Our publications program is making very slow progress, but it is interesting that the average size of submissions has been growing. Were the total pages of submissions growing as well we would be on the road to restoration of our quarterly frequency. We also continue to suffer from a shortage of editors, with only one who can be relied upon to produce.
The grant received for cataloging our [[Library]] collection is a great boon, but also a great burden, as we must divert manpower and attention to that project sufficient to justify the gift. Sadly, as generous as it is, it seems insufficient to support the rental of space outside the Consuls’ Metcalfs’ home. That said, it is a most worthy project that will return the efforts devoted many times over.
A small number of committees are doing good work at the speed appropriate to the situation. All could stand an infusion of additional active members. Our [[Main Website|Website]], poor though it is in many ways, is still doing more to attract new members, promote sales, and “show the flag” than even I expected.
These additional members are desperately needed to fill the many vacancies, to enlarge working committees beyond single members, and to relieve the many willing workers who hold more than one office. They are needed immediately.
Sadly, your [[Consuls]] have essentially zero skills in designing and managing a recruitment program, and we have lost the services of our one [[Directors|Director]] with expertise in this field. Thus the most important vacancy in our Society is that of [[Marketing ChairmanCommittee|marketing director]] or [[Membership ChairmanCommittee|recruitment chairman]]. Failing that, we must chose between hiring one and slowly fading into history despite the best efforts of all hands.
A second challenge we feel unequal to is hiring help with the Requests For Proposals recently issued. Here we have a case of a fairly clear problem, funds to address it, and a lack of willing vendors. Should this status persist, Consuls are prepared to learn how to do such things, but it will take large amounts of time away from other activities, which we are reluctant to do. While most encouraging, the recently identified firm will not be able to satisfy all of our needs, though perhaps the most urgent will be met.
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*[[State of the Society|back to State of the Society]]