After four years of exemplary service as the Section’s
Secretary/Treasurer, Margret Höft has stepped down, transferring
the Section’s financial and secretarial duties to me. As I
start my term, learning the job as I go, I am very grateful for all
the organization and work that Margret has done to make the transition
as smooth as possible.
The Section’s current bank balance (as of September 18) is $4,386, compared to $2,815 at this time last year. This is the lowest point of the year, as it is before all the dues come in. Two major costs to the section are the printing and mailing of the Newsletter and the annual Section meeting in the spring. The Newsletter is sent to all faculty in mathematical sciences in Michigan colleges and universities. It is an essential way of keeping Michigan mathematics faculty informed of all the events related to the discipline going on in the area. The annual meeting, which will be held at Alma College next April, is a wonderful way for Michigan mathematicians to meet each other, hear and present talks, and stay connected to the local professional community. I urge everyone to join us next year at Alma College. The Michigan Section also provides some financial support to the Michigan Undergraduate Mathematics Conference, held this year at Central Michigan University in October.
The Section has some support ($1,100) from the national MAA and an occasional grant, but most of the Section’s income is primarily from voluntary dues payments of the members. The annual request for dues was sent to each member of the MAA in Michigan and to all chairs of mathematical sciences departments of colleges and universities in the state. I would like to express my gratitude, on behalf of the Michigan Section, to those of you who have responded. Dues remain at $15 for a regular individual membership, $30 (or more) for a contributing individual membership, and $40 or $70 for an institutional membership, depending on the size of the institution. Now that you are thinking about all the valuable services our local Section does to promote mathematics in Michigan, a dues form can be found online.
I look forward to serving all the Michigan Section members. If I can be of any help, drop me a line at nccolwel@svsu.edu.
Nancy Colwell, Secretary/Treasurer