Fall, the Time for Discovery and Renewal, Take 2

Last month we encouraged you to check out the new look to the Society's website as well as explore the offerings associated with the large blue button entitled ASM Community. I am pleased to say that a number of ASM Branches have already begun to use the new tools in social networking that ASM is making available to its members and Branches through the ASM Community website, http://community.asm.org. Several Branches have already established their presence and begun to make use of the Events tab within the toolbar. By clicking on this tab anyone can learn of upcoming national, regional, and Branch events and programming opportunities, and plan their schedule accordingly. The programming offerings for the fall are outstanding and promise to be highly valuable to participants. I look forward to learning more about the success of these Branch programs and will report to you on these events over the next few columns. Like all things new, the ASM Community will involve a slight learning curve.

However, as Branch engagement increases I believe that you will appreciate the power inherent in community dialog. The BOC, through interested members of its Branches and especially student members, has issued an open call for podcasts and/or blog entries on the ASM Community site from our early adopters to help other Branches learn how to employ and explore this new and exciting technology for improved programming and communication functions to their members.

Fall is generally an active time for Branch meetings. These meetings often coincide with the annual membership drive for the Branch which takes place at the time of registration for the meeting. If you would like to join a Branch, you can elect to join or renew Branch membership onsite at a Branch Meeting or simply avail yourself of the ASM eStore and join or renew online when you renew your ASM membership. The majority of Branches are using the ASM eStore's online Branch dues collection to process new and renewing Branch memberships.

The process is simple and straightforward. On the ASM eStore website, as you renew your ASM membership you can select a Branch and add its dues to your shopping cart. Your Branch will be alerted to your joining/renewal and your dues will be forwarded to the Branch from ASM. When I was the Secretary-Treasurer of my Branch, I was a strong proponent of online Branch dues collection since it facilitates easy record keeping for the Branch, less paperwork for the volunteers at the registration desk and, most importantly, more time for Branch members to network with their friends and colleagues at Branch meetings.

If you are not a member of a Branch and still on the fence as to whether or not you should join, let the events tab and other resources within the ASM Community and ASM websites help you find your Branch home. Whether you are looking for opportunities for frequent networking among your peers or desire interesting and inclusive scientific programming on a smaller scale, I am certain that you will appreciate that ASM's 35 Branches offer one of the best membership values of any scientific or professional organization. Taken together, membership in ASM and one of its 35 Branches represent an extraordinary value where networking, programming, scientific opportunities, and outreach can be easily found and maximized. From all of us involved in Branches, we hope to see you at a Branch event very soon. To learn of your next Branch participation opportunity, go to the ASM website at http://www.asm.org, toggle the dropdown menu, Membership/Branches/Branch Meetings where you will discover how Branches are providing great value to members.

Michael G. Schmidt
Chair, Branch Organization Committee