Date: 3/29/99

Time: 9:45

Type: Symposium

Number: 6

Can the North Central Branch Survive? The need for greater involvement

*L.L. Larson, Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Contact e-mail: LLLarson@dowagro.com

The North Central Branch Executive Committee established a "Council of Elders" to review the Strategic Plan for the Branch and propose actions that the Branch could take to enhance its value and thus ensure its survival for future generations of entomologists. Central to that future will be a growth in membership and customer value. As we head into the next century, we will need to grow our membership and develop closer relationships with customers wtihin the branch that use our entomological knowledge. In the next century, much of the membership growth in our society and branch will come from practioners of entomology. We need to understand the needs of these growing segments of entomologists and attract them into membership by building value for them within the North Central Branch. This symposium will focus on several key groups of practitioners including PCO's, mosquito control professionals, company development representatives, private consultants, teachers, basic scientists, and students. Each presenter will give their impression of how we can build value for each of these groups and so attract more of them into Branch activities and membership. The audience will also be given time to share their ideas. Together, we can build a more valuable organization, one that lives up to its mission of promoting the science and practice of entomology, and provides an outlet for the exchange of entomological information and networking. Come to the symposium and participate in formulating the future of our Branch.

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