for humankind through science and engineering.

18. Dr. Ayala then added a few brief remarks in regard to the Society's initiative in Mexico. He began by recognizing Dr. Ana Barahona one of the leaders in the initiative in Mexico. Referring to a news article that the Executive Director had shown, the President indicated that the article discussed the 98 new Sigma Xi members at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) but the initiative has to date resulted in about 350 new members in Mexico, about one-half of whom are new members. Dr. Ayala then explained that this imitative began with him sending letters to people he knew in Mexico, inviting them to submit their resumes for review to become members; over 80% of those invited were ultimately elected as members of the Society. More recently, he has identified an individual in each region of Mexico to lead the effort to prepare a chapter petition for that region and to help in identifying new members within the region. Dr. Ayala added that Sigma Xi might have several chapters at UNAM because it is so big but in other regions of Mexico the chapters may be composed of at least one university and a research institute of the National Council for Science & Technology/Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT). Hopefully by the November 2005 annual meeting, Sigma Xi will have 10 chapters in Mexico. In closing his brief remarks, the President indicated that, if Sigma Xi takes the effort to invite individuals to membership, they would accept the honor of membership in the Society. The initiative in Mexico has been very reassuring to him to see how willing people are to accept membership in Sigma Xi. There were no questions concerning the Report of the Executive Director.

    Appointment of the Credentials Committee, Tellers, and the Committee on Resolutions

19. The President announced that the following individuals had been appointed to the Committee on Resolutions for the 2004 Assembly of Delegates:

    C. Susan Weiler, Chair, Whitman College-Walla Walla College Chapter
    Richard Peterson, Quinnipiac Chapter
    Kathleen Triman, Franklin & Marshall Chapter

20. Dr. Ayala then announced the appointments of the following individuals to constitute the Credentials Committee for the November 2004 Assembly of Delegates:

    John S. Neuberger, Chair, University of Kansas Medical Center Chapter
    Nancy F. Smith, Eckerd College Chapter
    Gordon W. Dewald, Mayo Foundation Chapter

21. The following delegates, two from each region, were then announced by Dr. Ayala to serve as Tellers in both the Assembly of Delegates and the respective Regional Assemblies of Delegates:

    MID-ATLANTIC REGION
    Deborah G. Kemler-Nelson, Swarthmore College Chapter
    Joseph C. Pitt, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Chapter

    NORTH CENTRAL REGION
    Sarah A. Vordtriede, Head Teller, John Deere Chapter
    William H. Heidcamp, Gustavus Adolphus College Chapter

    NORTHEAST REGION
    Pamela K. Kerrigan, Manhattan College Chapter
    Grazyna Wiczek, McGill-Montreal Chapter

    NORTHWEST REGION
    Jonathan B. Clark, Weber State University Chapter
    Margaret E. Black, Washington State University Chapter

    SOUTHEAST REGION
    Patricia S. Robbert, University of New Orleans Chapter
    Errol Reiss, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chapter

    SOUTHWEST REGION
    Brian C. Hart, University of California at Irvine Chapter
    Martha A. Mann, University of Texas at Arlington Chapter

    Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors

22. The President reminded the Assembly that the motion from the Board of Directors would be presented this afternoon and questions answered for clarification of the motion. Discussion on the motion would take place in the remaining two Assemblies of Delegates and the Regional Assemblies of Delegates and the motion would be voted upon during the third Assembly on Sunday morning. The President then invited the Society's Treasurer, Dr. Richard Meyer, to introduce the eight-point motion on annual dues and fees for the year ending 30 June 2006 (FY2006) on behalf of the Board of Directors.

23. Annual Dues for 2004-2005 (FY 2005). Dr. Meyer reminded delegates that the Board's recommendation for annual dues for the year ending 30 June 2006 is contained on pages 31 and 32 of the annual meeting program. He advised delegates that the motion is consistent with previous motions concerning annual dues approved by previous Assemblies, except for the dates involved. In addition, the formula used to calculate the proposed increases in annual dues was the formula previously approved by the Assembly. Dr. Meyer indicated that he and Dr. Sculley would visit each Regional Assembly of Delegates to answer any questions in regard to the motion.

