I am
happy to report that the Section is in better financial shape than
at this time last year, due to the increase in Section dues. The
Michigan Section's current bank balance is $3,414 compared to $3,193
last year at this time. While these amounts are comparable, the annual
meeting expenses were higher this year; we were able to cover these
without running the balance down too low.
The annual meeting at Western Michigan University last May was very successful and well organized, with 168 attendees. The MAA book sale was one of the most profitable in recent history, adding $129 to our bottom line.
The annual request for Section dues, which includes a list of Section activities, has been sent to each member of the MAA in Michigan. The information you supply on the dues form will help in updating our data base. We also included a Call for Papers for our 75th anniversary annual meeting, to be held May 7-8, 1999 at EMU. We hope this early announcement will encourage people to think about presentations and will encourage participation
One of the major costs to the Section, which benefits the entire mathematical community, is the printing and mailing of this Newsletter. It is mailed not just to MAA members, but to all faculty members in mathematical sciences departments in Michigan colleges and universities. Another major cost is the Section meeting, mentioned above. Your dues directly support these activities. While I can't acknowledge each of you individually, please know that I am always thankful when I open your envelope.
The time to send in your dues is when you are thinking about it ‹ now, for example! Let's continue to reverse the decline in MAA membership; encourage your colleagues, especially new department members, to sign up. There is a convenient dues form in this Newsletter, on page 35. Any time you have a question, please e-mail me at favro@ltu.edu.
Ruth Favro, Secretary/Treasurer