It is my honor as executive director and CEO to share what our Society has achieved in support of the research community over the last year and to lay out a road map of what we plan to accomplish in the years to come. Today, I’m pleased to announce the release of two key documents for the Society: the Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report and the 2020–2025 Strategic Plan.
Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2019 was an exceptional year because of the work we accomplished together. The Annual Report shares stories and data about how we fulfill Sigma Xi’s mission to build a strong research community, ensure integrity in science and engineering, and help the public understand the process and results of our work.
The following are key takeaways that I am most pleased to report.
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560 members volunteered to serve as chapter leaders to achieve our mission at the local level
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50,000 people came together for research-related chapter events
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3,200 accomplished scientists and engineers were inducted as new members
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600 STEM students received direct support through competitions and grants
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99,500 unique readers connected with us through American Scientist magazine
I encourage you to read the report to see the work of our chapters, the accomplishments of our members, the reach of our magazine, and the outcomes of our programs and events.
Strategic Plan
Sigma Xi is charting a new course to the future. The 2020–2025 Strategic Plan is an ambitious framework that focuses our resources and effort on four main priorities.
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Advance STEM education
Sigma Xi will promote research, encourage scholarship, and participate in the betterment of education practices and training at all levels.
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Promote scientific leadership and influence
Sigma Xi will develop and work with leaders from the research community to promote the ethical conduct and use of research, build trust in the scientific process, deliver solutions to pressing issues, and advocate for science.
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Cultivate a diverse, robust, and inclusive community
Sigma Xi will give voice, visibility, and opportunity to diverse scientists and engineers whose contributions strengthen the research enterprise and our Society.
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Demonstrate administrative excellence and fiscal responsiveness
Sigma Xi will execute a principled business model and reliable member services that enable the Society to serve current and future generations of scientists and engineers.
The plan describes these goals and the steps that Sigma Xi leaders and staff will take to fulfill our mission and uphold our core principles of excellence, integrity, diversity, scholarship, leadership, and cooperation.
I'd like to express my deepest gratitude for the contributions and guidance from the Board of Directors (past and present), chapter leaders, member surveys, and input from staff and other stakeholders, as they were integral to the development of this plan.
We’re counting on members like you to help us carry out this important work. Please contact executiveoffice@sigmaxi.org to learn how to get involved in your local chapter, a program, or committee.
If you have ideas about how the Society can achieve the goals described in the strategic plan, or if you would like to share a story about Sigma Xi from the past year that complements the Annual Report, please comment below.
Sincerely,
Jamie L. Vernon, PhD
Executive Director and CEO, Sigma Xi
Publisher, American Scientist