24. A delegate then asked for an explanation of the actual costs associated with the proposed increases in annual dues as calculated using the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) as compared to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as costs to colleges and universities have been reported to be rising at four times the cost of the CPI. In response, Dr. Meyer explained that the HEPI reflects more accurately the costs associated with Sigma Xi, colleges and universities, and that was the reason the Assembly previously approved tying in the Society's increases in annual dues to the HEPI. The HEPI and CPI track fairly closely over time with a difference of about 0.3% or less per year between the two. Finally, the HEPI reflects the costs of operating colleges and universities, not tuition increases or the costs that students and parents pay for education. There were no further questions concerning the motion.

    Announcements by the Executive Director

25. At the invitation of the President, Dr. Sculley made two announcements to the Assembly. First, that this afternoon the board of Directors had approved the petition for a new chapter of Sigma Xi to be established at Washington State University Vancouver and introduced Dr. Dawn Banker, representing the new chapter. Secondly, the Executive Director introduced the new Director of Membership and Chapter Programs at the Society's administrative offices, Ms. Laura Nigro.

26. Dr. Ayala then adjourned the Assembly until the second session on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m.

    SESSION II

27. Dr. Ayala opened the second session of the Assembly of Delegates by reminding delegates that in this session, the Assembly will first take up agenda item #7 (Recognition for Outstanding Membership Elections) and #8 (Presentation of Chapter Certificates of Excellence, Program Awards, and Diversity Program Awards). The remainder of the session will be spent with discussion on the recommendation from the Board of Directors.

    Recognition for Outstanding Membership Elections

28. Dr. Ayala invited Dr. Anthony Iacopino, a member of the Society's Committee on Qualifications and Membership, to oversee the presentation of the chapter awards. In his opening remarks to the Assembly, Dr. Iacopino indicated that, with 516 chapters, Sigma Xi has a tremendous infrastructure of activity in institutions around the world and that the Committee on Qualifications and Membership recognizes chapter excellence each year with a variety of awards. He then reminded the Assembly that each year Sigma Xi recognizes chapters that induct the most new members into the Society by awarding them Certificates of Recognition. This recognition is important because Sigma Xi is unique among scientific societies because chapters elect 90% of the Society's new members. He also reminded the Assembly that it is the responsibility of the chapters to maintain and build the membership of Sigma Xi. Dr. Iacopino then announced the 15 chapters to be recognized while the President presented Certificates of Recognition to delegates from those chapters in attendance at the 2004 Annual Meeting. The following chapters were recognized: Brown University Chapter, Carleton College Chapter, Claremont Colleges Chapter, Fordham University Chapter, Georgetown University Chapter, Hamilton College Chapter, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chapter, Mount Holyoke College Chapter, North Carolina State University Chapter, Saint Joseph's University Chapter, Smith College Chapter, Southern Maine Chapter, Swarthmore College Chapter, Williams College Chapter, and the University of Chicago Chapter.

    Presentation of Chapter Program Awards

29. Continuing, Dr. Iacopino reminded the Assembly that the Committee on Qualifications and Membership recognizes chapters that have organized and/or hosted a single, outstanding program during the past year. Winners of these awards are selected by the Committee on Qualifications and Membership from a pool of nominees submitted by the regional directors after reviewing the chapter annual reports submitted within their region. Letters of congratulations will be sent to the chapter members and administrators from the winning chapters. With Dr. Ayala presenting certificates to delegates from those chapters in attendance at the meeting, Dr. Iacopino then recognized the following 7 chapters, indicating for each chapter why they were selected to receive an award: Carleton College Chapter, East Carolina University Chapter, Ford Motor Company Chapter, Mesa State College Chapter, Ohio Northern University Chapter, Princeton Chapter, and the Tampa Bay Chapter.

