Clockwise from left: Nai-Wei Chen, Felix Owusu, Benjamin Bortey, Ellen Barnes, Karry Roberts, Mary Coffey, Rob Kushler, Rob Podolsky, David Corliss, and Lance Heilbrun

The Detroit Chapter kicked off its initial “Numbers and Networking” social event for chapter membership October 4. Rob Podolsky, chapter president, organized the get-together based on the ASA chapter mentoring workshop he attended. Podolsky said the training advised to start small with community outreach and let the events develop over time, with the primary goal being to increase membership participation.

Numbers and Networking took place at a brew pub in the Detroit suburbs, providing a change of pace from the usual chapter meetings in a conference room with a presenter. Members were invited to meet their fellow Detroit-area statisticians, data scientists, analysts, and programmers.

The chapter provided appetizers, and members purchased their own beverages. The evening was fun, with members who aren’t regularly at the chapter meetings turning out. Plans include more events in varying locations, depending on membership response.