ISPMB Membership

At the 2004 Board of Directors Meeting, it was decided that the International Society for Plant Molecular Biology would disband at the Adelaide 2006 Congress. Active memberships in 2004 will be extended to cover 2005-2006 with no dues collected. These members would be eligible to register at ISPMB 2006 at the discounted rate. No new memberships will be accepted.

A Letter from President Joseph Ecker

Dear Members:

The following message is to provide the members of the ISPMB with a more detailed explanation for the Board's decision to disband in 2006 and to bring you up to date on future plans beyond 2006.

The erosion of membership has become acute. Society membership in 1991was 2185. In 1997 it was 2159. Membership in 2004 was 890. This slow erosion meant our income could not match our expenses. In fact, we have been living off Congress profits for several years. (Example: ~1000 members @ $50/year = $50,000; Society expenses = $70,000/year a deficit of $20,000/year). Although the Society will be closing down in 2006, the Congress will continue as the legacy of the Society and plans will be made at the 2005 Board Meeting to establish a small volunteer committee who will select the site of subsequent congresses from proposals received. Any residual Society funds will be used to underwrite the initial expenses of a 2009 congress. As President, I will propose a procedure for committee operation (possibly with input from ASPB, Arabidopsis Steering Group, SEB, etc.) based on other international congresses (International Botanical, Barley Genetics, others). The final decision on this proposal will be made at the 2005 Board Meeting but the plan is to continue the congresses for as long as possible.

Please plan to attend the Adelaide Congress and show support for future congresses.

With regards
Joseph Ecker
President, ISPMB

Further information in regards to ISPMB membership can be obtained from the ISPMB National Office Administrator: Dianne Anderson: dander@uga.edu

Further information in regards to the ISPMB Congress can be obtained from Sally Jay: ispmb@sallyjayconferences.com.au

top of page

This page last modified on December 01, 2005