    Presentation of Sigma Xi Chapter Diversity Awards

30. Dr. Iacopino then introduced Dr. Daniel Wubach, Chair of the Society's Committee on Diversity, to present the Chapter Diversity Program Awards. In his brief remarks to the Assembly, Dr. Wubach advised the Assembly that, in an effort to raise the visibility of diversity issues within Sigma Xi, the Committee on Diversity offers program awards to chapters that have organized outstanding programs that promote diversity within the science, engineering, and research communities. He reminded delegates that, on Saturday morning, a workshop entitled "Developing An Effective Diversity Program" would be presented that will feature ideas for increasing the diversity within the pool of scientists and engineers and he urged delegates to participate in that workshop. Continuing, Dr. Wubach explained that a review of chapter annual reports revealed that many chapters are hosting outstanding programs that address issues impacting women and minorities of all ages from elementary school through entry into the professional world. This year the Committee selected three chapters to receive this award. With Dr. Ayala presenting certificates to delegates from those chapters, Dr. Wubach then recognized the following three chapters, indicating for each chapter why they were selected to receive a Chapter Diversity Program Award: The Ford Motor Company Chapter, the Rockefeller Chapter, and the South Texas Chapter.

    Presentation of Certificates of Excellence

31. Continuing, Dr. Iacopino advised the Assembly that the Committee on Qualifications and Membership awards Certificates of Excellence each year to chapters for their overall outstanding activity during the past year. In selecting these chapters, the Constituency Directors reviewed the annual reports from chapters in their constituency and nominated 5 chapters from their group to the Committee who made the final selections. The Committee selected these chapters based on the following criteria: impact of the chapter's program on the community; level of innovation or initiative; breadth and variety of programs; and overall quality of the chapter's program. Dr. Iacopino then recognized the 8 chapters, indicating for each why they were selected to receive the award, while Dr. Ayala presented Certificates of Excellence to delegates from the chapters who were in attendance at the meeting. The following chapters were recognized: East Carolina University Chapter, Rockefeller Chapter, South Florida Water Management District Chapter, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Chapter, Tampa Bay Chapter, Tidewater Virginia Chapter, University of Nebraska Chapter, and the University of Toledo Chapter.

32. Dr. Iacopino then advised delegates that delegates from chapters receiving awards are wearing special ribbons on their name badges and he urged delegates to congratulate them and to talk with them about how their chapters have been so successful. Dr. Iacopino, on behalf of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership, closed his remarks by congratulating and applauding the chapters receiving awards.

    Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors (Resumed)

33. Annual Dues for 2005-2006 (FY2006). Dr. Ayala advised delegates that the remainder of the second session would be used for discussion of the recommendation from the Board of Directors to the Assembly in regard to the 8-point motion on annual dues. He then advised delegates that the Assembly could vote on the motion in this session but the Society's Parliamentarian recommends that the vote be delayed until the final session on Sunday morning. Delaying the vote until the final Assembly will enable delegates to discuss this motion in the Regional Assemblies of Delegates that will take place between this and the final Assembly. There were no questions or comments in regard to the 8-point motion on annual dues.

34. Dr. Ayala then adjourned the Assembly until Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.

    SESSION III

35. The President-elect, Dr. Lynn Margulis, advised delegates that Dr. Ayala could not participate in the final session of the Assembly and therefore she, as President-elect, would preside over the final Assembly. The President-elect then advised the Assembly that, during this session, they would undertake the remaining items on the agenda that included agenda items #10 - 13.

