Highlights of the November 2011 ASA Board of Directors Meeting

Nancy Geller, 2011 ASA president, led the board through a rich agenda that reflected the membership’s diversity of areas of statistical practice during its final meeting of 2011 at the ASA office in Alexandria, Virginia. Current board members were joined by incoming members for 2012 as part of the annual transition and orientation process for the board. Here are the highlights:

2011 ASA Board of Directors
Nancy Geller (President)
Bob Rodriguez (President-elect)
Sastry Pantula (Past President)
Christy Chuang-Stein (3rd-Year Vice President)
Rod Little (2nd-Year Vice President)
Mary Mulry (1st-Year Vice President)
Jeri Mulrow (3rd-Year Council of Sections Representative)
Jessica Utts (2nd-Year Council of Sections Representative)
John Bailer (1st-Year Council of Sections Representative)
David Marker (3rd-Year Council of Chapters Representative)
Tom Short (2nd-Year Council of Chapters Representative)
Bonnie LaFleur (1st-Year Council of Chapters Representative)
Ray Chambers (International Representative)
Karen Kafadar (Publications Representative)
Keith Ord (Treasurer)
Ron Wasserstein (Executive Director)

The board endorsed a document, titled “Avoiding Implicit Bias: Guidelines for ASA Awards Committees.” The document will be used by committees to improve the ASA’s awards processes.

Speaking of awards, the board approved a proposal to create the Karl E. Peace Award for Outstanding Statistical Contributions to the Betterment of Society. The award is being endowed by a gift from Karl Peace’s family.

The board also agreed to the formation of an exploratory committee to consider the feasibility of establishing a prestigious international prize for statistics. The committee is to report its findings to the board in March.

As always, the board heard reports from the Council of Sections Governing Board and the Council of Chapters Governing Board. The number of sections has been growing in recent years, reflecting the diverse areas in which statisticians practice their profession. Several chapters have been involved in a pilot project to develop chapter websites on the ASA Community site.

The board had the honor of hosting John Brewster, president of the Statistical Society of Canada, who shared with the board the latest activities of the SSC, including issues of mutual interest and concern to our respective societies.

The board conducted its annual walk-through of the ASA financial statements. This discussion, led by the ASA’s auditors, helps current and incoming board members better understand not only the ASA’s financial situation, but also risk and interpreting a financial statement from a nonprofit entity in general.

Then, the board heard a report on the status of the ASA’s investment portfolio, as well as a report on the financial status of the ASA through the first three quarters of 2011.

The board received the annual reports of the Leadership Support Council and Education Council. These annual reports provide a key mechanism for the board and the many ASA committees to stay in touch with each other. Reporting for the Leadership Support Council, 2012 ASA President Bob Rodriguez noted that the committee reorganization—started in 2010—has been successfully implemented, leading to better organizational communication. Rod Little, chair of the Education Council, summarized a variety of educational undertakings supported by ASA committees and sections.

The board continued its “big tent for statistics” discussion, regarding the development of a better understanding of the diversity of statisticians in the ASA and how to meet their needs, which started at JSM. The board met with members of the Advisory Committee on Continuing Education to ask about the purposes of continuing education (CE) in the life of a statistician and what role the ASA should play in meeting these purposes. Feedback from this discussion will inform the next round of meetings regarding the important role of CE in improving statistical practice.

2012 ASA Board of Directors
Bob Rodriguez (President)
Marie Davidian (President-elect)
Nancy Geller (Past President)
Rod Little (3rd-Year Vice President)
Mary Mulry (2nd-Year Vice President)
David Morganstein (1st-Year Vice President)
Jessica Utts (3rd-Year Council of Sections Representative)
John Bailer (2nd-Year Council of Sections Representative)
Janet Buckingham (1st-Year Council of Sections Representative)
Tom Short (3rd-Year Council of Chapters Representative)
Bonnie LaFleur (2nd-Year Council of Chapters Representative)
Nick Horton (1st-Year Council of Chapters Representative)
Ray Chambers (International Representative)
David Banks (Publications Representative)
Keith Ord (Treasurer)
Ron Wasserstein (Executive Director)

In another facet of the “big tent” discussion, the board considered a variety of matters and issues related to the Joint Statistical Meetings:
— ASA Executive Director Ron Wasserstein provided the board with an overview of the agreement that governs JSM.
— The board reviewed and approved a new site selection and rotation plan for JSM 2019–2026.
— The board approved two possible sites for JSM 2018 and asked staff to negotiate the best pricing. The Executive Committee of the board will then make the final decision on the site.
— Xiao-Li Meng, chair of the Committee on Meetings, presented a summary of issues at JSM resulting from the growth in the number of concurrent sessions. The committee has given much thought to the issue over the years, and solutions are not simple. Meng said the committee is committed to keeping JSM as an inclusive meeting by not reducing the number of presenters (though the means of presentation may need to change) and making sure JSM welcomes the “younger generation” to participate.
— The board approved in principle the addition of two new partners to JSM, subject to approval by the other JSM partners.

Christy Chuang-Stein, chair of the 175th Anniversary Steering Committee, reported on the committee’s progress and led a board discussion of possible initiatives to coincide with the anniversary.

Geller thanked all board members for their service and contributions during the year and gave special thanks to outgoing board members Sastry Pantula, Christy Chuang-Stein, David Marker, Jeri Mulrow, and Karen Kafadar.

The board next meets March 30–31 in Alexandria, Virginia.

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