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

November 1-4, 2007
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
and Golf Club

MINUTES

Proceedings of the Assembly of Delegates

The Assembly of Delegates to the November 2007 Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society was convened at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida in three sessions on 1, 2 and 4 November 2007. The President of Sigma Xi, Dr. James Porter, chaired all three sessions.

ASSEMBLY I - Thursday, November 1, 2:00-3:30 pm

Call to Order and Welcome
Sigma Xi President James Porter declared the Assembly of Delegates I open.

He invited the Sigma Xi Staff and the Board to come forward for acknowledgement, and noted presence of Parliamentarian Nola Pursiful.

Remarks by Candidates for President

Howard Ceri
Dr. Porter introduced the first candidate, Dr. Howard Ceri of the University of Calgary, and invited him to the podium.

Dr. Ceri thanked the delegates for nominating him to run for election to be president of the Society, and addressed the Assembly on the challenges the Society is facing. He stated that key is the need to maintain the optimism, the dedication, the commitment and the love of science that made everyone want to be members of the Society. The message and purpose of the Society have never been more real than they are today. Dr. Ceri believes that Sigma Xi is a relevant Society, and that the issues it stands for and values it upholds are more important today than they probably were at the time the Society was conceived.

As Dr. Ceri noted, we are facing global issues, i.e. global warming; the efficacy of antibiotics; waste & pollution - there is a long list of problems the world faces and will need the help of science to rectify. The Society and its great breadth of members have much to offer as scientists and advisors to government - this puts the Society in a place of greater strength and recognition than ever before. It should give the membership reason for going out and working hard to develop our local chapters to fulfill the roles they see in answering these questions. Dr. Ceri stated that Sigma Xi has a good product, has a reason to be, and asked - why is the Society facing the current problems?

The answer, per Dr. Ceri, is marketing - how we present ourselves to the next generation of scientists, how we get their energy, excitement and commitment to helping solve the problems the world faces, and work with Sigma Xi to be the scientific experts in this field - these are the questions. We need to take a long, hard look at ourselves and how we are perceived, how we present ourselves, and how we can change our image so that we become relevant to the next generation of scientists so they will fill the seats that you are now occupying and become givers and contributors to the scientific society and the society at large. We have the ways to do that in the Society, it's just a matter of focus and rethinking some of the fundamentals we have in dealing with our young scientists.

Richard Meyer
Dr. Porter returned to the podium to make an announcement regarding Rick Meyer. He informed the Assembly that the other candidate for President, Dr. Richard Meyer, in order to continue his critical roles as Treasurer, Chair of the Committee on Finances and Chair of the Executive Director Review Committee decided to withdraw his candidacy. He commended Dr. Meyer on his selfless decision, his willingness to serve long hours without pay, and to eschew the honor in order to focus on service to the Society.

Dr. Porter then informed the Assembly of the special award that was given to Rick Meyer during the earlier Board meeting, and read the Certificate of Appreciation that was presented to him.

Dr. Porter asked Parliamentarian Pursiful if there was anything that would prevent Sigma Xi from proceeding to a vote on the single standing candidate. Ms. Pursiful reported on her review of the Society's Constitution and Bylaws. She stated that according to Section 3B "Electing Officers" in the Constitution, and Section 3 of the Bylaws, which is silent on the method of voting, the Society can vote any way they wish.

Dr. Porter proposed that the Assembly proceed to a voice vote for the single standing candidate. The Assembly unanimously elected Dr. Howard Ceri as the next President of Sigma Xi. [FY2009 - President-elect; FY2010 - President; FY2011 - Immediate Past President]

A suggestion came from the floor that the voting regulations be reviewed and perhaps changed, particularly so that nominations could be accepted from the floor in a case such as having a single candidate. Dr. Porter asked the Parliamentarian if the bylaws should be changed to address this issue, and she recommended that it would be absolutely advisable.

Announcements
Dr. Porter reminded the delegates to register for the meeting, and asked that the Credentials Committee gather at the Sigma Xi Registration desk at 11:00-11:30 am on Saturday November 3. He also reminded the delegates to bring their packets with them to their caucuses, and of the chapter sessions, award luncheons, science sessions, posters, exhibitors, etc.

