2013 Assembly of Delegates

Nominees for Treasurer

Ronald W. Millard 

Chapter Affiliation: University of Cincinnati

Candidate's CV

Current Positions: Treasurer, Chair-Committee on Finances, Chair-Executive performance and Compensation Review, Member-Executive Committee, Member-Board of Directors

Candidate's Statement: I am honored and privileged to stand for re-election for a full 4-year term as Treasurer of Sigma Xi-The Scientific Research Society. As the Society's full-time Treasurer since January 2011 I have benefited from the engaged and expertise of an active Committee on Finances, an excellent working relationship with the Society's management and Executive Director, and the members of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. Those of us responsible for stewardship of the Society's assets strive to assure continuity of its valued member programs and benefits, including the American Scientist, the Grants-in-Aid of Research program, the annual virtual and in-person meetings, promotion of the next generation of scientists and engineers, new chapter creation and existing chapter revitalization, and membership recruitment and retention.

In addition these core activities, the financial underpinnings of the Society rely on development efforts to partner with like-minded organizations to expand the Society's value to members and non-member communities alike by offering expertise on current and future issues of national and global importance. During my tenure we have instituted quarterly reviews of investment portfolio performance with the portfolio manager and other experts, annual review and revision if appropriate of the Society's investment policy.

I wish to acknowledge three major financial accomplishments of the Society and its management and staff during the past 2 years that expand financial resources for the Society's programs and mission: (1) a major unrestricted bequest of $100,000 received in FY13, (2) a major corporate sponsor gift of $100,000 to launch the new SiSTEM online journal for K-12 STEM education, and (3) a major federal grant of $300,000 from the National Science Foundation to examine and compare authorship practices in the US, China and Brazil.

Notwithstanding these highpoints, we continue to address financial challenges that will (1) increase in the number of unrestricted and restricted gift donors to expand existing programs like the GIAR and open new horizons in science communication and science policy, (2) attract new corporate sponsors and donors, (3) increase efficiency in management and reduce operational costs, and (4) restructure the debt on the Sigma Xi Center, the Society's headquarters building in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

I look forward to receiving your support as your re-elected Treasurer, working with those who serve on the Committee on Finances and who are elected to serve as officers and as members of the Board of Directors, as well as with the Society's management and Executive Director and Director of Finance in the coming years. Advice and input from the members and chapters is always welcome as we work together in expanding our assets in order to shape the future of Sigma Xi, its mission, programs and global impact.

Ron

Ronald W. Millard, Ph.D.
Treasurer, Sigma Xi Society
Professor (Emeritus), University of Cincinnati