Report of the President
for the Year ending June 30, 2007

In this report I would like to spotlight some notable accomplishments achieved by the Society and to extend my thanks to the many who work so tirelessly and with such dedication on our behalf.

It is my distinct pleasure to report that the Society has been a beacon of light for all of us. The following examples illustrate how proud I am to be a member.

• One area in which Sigma Xi has played a key role is the National Science Board's recent report "A National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education System." NSB's fellow, Dr. Elizabeth Strickland, in a contract with Sigma Xi, has been an invaluable aid to the NSB in preparing the report. We expect to see much press and a high degree of visibility given to the report when it is formally released, and we expect to be central to implementation initiatives.
• Another has been Sigma Xi's pioneering work in establishing science cafés. Pioneering a model based on the NOVA scienceNOW series, in collaboration with WGBH Boston, the Society has created a chapter tool kit and many chapters have launched their own science cafés. Sigma Xi also has developed with WGBH a one-stop shopping website for Science Café organizers - sciencecafes.org.
• An initiative that has brought Sigma Xi to the foreground of the public policy arena is its report titled Confronting Climate Change: Avoiding the Unmanageable and Managing the Unavoidable. Undertaken by the United Nations Foundation and Sigma Xi, this report was written by the Scientific Expert Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in preparation for the meeting of the UN's Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). The report outlines a roadmap for avoiding unmanageable climate changes and adapting to the degree of change that can no longer be prevented. The report was released at a press conference at the UN and Sigma Xi hosted a reception at the New York Academy of Sciences to honor the authors. Representatives of Sigma Xi also met with congressional staff to discuss the report.
• The First Sigma Xi Honorary Member Gathering and Roundtable was a sparkling occasion for wit, humor, and keen insights into communicating science to the public. The great communicators of our time joined in celebrating science and sharing their wisdom and experiences. Guests included Richard Harris, science correspondent for National Public Radio, and our very own Rosalind Reid, currently on sabbatical as a visiting fellow at Harvard University.
• Sigma Xi has been a leading voice in national concerns about the preparation of scientists and engineers for participation in a globally mapped scientific world. Prepared by Sigma Xi Visiting Scholar Dr. Elizabeth Kirk, the report is based on discussions at a three-day workshop called Assuring a Globally Engaged Science and Engineering Workforce that was held at National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters in Arlington, Va. For the NSF-funded workshop, Sigma Xi brought together a group of 70 researchers, educators and industry representatives, along with 40 NSF staff, to address the question of how to cultivate and promote a globally competent U.S. science and engineering workforce.
• National and international subscriptions to and newsstand sales of American Scientist reached record numbers and attest to the high regard in which this magazine is held.
• In 2007 we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Lectureship Program! This program continues to be an excellent opportunity for chapters to host visits from outstanding individuals who are at the leading edge of science.

With gratitude for all the work of chapter officers, the Board, the staff, and the generous time members volunteer to keep Sigma Xi a vibrant presence in science and society.

James F. Baur, Ph.D.
President 2006-2007

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