Approval of Agenda Dr. Porter then called the delegates attention to the Agenda on page thirty-six of the Annual Meeting program booklet and reminded them that this Agenda has been on the Sigma Xi Web site for review since September 1, 2007. He made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded and the Agenda was unanimously adopted by voice vote.

Role of the Delegates
Dr. Porter invited Dr. Linda Meadows, Executive Director, to the podium.

Dr. Meadows addressed the delegates about their role as delegates to the Annual Meeting, reminding them that they are representing their chapters and will be dealing with elections and other matters in their caucuses, and asked for their thoughtful participation.

Credentials Committee
Dr. Meadows then asked the Credentials Committee members to stand and be recognized.

Dr. Bradley Bowden - Alfred University
Dr. Thomas Dreschel - South Florida Water Management District
Dr. Nancy Smith - Eckerd College Chapter, Chair

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

Mid-Atlantic Region
Doug Norton, Villanova University Chapter
David Pearson, Bucknell University Chapter

North Central Region
Diana Godish, Ball State University Chapter
Aaron Monte, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Northeast Region
Richard Peterson, Quinnipiac Chapter
Tony Whitehead, McGill-Montreal Chapter

Northwest Region
HollyAnn Harris (Head Teller), Omaha Chapter
Cathy Skokan, Colorado School of Mines Chapter

Southeast Region
Ken Martin, Berry College
Penny Padgett, University of NC-Chapel Hill

Southwest Region
Austin Cunningham, University of Texas at Dallas
Bert Little, Tarleton State University

Remarks by the President
Dr. Porter returned to the podium and began his remarks by impressing upon the delegates how important this Annual Meeting is given the challenges the Society is facing, and which everyone in the room is going to be called upon to address in this meeting. Dr. Porter presented his remarks using a PowerPoint presentation he entitled "Evo-Devo," for evolution or devolution. The future of Sigma necessitates an extraordinarily provocative question: Are we living in our glorious past or are we heading to our glorious future? We are at that crossroads.

The world is changing fast. One of the ways we know that it will be different is who will be doing science - that is also, hopefully, who we are. Dr. Porter's presentation included a clip from a CBS Evening News report on the lack of trained engineers in the U.S. and the increasing number of foreign nationals who are studying science at U.S. universities. He stated that "We as a Society will only survive if we engage in the scientific nature of our endeavor . . . Our future must be more than our past and this meeting is about that future."

Membership has gone down since 1982 from a high of 122,000 to today's 60,000 members. These losses are unsustainable, they threaten the existence of our Society, the things we stand for, the things that we can do as a Society. The question is why this has occurred. We lose three members for every two that we initiate. Forty-thousand members did not pay dues from 2003 - 2007. We need to reactivate these members - we must give them a reason that inspires them to pay their dues every year, and must personally contact each lapsed member every year to motivate them to renew. This is going to be your responsibility and your chapter's responsibility. One of the most important things chapters can do is attending to this membership issue. Chapters are doing a wonderful job of initiating new members, but retention is a problem. On a recent survey 52% of those who did not renew said that there was not enough value. We need to address this. The honor is no longer enough.

In addition to working on our chapters and working on our membership we may have to work on the leadership of our institutions to explain to them why Sigma Xi matters. Why ethical conduct of science is important, why interdisciplinary research is important. We must demonstrate our Society's value and role, that's what is going to improve membership. We need to increase Sigma Xi's prominence in science policy.

Dr. Porter showed an ABC News report on the watering down of a report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which noted that weather and health are linked. This was a case of politics trumping science. We must make Sigma Xi a north star that everyone points to with pride. And part of that mission is going to be to emphasize the ethics of science and the ethical use of science. There is a difference between bias and advocacy. Bias is knowing the facts and disregarding them. Advocacy is knowing the facts and acting on them. Amnesty International is now hearing from scientists who are seeking help from the organization due to repression they are experiencing.

