SOS 2010
The State of the Society: 2010
by Bruce A. Metcalf, FAS, Consul
The state of the Society remains precarious. Fortunately, our financial situation is stable and improving, despite Budget concerns, but that is not the direction from which I believe trouble will come. That said, there are some bright spots:
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 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 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.
Our Board is working effectively, and the changes to By-Laws, Policies, and Procedures ― including those of the Sub-Groups ― have made the workings of our Society more efficient, more just, and better suited to the world of the 21st century.
But now to the challenges, or perhaps better said, challenge. Our membership continues to shrink, and this absolutely must be reversed. The losses have not done us direct harm yet, as it is exactly those members who have contributed the least who have left us. However, as we all age, even the most active member will falter and pass, just as did our beloved Founder. These willing hands we have must be supplemented and eventually replaced if we are to survive.
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 Director with expertise in this field. Thus the most important vacancy in our Society is that of marketing director or 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.
Weighing these positives and negatives, we remain optimistic about the long-term future of the Society. We are handling some issues well, understand others well enough, and need only to apply talents not present to the rest. Our principles remain firm, well understood, and supported by all.
I look forward to seeing how all develops.
