If you have a chance, visit the IMS office. You will find friendly, efficient Hazel Lowery as you walk in, industrious Patti Shankland at her computer in the next office, and Elyse everywhere. These three, Hazel, Patti and Elyse have been wonderful help in my busy job. All five employees work in a dedicated interactive way that makes the IMS hum. One of our main problems in coming years is to keep our members involved and coming back for more.
Membership has a steady, small, but alarming decrease.
I think that the problem isn't systemic and that a bit of effort can turn things around. As an example, one of our best new projects is the New Researcher's Conference. We did a lively mailing to the new PhD's and graduate students and it came close to reversing the trend. This makes them broadly available to all participating institutions. We are grateful that Dipak Dey has taken on the demanding job of running the IMS Bulletin.