Returning to the challenges Sigma Xi is facing, Dr. Porter stated that members also don't renew because they were never contacted. He presented a mandate for survival - we need to address our membership and income problems. Every year we operate in a deficit, our expenses still exceed our income, which has created a situation that is dire for us financially.

Membership below 60,000 spends us out of existence and that's the number we're hovering at now. It depletes our endowment in five to ten years and negatively impacts our ability to fund raise. This results in a negative feedback loop - the more you need money the less you may be able to make a compelling case to a potential donor organization or granting agency.

Dr. Porter noted that Sigma Xi is not alone; almost all professional societies are facing the same kind of problem. Phi Beta Kappa, NYAS, and others are all facing the issue of value. He offered these suggestions: 1) he wants everyone to brainstorm, write their ideas down and let us know through suggestion box and email; 2) work together with your chapter, the strength of the society is with its chapters and its members: keep the slate of officers fresh, conduct regular high visibility programs, induct student members, promote GIAR, identify high-profile faculty members on your campus and induct them.

The Society also needs to examine the category of Emeritus members - today one-quarter of members pay emeritus dues, in five years one-third of members will be eligible for the emeritus rate. It is recommended that these members pay full dues, which will be a big factor in keeping the Society financially viable. There are also many ways to contribute to the Society, and Dr. Porter asked the members to be open to a dues increase. He explained that the portfolio of strategies to ensure survival has to include a dues increase, and understands how onerous this can be. Per his favorite Chinese proverb - each one, teach one - raise membership one by one, that's how we're going to do it.

To illustrate how important teamwork is, Dr. Porter showed an ABC News clip of a water buffalo calf being attacked by lions, and a crocodile. The heard returned to the calf and fought off the lions and crocodile, saving the calf. He closed his remarks by encouraging the members that we can do it together, we can make a difference and we're going to.

Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors
Dr. Porter invited Rick Meyer back to the podium to present the 9-Point Motion - Annual Dues for 2008-2009 (FY 2009).

Dr. Meyer explained that the 9-Point Motion was recommended to the Board by the Committee on Finances. The Board has reviewed and approved the motion, and it is now forwarded to the delegates for their action. Delegates have had an opportunity to read the motion on the Sigma Xi Web site and on page thirty-seven of the Annual Meeting program. On behalf of the Board of Directors Dr. Meyer then placed the 9-Point Motion for Fiscal Year 2009 before the delegates for adoption on behalf of the Board of Directors, noting that presentation carries an implied second.

Dr. Porter returned to the podium to report on another action of the Board that took place at its earlier meeting. In recognition of Dr. Linda Meadows' extraordinary and conscientious execution of her duties as Interim Executive Director, the Board voted to drop "Interim" from her title.

Executive Director's Remarks
Dr. Meadows expressed how honored she was to be given the Executive Director title, and honored to serve the Society and work with the staff.

She advised the delegates that there would be some filming during the Annual Meeting, as well as podcasting. Dr. Meadows also called the delegates' attention to a chapter officer and member survey that Sigma Xi is doing, which is on the Society's Web site, and asked for their participation.

Sigma Xi is also working on an undergraduate research experiences survey nationwide. Several Sigma Xi members are working to develop funding, a survey instrument, and the necessary network to support the most comprehensive survey of undergraduate research ever undertaken. Lead investigator is Mary Crowe, Director of the Undergraduate Research Office at University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Other core team members include Bill Klemm, with Texas A&M University and a Sigma Xi Board member, Lon Kaufman, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago, and Anne MacLachlan, Senior Researcher at the Center for Studies in Higher Education, University of California, Berkeley, along with Roger Harris, Sigma Xi's Director of Membership & Chapters. All will be working together on the Survey. Dr. Meadows invited Roger Harris to speak about the survey.