    Remarks by the President-elect

36. Dr. Margulis began her remarks by indicating that she admires Sigma Xi because of its dedication to scientific research regardless of one's affiliation or economic status. In her view, Sigma Xi is beyond the disciplines, beyond our academic institutions, and beyond our geographic locations. Therefore, the Society is in a position to raise scientific questions of great broad interest beyond the local, immediate problems that we all face in our daily lives. She then took several minutes to elucidate some of the great questions that she felt should be considered by scientists and the public. The first issue involved the reconstruction of the scientific epic of evolution on earth. She reminded delegates that all of life in the universe, as we know it, is limited to 20 kilometers along the surface of the planet earth. Showing a slide of the earth rising from the moon, Dr. Margulis explained that astronaut James Lovell, who took the picture, realized that all life, all resources, everything that we know is contained within this small area of the earth, and astronauts realize the finiteness of human life on this planet. Science therefore has the opportunity to reconstruct the scientific epic of evolution; i.e., the scientific view of the history, life, and the place of people within this 20-kilometer band on the earth's surface that extends 12 kilometers into the abyss and 8 kilometers above the abyss.

37. Continuing, the President-elect explored the effect of microorganisms on the earth's atmosphere that has made this planet's atmosphere so much different from its neighbors Venus and Mars who had similar atmospheres when all three planets were formed. Citing numerous examples, Dr. Margulis explained that, for hundreds of millions of years, bacteria, and a variety of other microorganisms, have reduced carbon dioxide and made oxygen that enabled the earth's atmosphere able to support life, while the atmospheres of Venus and Mars remain carbon dioxide atmospheres that cannot support life. In addition, Venus and Mars remain arid planets, while the earth has three kilometers of water that also allowed for the evolution of life and life on earth maintains the water on this planet.

38. After explaining the importance of microorganisms in allowing for the evolution of life on this planet, Dr. Margulis emphasized that the evolution of humans is an infinitesimally small fraction of the time line of life on earth. That is, most of the time line of life on earth has been occupied by a wide variety of bacteria and other microorganisms, not by humans. Thus, if one were to extend their arms wide apart to represent the time line of life on earth, the entire existence of humans in this time line could be eliminated with one swipe of a finger nail file on one's finger nail!

39. The President-elect then explained that the name given to the physiological system of life at the earth's surface is the Gaia concept, which occurs within the thin zone of the earth's surface that extends 12 kilometers into the abyss and 8 kilometers above the abyss. The Gaia concept includes aspects of the atmosphere and the earth' surface and is modulated by the activities of more than 20 million types of life organisms. In effect, we would have a vastly different planet without the activities of life on earth - a planet, in fact, much like Venus or Mars. Dr. Margulis then made brief mention of Samuel Butler's prediction that the laying of the trans-Atlantic telegraph cables would result in the annihilation of time and place via instant communication, much like we have seen with the advent of the Internet.

40. In closing her remarks to the Assembly, Dr. Margulis explained that she believes Sigma Xi is an unbiased scientific society that is dedicated to scientific research where, in principle, all people, regardless of their economic, social, or racial status, can participate in scientific research. Thus, Sigma Xi is in a position to address many of the important issues that she has just discussed. Inviting delegates to forward to her any additional suggestions they may have, Dr. Margulis indicated that she would address six topics in her editorials in American Scientist as President of Sigma Xi because through these columns these issues can reach genuinely concerned scientists and researchers. She then enumerated the proposed six articles as follows:
    • Reconstruction of the scientific epic of evolution, based on scientific evidence.
    • Identification, classification, and naming of the earth's life forms.
    • Hands-on science education for everyone, including middle and high school students, and politicians.
    • International scientific "Google" on the Internet where anyone can access the best scientific information that is continually corrected.
    • Preservation of our environmental heritage and respect for the 30 million non-human organisms on this planet.
    • To be determined.

    Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors (Resumed)

41. Annual Dues for 2005-2006 (FY2006). Dr. Margulis asked if there were any questions or comments in regard to the 8-point motion on annual dues for FY2006. Without questions or comments, the Assembly then unanimously approved by a standing vote the motion on annual dues for 2005-2006 (FY2006).

    Election of Officers.

