Members are predominately, if not exclusively, Ph.D. level scientists at Land Grant institutions. The main reason people join the society is for a vehicle to publish research findings and to attend meetings. Leadership capability is equivalent to age and experience in the society and discipline. Networking is an important function of the society. Loyalty to the society and discipline is a given.
Employers require or encourage membership.
Students join, and stay members for a lifetime. Bigger is better. A sense of community among members can be assumed. CSSA should be a membership-driven society. The society should encourage the advancement of crop science as a discipline.