Mr. Harris explained that the survey is in the formative stages. So far a team of experts in undergraduate research has been put together. Undergraduate research is a booming area of research at institutions around the country and Sigma Xi's goal is to evaluate a range of parameters including the scope of undergraduate research at various institutions and among different disciplines, and long-term impact into a student's formal employment. Mr. Harris asked the delegates to keep up to date with how the survey is going via a Web site, and said that the Society is also looking for participants. A public announcement was made a couple of weeks ago by Dr. Crowe, and a presentation will be made November 16 by Dr. Kaufman to the University Vice Presidents meeting of the U.S. at the Reinvention Center, Coral Gables, Florida .

Dr. Meadows returned to the podium and noted that Dr. Porter had set the stage of what Sigma Xi's situation is. The Board has been meeting and brainstorming on "What is the role of Sigma Xi?" Sigma Xi is secondary to everyone's disciplinary societies. We have to work on getting the Society's role defined. The delegates will be brainstorming during their caucuses, and after the Annual Meeting we will be talking to some distinguished leaders, more members of the younger generation, and are going to put it all together and give it back to the members - here is the direction we think we're headed in that really makes sense. What do you think? Are we getting it right?

The Society has already cut expenses: it has eliminated seven staff positions, has begun printing American Scientist on less expensive paper, and is doing many other things to cut costs. There has also been discussion of having American Scientist as an online publication, but this is a complicated issue.

In order to generate more revenue the Society sells Sigma Xi branded merchandise, rents the facilities at headquarters (which generated $20,000 last year), we have done many things and can perhaps do more. Everyone is hopeful that there is a special role for Sigma Xi and that we can find it together. It will be what inspires us to continue our membership and will make it easier to recruit new members.

Dr. Meadows reported that Kelly Sullivan, a new Sigma Xi Board member attended a recent convocation on the role of science & technology in policy making at the state level. There are organizations that the Federal government can call on for expertise and guidance. What organization do the states have? Sigma Xi is chapter based, so maybe that's a role for the Society, as a resource center for state and local government.

Sigma Xi's International Committee is working on a water conference for 2009. Water is the last resource that will probably pit nation against nation; we've already seen state against state over control of water. What if each of the chapters worked on Science Cafés on the interdisciplinary issues involved in water, what if we did it regionally? Next year's Annual Meeting is in Washington, D.C. so we can get leaders there involved. In addition, Membership at Large Constituency Director Richard Guillory has proposed doing an interdisciplinary publication electronically. The possibilities are endless and exciting, and we really welcome your suggestions.

Dr. Porter returned to the podium, thanked Dr. Meadows for her presentation and commented about the extraordinary drought in the southeast. Alabama, Florida & Georgia are in serious conflict over water.

Judging Orientation
Dr. Porter invited Kevin Bowen to the podium to review the judging procedures for the Student Research Conference.

Dr. Porter returned to the podium to give a brief reminder of the regional caucuses beginning at 4:00 pm.

Adjournment
Dr. Porter then adjourned Assembly I.

ASSEMBLY II - Friday, November 2, 3:00-4:30 pm

President Porter called Assembly II to order.

Recognition of Immediate Past President - James F. Baur
Dr. Baur served as the Society's President from July 2006 through June 2007

Dr. Porter gave a review of Dr. Baur's tenure as President of the Society, and the many activities and efforts he was involved in to promote Sigma Xi. He invited Dr. Baur to the podium to receive a Certificate of Recognition, noted that Dr. Baur will also receive a volume of bound issues of American Scientist containing his editorials, as well as a very special gift - a gemstone globe. A picture of the globe was projected for the delegates to view.

Dr. Baur took the podium and made brief remarks, thanking the Society for his gifts and urging the delegates to continue their support of Sigma Xi.

Report of the Treasurer
Treasurer Dr. Richard Meyer was introduced and asked to give the Treasurer's report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2007.

Dr. Meyer explained that his report will cover not only Sigma Xi's past fiscal year, but the present state and look forward to the future. For the past fiscal year, for the first time, he reported a variance in performance. The FY 2007 Operating Budget approved by the Board was not adhered to, the revenues were under expectations and the expenses significantly exceeded the approved amount. For the first time in his tenure as Treasurer, Sigma Xi did not receive a clean audit report. The auditors found significant deficiencies, or a combination of significant deficiencies, which resulted in a notation of material weakness.

