Questionnaire: Survey for the "State of the Branch"

A total of 334 useable questionnaires (17.5% of members) were returned.

1. Define your membership status in the Entomological Society of America (ESA).
a. Regular--253 (76%)
b. Honorary--5 (1.5%)
c. Emeritus--27 (8.1%)
d. Student--49 (14.7%)
e. Youth

2. In which section of the ESA are you a member?
a. Section A--21 (6.2%)
b. Section B--22 (6.5%)
c. Section C--84 (24.9%)
d. Section D--37 (11%)
e. Section E--38 (11.2%)
f. Section F--104 (30.9%)
g. No answer, or don't know--30 (8.9%)

3. How many years have you been a member of the ESA?
a. Less than 5 years--44 (13.2%)
b. 5 to 10 years--52 (15.6%)
c. 11 to 15 years--46 (13.8%)
d. 16 to 20 years--53 (15.9%)
e. More than 20 years--137 (41%)
f. No answer--2

4. How many years have you resided in the North Central Branch of the ESA?
a. Less than 5 years--59 (17.7%)
b. 5 to 10 years--68 (20.4%)
c. 11 to 15 years--47 (14.1%)
d. 16 to 20 years--40 (12%)
e. More than 20 years--119 (35.6%)
f. No answer--1

5. How many North Central Branch meetings have you attended during the time you have resided in the Branch?
a. None--82 (24.6%)
b. Approximately 25% of the meetings held--108 (32.3%)
c. Approximately 50% of the meetings held--41 (12.3%)
d. Approximately 75% of the meetings held--41 (12.3%)
e. Virtually every year--61 (18.3%)
f. No answer--1

6. Has your frequency of attendance at North Central Branch meetings increased, decreased, or stayed the same during the time you have resided in the Branch?
a. Increased--22 (6.6%)
b. Decreased--116 (34.7%)
c. Stayed the same--123 (36.8%)
d. Attended no meetings--70 (21%)
e. No answer--3

7. If you answered 'b. Decreased' in the preceding question, which of the following reasons explain your decrease in frequency of attendance at North Central Branch meetings? (Please circle all that apply.)
a. I prefer to attend only the national ESA meeting.--19 (16.4%)
b. I would like to attend both the national ESA and North Central Branch meetings, but my funds for traveling to scientific meetings are limited.--46 (40%)
c. I attend the national ESA meeting and the North Central Branch meeting in alternate years.--1
d. I have started attending other scientific and professional society meetings that are more specific for my needs.--49 (42.2%)
e. My teaching demands prevent me from attending more North Central Branch meetings.--15 (12.9%)
f. I don't believe the Branch meetings address my needs (e.g., the tone of the meeting is too applied).--43 (37.1%)
g. Other (please specify)--43 (37.1%)

8. If you answered 'c. Stayed the same' in question 6 and you have attended 25% or fewer of the North Central Branch meetings during the time you have resided in the Branch, which of the following reasons explain your infrequency of attendance? (Please circle all that apply.)
a. I prefer to attend only the national ESA meeting.--24
b. I would like to attend both the national ESA and North Central Branch meetings, but my funds for traveling to scientific meetings are limited.--46
c. I attend the national ESA meeting and the North Central Branch meeting in alternate years.--2
d. I have started attending other scientific and professional society meetings that are more specific for my needs.--42
e. My teaching demands prevent me from attending more North Central Branch meetings.--15
f. I don't believe the Branch meetings address my needs (e.g., the tone of the meeting is too applied).--30
g. Other (please specify)--23

9. Do you believe that Branch meetings should be continued annually, held every other year, or eliminated ?
a. Continued annually--196 (58.7%)
b. Held every other year--81 (24.3%)
c. Eliminated--21 (6.3%)
d. No answer, or no opinion--36 (10.8%)

10. According to the Constitution of the Entomological Society of America, "Branches shall be established on the basis of geographical contiguity for the purpose of holding meetings, providing an opportunity for presentation of papers, and stimulating interest in entomology." Based upon this statement, the North Central Branch is serving its members exactly as charged by our Constitution. How do you assess the service of the Branch to its membership?
a. All I expect from the Branch is an opportunity to attend and participate in an annual meeting.--216 (65.1%)
b. The Branch should offer additional membership services, such as:--46 (13.9%)
c. No answer, or no opinion--70 (21.1%)

11. The printed Abstracts of presentations and posters at the North Central Branch meeting are:
a. Useful, and they should be continued.--230 (70%)
b. Not useful, and they should be discontinued.--52 (15.8%)
c. No answer, or no opinion--47 (14.3%)

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