42. The President announced that the following individual had been elected by the Assembly of Delegates to serve as President-elect of the Society from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006:

    James F. Baur, San Diego Chapter

    Election of Directors of Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups

43. Dr. Margulis then announced that the following individuals had been elected by their respective region or constituency group to serve as Directors of the group, and as members of the Board of Directors, for three years from July 1, 2005:

    RESEARCH & DOCTORAL UNIVERSITIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP
    Anthony M. Iacopino, Marquette University Chapter

    MID-ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHIC REGION
    Timothy J. Ng, University of Maryland Chapter

    NORTHEAST GEOGRAPHIC REGION
    Zachary J. Jacobson, Ottawa Chapter

    NORTHWEST GEOGRAPHIC REGION
    John J. Kelley, Alaska Chapter

    SOUTHEAST GEOGRAPHIC REGION
    Ann H. Williams, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapter

    Election of Associate Directors of Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups.

44. The President also announced that the following individuals had been elected by their respective constituency group to serve as Associate Directors of the group for three years from July 1, 2005:

    COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP
    Richard W. LoPinto, Fairleigh Dickinson University Chapter

    AREA GROUPS, INDUSTRIES, STATE & FEDERAL LABORATORIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP
    Linda H. Mantel, Columbia Willamette Chapter

    Election of Members of the Committee on Nominations by Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups.

45. Finally, Dr. Margulis announced that the following individuals had been elected by their respective geographic region or constituency group to serve three years on the Committee on Nominations from November 14, 2004:

    BACCALAUREATE COLLEGES CONSTITUENCY GROUP
    Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, Claremont Colleges Chapter

    CANADIAN/INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUENCY GROUP
    Patricia D. Ross, University of Toronto Chapter

    NORTH CENTRAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION
    Clifford C. Chancey, University of Northern Iowa Chapter

    SOUTHWEST GEOGRAPHIC REGION
    Jacqueline H. Ericksen, University of New Mexico Chapter

    Report of the Committee on Resolutions.

46. Dr. Kathleen Triman, a member of the Committee on Resolutions, moved the adoption of the following commemorative resolutions on behalf of the Committee:

    BE IT RESOLVED that the 105th Annual Assembly of Delegates of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society commends Dr. Francisco Ayala for a very successful meeting. Be it further resolved that this Assembly commends the Officers of the Society and the Sigma Xi staff for their assistance in organizing and running the meeting.

    BE IT RESOLVED that the 105th Annual Assembly of Delegates of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society commends the following chapters in recognition of their anniversary celebrations as chapters of the Society:

    100 Years
    Case Western University Chapter
    Indiana University Chapter

    75 Years
    Bucknell University Chapter

    50 Years
    Brooklyn College Chapter
    Florida State University Chapter
    Franklin & Marshall College Chapter
    Lamar University Chapter
    Oak Ridge Chapter
    Stevens Institute of Technology Chapter
    University of New Hampshire Chapter
    University of New Mexico Chapter
    University of Texas Medical Branch Chapter

    25 Years
    Western Connecticut State University

    The resolutions were adopted unanimously by the Assembly.

    Report of the Credentials Committee

47. The Chair of the Credentials Committee, Dr. John Neuberger, reported that 177 chapters were represented by 183 delegates and additional delegates at the November 2004 Annual Meeting. The membership-at-large was represented by 3 delegates. The Committee noted that a delegate representing the Australian and Hungarian Chapters also were in attendance at the November 2004 Annual Meeting. Therefore, there were a total of 177 chapters represented at the November 2004 Annual Meeting and 186 delegates and additional delegates in attendance at the meeting.

48. The delegate from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology Chapter then indicated that he believed a delegate from Prague also was in attendance at the meeting. The President-elect indicated that, if indeed this was correct, the Committee's report would be amended to reflect this omission. The Report of the Credentials Committee was then accepted unanimously by the Assembly by a standing vote.

    Adjournment

49. The President-elect then thanked delegates for their attendance and participation in the meeting and declared the 105th Assembly of Delegates adjourned.