The present is good news; these issues have been addressed. Some of them were a result of trying to merge two database systems. There were also some procedural aspects and these have been addressed and the Board has taken care of them. Several of the activities taken to make corrections by the Acting and Interim Executive Directors had multiple components, i.e. the FY2008 budget was reviewed by the Acting and present Executive Directors, in conjunction with the staff. As a result a new operating budget was developed that identified over $600,000 in savings. The staff was magnificent in identifying these savings. We are now a streamlined, minimal organization that focuses on essential services. However, there are some vacancies that need to be filled, and some adjustments that need to be accomplished.

During this period we have made a significant shift in the financing of the Sigma Xi Center. In the past we had pledged our endowment as security for the building. In order to utilize the valuable physical asset of the building as collateral, we formed a self-owned limited liability corporation - Sigma Xi Center LLC. With this accomplished, we were able to find a favorable fixed-rate mortgage, with the physical plant as collateral, freeing up more precise management of the endowment funds. The Sigma Xi Center is evaluated at $12.25 million, which gives it a good equity over the balance of the mortgage, which is $8.45 million.

A new strategic plan has been accepted by the Board, a future roadmap for the Society. This is important because we manage the budget to accomplish the strategic plan, and your activities this week will be fed back into the strategic plan and they become the roadmap for carrying out the activities of the Society. The Committee on Finances can then use this roadmap to develop the budget and bring it to the Board.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Meyer reported that he, Dr. Meadows and Assistant Treasurer Jasmine Shah have developed an outline for the FY 2009 budget. The skeleton budget has fixed costs in place, and with Board guidance - plus staff input - we will have it near completion in early 2008. As soon as this is completed, a revised, rolling five-year budget will be prepared to forecast the needs in the future.

Dr. Meyer then offered a personal observation. We are returning to a vibrant society with a clearer sense of direction. This vibrancy is based on a foundation of active involvement by the delegates and members; and by thinking forward via strategic planning; a functional, organized and well-managed supporting staff; and due diligence by improved fiscal control by the Officers, the Board and a new Executive Director. Dr. Meyer stated that it is his profound pleasure to work with these dedicated people. He asked the assembly to join him in expressing acclaim for the dedication of the staff, the Board, the Officers, the many committee members and yourselves - the delegates and members who serve the Society.

Status of Executive Director Search
Dr. Porter invited Dr. David Lever, a member of the Executive Director Search Committee to present its report on their progress.

Dr. Lever reported that Dr. Ann Williams, who had to leave the Annual Meeting due to family business, asked him to present the report. He identified the members of the committee as Carol Beck, chair of the Committee on Qualifications & Membership, Emma Creaser, chair of Grants-in-Aid of Research, Linda Mantel of the Strategic Planning Committee, Richard Miller from the Committee on Finances and three members from the Executive Committee: himself, from the Baccalaureate Colleges Constituency, John Kelley as Northwest Regional Director and Ann Williams, chair and president-elect.

Recruitment efforts began in August with August 1st and 2nd ads on the Sigma Xi and American Scientist Web sites, as well as ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) and AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Web sites. Also, in mid-August there was a news release to various media, science associations, other science publications and the local North Carolina news media, and there was an e-blast to Chapter Officers and all Sigma Xi members. There were no ads in magazines such as Science due to exorbitant costs, but there were news briefs in the American Scientist Update e-newsletter as well.

As of the application deadline, which was October 15, 2007, Yolanda Thorpe-Harris at Sigma Xi headquarters had received forty applications. These were reviewed by Rick Meyer and Ann Williams and culled to fifteen candidates for analysis by the rest of the committee. Information on these candidates was sent out to the committee on October 17, along with a copy of the Duties of the Executive Director, as approved by the Board. There is a conference call to discuss and rank the candidates scheduled for November 14, so the committee is actively reviewing the applications in preparation for this call. In the next several weeks, up to December 7, the committee will research the final candidates, and there will be another conference around December 12 to review this information and complete the final ranking. The plan calls for interviews with the final candidates in mid-January, at which time three additional members will join the search committee: Jim Porter as President, Rick Meyer as Treasurer and a headquarters staff member to be named later. They will participate in the interview process, but without a vote. The goal is that by mid-February there will be a recommendation on selection put before the Board of Directors.

