Amstat News is spotlighting ASA committees and their activities. This month, we feature the Committee on Membership Retention and Recruitment (CMRR) and ask Chair Theresa Utlaut and member Erin Wiley a few questions about the committee’s purpose and goals.

What is the purpose of your committee, in your own words?

Erin and Terri: The purpose of the Committee on Membership Retention and Recruitment (CMRR) is to help foster a vibrant community, where everyone feels welcome and included. Collaborating with chapters, sections, other committees, and individuals, we work to understand the needs of our members and, as a community, how we can better serve those needs. Regardless of employment sector, career stage, or length of membership, we want all members to value being part of the ASA community.

Why did you accept the position to chair and co-chair the committee?

Teri: When I was asked to be chair of the CMRR, I was not familiar with the work the committee was doing or the expectations for the committee. After reviewing the charge of the committee, I realized how important work like this is and how much of an impact this committee can have on the membership.

In all the volunteer positions I’ve held in the ASA, I have always wanted to get the most for the members, and sometimes it is difficult to understand what members want and need. This committee is working to understand the member needs and to follow-up with programs to help address those needs.

Erin: Having been on the committee for a while already, I remained intrigued by the charge to truly do our best to learn about, collaborate with, and meet the needs of all of our members. The diversity of our membership cannot be understated, nor can the importance of the work needed to ensure an environment and culture designed to effectively serve each and every member.

I enjoyed working with this committee as a member and appreciated the opportunity to contribute my own voice and ideas to the collective pursuit of our goals in a leadership role. I also looked forward to collaborating with other committees and groups and getting to interact with more new people as a result. The final bonus was the knowledge that I’d be continuing to work with an enjoyable group of individuals … what’s not to like?!

How often does the committee meet to plan activities?

Erin and Terri: The entire committee meets monthly. With the work we are doing this year, we have defined a few subteams. They meet as needed between our monthly committee meetings.

What are some recent or upcoming committee events you would like to highlight?

Erin and Teri: The CMRR is doing a membership needs assessment (MNA) this year that will likely carryover into 2022. We worked closely with Rob Santos to understand the best approach for the MNA and decided to conduct focus groups to help understand our member needs. We will have focus groups that span different sectors, career stages, membership longevity, and past members. The information gained from these focus groups will allow us to see what we are doing well and where there are gaps. For the gaps, we hope to identify programs to increase the value of the membership in the ASA. We have had one focus group so far and it went well. I hope that if people are asked to participate in a focus group, they will take the time to do it.

What are some upcoming events you are most excited about?

Teri: I am excited to get more focus groups completed and start seeing the results. It’s a great opportunity for members to provide feedback and share their ideas on what we are doing well and where we can improve. If people are interested in participating, please contact either of us or Donna LaLonde.

I am also excited about the two sessions at JSM 2022 we will co-sponsor. One is on statistics and data science and how we all need to work together. The other is about embracing the future generation and welcoming and encouraging undergraduates into the profession. I think both will be great panel sessions in 2022.

Erin: I am excited about the recent launch of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Outreach Group and am anticipating many opportunities to collaborate in the future to ensure we are building an organization that values all its members. Check them out!

Any additional information or news you’d like to share about the committee with ASA members?

Erin: If you have an interest or suggestion you would like to bring to our attention, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our committee’s entire purpose is dedicated to you, as a member of the ASA. It is our mission and hope to make a positive difference in your membership journey, and we hope you will help us achieve that goal.