Ron Wasserstein, ASA Executive Director

The American Statistical Association is launching its 2010 Annual Fund Drive and invites you, once again, to “be significant—play a part in the future of statistics” by being a contributor.

The focus of the 2010 Annual Fund Drive was established by the ASA Board of Directors in consultation with the ASA’s Development Committee, chaired by Scott Evans of the Harvard School of Public Health. Gifts to the fund can be made to the ASA’s unrestricted fund, or specified to support one of the following areas:

• Promoting the field of statistics: Gifts support such activities as continuing education courses, workshops on statistical writing for the media, and advocacy efforts on behalf of the profession in Congress and with the Administration.
• Providing access to the field of statistics: Gifts support a variety of activities, including travel funds for students to attend JSM or other conferences, ASA memberships for statisticians in developing countries, and graduate school scholarships for promising statisticians.
• Recognizing excellence in the field of statistics: Gifts support the recognition of excellence in the profession by increasing the funding available for award prizes and funding special recognition sessions at JSM and elsewhere.

The annual fund is a fundamental part of the ASA’s advancement program. Funds raised allow the association to advance its work in promoting the discipline of statistics in ways that might not be possible otherwise. The 2009 contributions were used to support several important programs.

All gifts are helpful, small gifts or not-so-small. For example, $40 makes it possible for a statistician from a developing country to have the benefits of ASA membership for one year. A few people giving $75 each can help a student attend his or her first JSM. A $150 gift can help us teach a journalist how to more clearly and accurately communicate statistical information, or provide materials for our work with Congress and the Administration.

ASA President Sastry Pantula and the ASA Board of Directors invite you to join them in making a contribution to the annual fund. You can contribute online or fill out the downloadable form (PDF) and mail it to the ASA with your check.

Whether or not you participate in this year’s annual fund drive, we thank you for being a member of the ASA and for all your contributions to the well-being of our association and profession.