Fund Raising Report
Dr. Porter invited Kristen Greenaway, Director of Development for Sigma Xi, to address the Assembly on fundraising.

Ms. Greenaway explained that her presentation is not a report on fundraising activities and results, but an exhortation to the heart. She mentioned that the Annual Fund mailing had just gone out, and the theme this year is generations, something that is part of the essence of Sigma Xi. The members throughout their careers try to encourage the next generation of researchers to become members and to be the future of science and engineering. We're hoping this encourages your financial help, and that you can make a donation to the Annual Fund during this Annual Meeting. Registration packets included a blue "Tar Heels" envelope that can be used to submit a donation.

So far during the meeting Sigma Xi welcomed three new Companions: Gary Laursen, Linda Mantel and Cliff Chancey, who is a Board member. A Companion is someone who gives $500 a year to Sigma Xi, and there are about 380 Companions, and out of the 60,000 members, these Companions give 30% of the Annual Fund. They are a major stalwart to the Society and its programs. This year we need your money more than ever, over and above your dues. For the next generation, we need to make sure that we have the future of the Society, and the future of research science and engineering secure.

Report on the Board Brainstorming Session and Caucus Discussions
Dr. Porter then invited Dr. Meadows to make a few remarks. Dr. Meadows informed those in the Assembly who may have checked in late and missed Assembly I that Sigma Xi is going to collect all the wonderful ideas generated by the delegates at the meetings, as well as the Board's work, and talk with distinguished leaders in the Society, outside the Society, the voices of the younger generation and consult with them. All of this will be put together in a cohesive unit that has a vision and an action plan for moving us forward, we will play it back to the membership to see if we're getting it right - does this feel to you like a Society that you want to see in the 21st Century? We'll be ready for this transformational shift by the summer of 2008. We're going to move this quickly because this is our pivotal time.

Dr. Meadows then answered a question that has come up fairly often: "Why, with our financial situation are we holding a meeting in a luxurious locale like this one?" The answer is that because of the Student Research Conference component of our annual meeting we need the space for the exhibits and the presentations. When you're at that magnitude of space you're negotiating with everyone for the best deal. It may look like this can't possibly be the best deal because it's so unlike anything we're accustomed to, but indeed it turns out to be the best deal. In negotiating for the annual meeting location three-years out, the staff works very hard to get the best deal for the Society.

Also, we're hearing a lot from the younger generation as to what about social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Friendster: what are we doing in these areas, is this where we should be? Yes, if we want to engage and motivate our younger members. It's the way they communicate, interact and even do science. We're going there, and we're going to get there soon. Dr. Meadows invited Roger Harris to address these issues.

Mr. Harris noted that there is a lot of talk about new technologies that are available on the Internet. This paradigm shift comes under the umbrella of "social networking." These networks rely on a variety of different platforms. How does this fit with Sigma Xi? Sigma Xi is a network with its members and chapters, so social networking is what we're doing anyway. But the connectivity of these new platforms gives us more power. How do we implement this connectivity? We can organize events and meetings, do publicity and outreach, highlight achievements of particular members, and we can also feature events - video or photos. All this is ultimately about connecting members with each other. It can be set up at the Society level, and we can also suggest to chapters how they might set up their own social networking sites. The point is we're just exploring the possibilities now, we need your participation, suggestions and input as to what will work best for you.

Dr. Meadows again reminded the delegates of the filming that will be going on, and the science blogger who will be reporting on the Annual Meeting.

Dr. Porter returned to the podium and reminded everyone that the third and final Assembly is on Sunday at 10:15 am, and then invited Dr. Zach Jacobson to the podium.

Dr. Jacobson informed the delegates that there was a grassroots request from the Northeast to have a thirty-minute informal meeting to supplement the other meetings, as some attendees missed the first caucus. He invited the delegates from the Northeast to remain in the room following Assembly II for a short caucus.

