Notes: Ghosts V: Together (Nine Inch Nails)
Views: St. Louis, Gateway Arch
I am writing this report a few days following my return from our annual meeting in St. Louis, and the majestic view of the Gateway Arch remains vividly etched in my memory. The Arch, soaring to a towering height of 630 feet, stands as a tribute to human ingenuity and serves as a source of inspiration for engineers and architects across the globe. Arches, however, are not only a significant architectural and engineering achievement, but they also carry a symbolic meaning in various cultures.
In ancient Rome, arches were seen as a symbol of victory and triumph and if you attended the 2024 World Congress on In Vitro Biology you will agree with me that we have plenty to celebrate. The meeting was a resounding success with excellent science, record attendance, high level of engagement from students and ample opportunity for social interaction. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Program Planning Committee, the Local Organizing Committee, the Conveners, Innovative Essentials, and the volunteers. Their tireless dedication and commitment were essential to the success of our event. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the sponsors of our meeting for their generous contributions that support our scientific program and underwrite the free student registration program for the Society. In my next report I will share with you more details about the 2024 meeting, and I will also give you a glimpse of the 2025 In Vitro Biology Meeting to be held in Norfolk, VA (Yes, we are already working on it!).
Arches often also serve as gateways, marking the transition from one place to another, symbolizing a passage and as I transition into the Presidency of the Society for In Vitro Biology, I am deeply honored to carry forward the legacy of excellence established by my predecessors in this Office. Their commitment and innovative leadership have been the foundation of our Society’s success. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the previous Board of Directors (BOD) and Committee’s officers, whose strategic vision has significantly shaped our path. While it is an honor to hold the title of President within SIVB, it is a role that I assume with the understanding that I am, at my core, a dedicated Member of this organization. Please remember that as a Member of the Society, you can drive progress just as I do, even from a non-officer role.
Just as the keystone in an arch is the crucial element that locks all other stones into position, enabling the structure to bear the weight and maintain its integrity, the Mission and Vision of a professional society are crafted to guide its objectives and ensure its stability and growth. This is why we developed the “Today’s Voices, Envisioning Tomorrow” (Link) survey to seek your input. We are eager to better understand your personal connection to SIVB, your professional needs, and your insights on how we can enhance our Society. The information gained from this survey will assist us in evaluating if the current Society’s value proposition continues to resonate with you and will inform the creation of our next Strategic Plan. Together, we will continue building a robust foundation for sustained growth, and the BOD and I are excited to work on the future of the Society.
As I conclude this virtual conversation with all of you, I’d like to present a challenge. SIVB is facing a decline in membership, a trend that is not unique to our organization but is shared by other professional societies, particularly in these times of economic hardship. Yet, it is within our collective power to reverse this trend: my challenge to you is to either bring at least one new Member* to SIVB or re-engage those who have distanced themselves by the beginning of next year.
Sincerely,
Piero Barone
President, Society for In Vitro Biology
(#togetherwegrow)
* Contact our office by filling out the online form (Member-Get-a-Member Referral Form) and let us know you want to refer a new member. Provide us with their name, contact information, and email address, then sit back. We will send them a personal invitation with a discount for $10 off their membership. As a special thank you, for every new member you refer who joins the Society, you will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $100 gift certificate! If you recruit five new individuals who join SIVB in a 1-year period, you will automatically receive complimentary annual meeting registration. Once someone becomes a member, they can start participating in the referral program too and earn chances to win their own gift certificates. Referral must be a new regular member to be eligible for the one-time discount and for the current SIVB member to be entered into drawing.
