The Bylaws, Article IV, Section 11, state that the Chair shall be appointed for a three year term and shall serve as Eastern Branch member on the Membership Committee of the parent Society. This appointment is made by Presidents assuming office at Annual Meeting in 1993, 1996, 1999. The Committee shall consist of at least 14 members representing each of the Branch States and Canada and a wide range of entomological interests, and including at least one student member.

The Committee is responsible for all phases of membership development and retention, and will utilize the "Guide for ESA Membership Committees" developed by the Membership Committee of the parent Society. The Committee will work closely with the National Committee, and with the National Headquarters, to solicit ideas, information, brochures, membership lists, application forms, etc., to increase membership of the Branch. Active recruitment of new members requires dissemination of applications and information about the Society, working with institutions such as other entomological societies, National Pest Control Association, universities, colleges, and experiment stations government organizations, and industries where entomologists are employed.

A schedule of activities would include the following:

October

* (Chr. Comm.) By letter and/or personal visit, request from department heads/chairs list of entomology students (undergraduates, especially juniors and seniors, and graduates) and new faculty. These lists will be cross checked against membership list. Non-members will be sent letters to join ESA.

October-November

* A letter will be sent from the National Office to members delinquent to date for the year (since January 1) over the President's signature. The letter will invite the members to complete and return a short questionnaire concerning the reason for not renewing membership if they decide not to continue membership.

* All Branch Committee chairs send list of members of committees to Branch Membership Chair to determine if all committee members are current ESA members.

January-February

* Obtain list of graduates who have completed requirements for degrees; send letter of congratulations from Branch President to encourage maintaining membership.

* Annual retention effort begins when list of unpaid members as of January of current year is sent to Chair by Director of Membership Services. List is separated by state and sent to respective Committee members to contact unpaid members by letter and/or phone.

April-May

* (Chr.-Comm) Solicit membership and employment list of state organizations. federal/state government agencies, state entomology societies, industry, other professional organization, affiliated societies, and universities.

May

* (Chr.-Comm) Obtain list of undergraduates and graduates completing degrees; send letter of congratulations and encourage maintaining membership.

One month before Annual Meeting (February)

* (Chr.) Obtain Branch membership list from Director of Membership Services indicating members' status, for checking at Eastern Branch Meeting registration desk.

* (Chr.) After EB meeting, obtain list of nonmember registrants from Registration Chair; send invitation to join.

Annual Meeting

* (Chrs.) Prepare report of Committee activities and results to Branch.

* (Comm.) Meet at EB Meeting.

General:

* (Chr.) Committee members will be provided quarterly updates on recruitment and unpaid members. Lists will be provided by computer and sorted by ZIP code, and will include gummed address labels.

* (Chr.) Committee members are responsible for quarterly follow-up on unpaid members.

* (Chr.) Obtains stationary from EB President as necessary (especially when the President has special stationary prepared.)