Roger Harris - reminded everyone of a meeting concerning the undergraduate research survey on Saturday at 9:30 am.

Dr. Porter then adjourned Assembly II.

ASSEMBLY III - Sunday, November 4, 10:15-11:00 am

President Porter called Assembly III to order.

Dr. Porter began the Assembly by announcing that Stanford Ovshinsky is the 2007 winner of the Walston Chubb Award for Innovation. He was unfortunately unable to attend the Annual Meeting. Dr. Porter invited Al Saperstein from Wayne State University to tell the Assembly about his colleague, Stan Ovshinsky.

Mr. Saperstein explained that Mr. Ovshinsky's wife Iris had recently passed away, and then gave a brief overview of his remarkable career as a researcher and inventor.

Annual dues for 2008-2009 (FY09) - Vote on the 9-Point Motion Dr. Porter called the delegates attention to the 9-Point Motion on page thirty-seven of the program, and noted that it had been read into the record. He asked for comments from the audience.

Kenjiro Mochizuki from Chapter 9, the University of Pennsylvania, brought up Item #4 - Initiation fee - of the 9-Point motion and proposed increasing it from $15.00 to $20.00. Dr. Porter consulted with Parliamentarian Nola Pursiful concerning the limitations to amending this dollar amount. Ms. Pursiful explained that the Assembly cannot amend above what is in the notice, nor below what is the current amount. Dr. Porter said that he would bring the increase up at the next Board meeting.

Dr. Porter then took a voice vote, and the 9-Point Motion passed unanimously.

Election Results
The President then announced the election results:

President-elect, July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010
Howard Ceri, University of Calgary Chapter

Board of Directors, July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011

Mid-Atlantic Geographic Region
Andrew J. Velkey, II, Tidewater Virginia Chapter

Northeast Geographic Region
J. Zachary Jacobson, Ottawa Chapter

Research and Doctoral Constituency Group
Penelope J. Padgett, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapter

Associate Directors, July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011

Area Groups, Industries, State & Federal Laboratories Constituency Group
Christina Gouin-Paul, District of Columbia Chapter

Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency Group
Jonathan B. Clark, Weber State University Chapter

Northwest Geographic Region
Catherine K. Skokan, Colorado School of Mines Chapter

Southeast Geographic Region
Clark A. Gantzer, University of Missouri at Columbia Chapter

Committee on Nominations, November 4, 2007 to November 2010

Area Groups, Industries, State & Federal Laboratories Constituency Group
Lia M. Haynes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chapter
(The election of Dr. Haynes is for a one-year term to fulfill the remainder of Kelly Sullivan's term. Dr. Sullivan had to step off the committee upon becoming a Board member.)

Baccalaureate Colleges and Constituency Group
Nancy F. Smith, Eckerd College Chapter

Canadian/International Constituency Group
Michael Anthony Whitehead, McGill-Montreal Chapter

North Central Geographic Region
Henry A. Buchtel, University of Michigan Chapter

Dr. Porter announced that there were procedural questions regarding the Associate Director election in the Southwest Geographic Region, but asked Dr. Meadows if this was still in process and invited her to the podium.

Dr Meadows explained that the election was fine, but it was not done in accordance with the bylaws, as the biographical information on the nominees was not provided 120 days prior to the election. This information will be emailed to the delegates so that they can review it and vote electronically. She apologized to the candidates caught up in this problem.

Credentials Committee
Dr. Porter requested a report from the Credentials Committee. Nancy Smith took the podium, and acknowledged Tom Dreschel of the South Florida Water District Management Chapter and Brad Bowden of the Alfred University Chapter, the two other committee members. At the November 2007 Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, 170 Chapters were represented by 184 delegates and additional delegates. The Membership-at-Large was represented by three delegates. The Committee notes that delegates representing the Swiss and Hungarian Chapters were in attendance at the November 2007 Annual Meeting. Therefore there were 170 Chapters represented at the November 2007 Annual Meeting and 187 delegates and additional delegates in attendance at the meeting.

