The AIBS after Ten Years

Abstract

HE AIBS now represents an estimated total of 80,000 biologists. It is no smaller than second in size among the independent scientific societies and in all likelihood is the largest. Its annual gross income from all sources is fast approaching thirty times that projected for 1955, its first year of operation without the financial backing of the National Academy of Sciences. The staff has tripled in size and there are AIBS employees in two offices in Washington, D. C., and offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Boulder, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri. The AIBS is in the forefront among its sister societies in educational programs, in the development of improved communications among scientists, in experimental publications projects, and in the development of foreign language translation programs. The Institute's prestige is growing steadily and there is hardly a significant group concerned with scientific matters which does not invite AIBS representation. A great many people are responsible for the growth of the AIBS. Credit in large measure is due the officers, the Executive Committee, the Governing Board, our friends in government agencies and private foundations, and the thousands of biologists who support the Institute day by day. A significant share of the credit must go to the staff members, who have given devoted and diligent service to the Institute far beyond what normally could be expected of them.