New Business
Cliff Chauncey, University of Northern Iowa Chapter, Director for the Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency stood to publicly read a petition produced by twenty delegates and addressed to the Sigma Xi Board of Directors. "We hereby request that the Board consider this formal request that the staff of Sigma Xi evaluate, develop and implement (this is at the discretion of the Board, of course) a fully functional online social environment, and report the results to the general membership on or before the 109th general meeting, November 2008. The benefits of strengthening our network of scientists through this online environment would be immediately available to the current membership as a valued resource in identifying fellow members of the Society by research area, region and constituency. Long term benefits would include recruitment and retention of members, especially those in the youngest demographics. The ad hoc social networking committee sees clear opportunities for additional revenue streams to Sigma Xi. This project will have a positive impact on all levels of membership retention through increased connectivity, interaction and globalization, while supporting the mission and ideals of Sigma Xi. We respectfully submit this to the Board." With the President's permission, Dr. Chauncey then called Sydney Everhart to give a brief presentation.

Sydney Everhart, representing the University of Central Missouri, took the podium and reported that she had epiphany during Dr. Porter's introductory speech when he said "We need to increase the value of Sigma Xi to every person." She attended the last national meeting and met people from distinguished fields that she wished she could have kept in touch with. Ms. Everhart felt that one of the things lacking from Sigma Xi is that she didn't have connections from that meeting, and felt that Sigma Xi could provide connections and collaborators, people she could do research with. She had an idea about Facebook, an online social network, and wondered why doesn't Sigma Xi have a group like that? However, she doesn't feel that something like Facebook is appropriate for people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, and suggested that Sigma Xi should have an online network "Profiles of Scientists," where you would have a picture of yourself, if you want to & could develop a profile: where you're located, your contact information, list colleagues, recent publications, and down at the bottom have newsflashes "latest news from Sigma Xi." A participant would also have online access to the magazine. Most importantly what this would do is that everyone would know who someone's colleagues are, who they know, etc. In this way you would have a complete network. For example, if you want to work at North Carolina State University for your post-doc but don't know anyone there, if you have a Sigma Xi profile, you can find someone, who knows someone, who knows someone through Sigma Xi. You can't do that through a basic online directory. You control what's shown in you profile. She also thought that non-Sigma Xi members could join this too. People from other countries, especially, would benefit from making a non-member profile. They would be subject to advertisements, etc. However, if they found someone from Sigma Xi would sponsor them, they could become a member.

Question: Would this be open to anyone, could someone off the street get to these pages?
Answer: You would have to sign up for a non-member profile in order to see limited access. Security is one of the big questions here. People would do self-policing.

Question: Thinks the networking portion is a little incomplete, would be very arduous to go through this spider web to find people, we need something that is organized structurally, i.e. if you're looking for collaborators in biology there is a list you could go to immediately.
Answer: You got it. This would be in the "Research Interests" area.

Dr. Porter commented that this is a fantastic idea, and thanked Ms. Everhart for her presentation. He requested any other new business items.

A delegate from the floor spoke about a Sigma Xi collaboration with Hunter College on a similar Web site geared toward minorities, however the structure is already there. There is a very elaborate database, an online magazine, it's beautifully done and the expertise is already there. She suggested that Sigma Xi might want to contact Professor Robert Dottin, who has been an active member of Sigma Xi, because it's always a good thing to take advantage of things that have been done. It was supported by NIH [National Institutes of Health], unfortunately she did not think that Sigma Xi took full advantage of that. It was a multi-million dollar grant that was given to NIH and the delegate was certain that they would be more than willing to work with Sigma Xi.

Dr. Porter thanked the delegate for her comment, and asked if there was any other new business.

Dr. Porter then closed the meeting by relating a conversation he had with a young student at the Science Café. She decided, based upon this meeting that she was going to go on in graduate school in science to get both her M.D. and her Ph.D., with a specialty in biochemistry. He said that he could tell that those in the room, and the fellow students she had talked to, were the source of her inspiration. She said "I've decided to go on because I know now, after this meeting; the glass ceiling has broken because I can see the sky."

Dr. Porter then thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.