MicroNews
November/December 1995 Newsletter
of the Microbeam Analysis Society
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members:
As we begin the new year, it is useful to reflect on the two major changes taking place in the activities of our society.
First, as you know from the previous issue of MicroNews, the Journal of Microbeam Analysis has now been incorporated into the Journal of the Microscopy Society of America. The various factors behind this decision have all been discussed before and I want now to look ahead to the next stages of this relationship. A key element in making this new arrangement the great success that it can be will be the position of the MAS Associate Editor of JMSA. I am very pleased that Charles Lyman of Lehigh University has agreed to accept this appointment. Charlie is just finishing his term as Director of MAS, has a long history of contribution to both our societies and in particular has been an important participant in the discussions and decisions regarding publication opportunities for our members. Under the overall leadership of Editor-in-Chief, Jean-Paul Revel, and Co-Editor, Ray Carpenter, and with the important role that Charlie Lyman will play as MAS Associate Editor, The Journal of the Microscopy Society of America, now incorporating Microbeam Analysis, should become one of the premier journals in the field. I urge you to give this journal your full support and particularly to consider it the first choice for publication of your most important publications relating to microscopy and microanalysis.
Second, but equally important to the future of our Society, 1996 will be the first year of our long-term joint sponsorship with MSA as well as other societies, of the Microscopy and Microanalysis national meeting. This year Microscopy and Microanalysis 96 will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 11 to 15, 1996. As in the case of journal publication, the success of this new approach to our participation in the national joint meeting will be critically dependent on the role of a few individuals, in this case the MAS program representatives. Again, we are very fortunate in that Joe Michael (as MAS program chair) and Jon McCarthy (as MAS program co-chair) are providing the strong leadership that will insure that, in the new coordinated single program format, topics of particular interest to MAS will be
well represented. I hope that you are already incorporating the Microscopy and Microanalysis 96 meeting into your summer plans. Scientifically and technically, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed, and as a native "Minnesotan", I can also assure you that it is a great place to visit, particularly with a family.
In the context of the above two major changes, the MAS council is continuing to explore the most effective ways for the Society to be of service to its members. In particular, the future role and varied nature of MAS topical conferences will be an important item of discussion. The first such topical conference, under the leadership of John Mansfield will be held at the Microscopy & Microanalysis 96 meeting and will focus on the role of the World Wide Web in the Microanalytical Sciences. Watch for details in the program announcement.
Finally, if you have concerns or observations about the above changes and particularly if you have suggestions regarding the future role of the Society, I strongly urge you to communicate them to me or any of the MAS Council members. This is an important time in the history of the Society. We need your input.
Dale E. Johnson
President
MAS MEMBERSHIP
VCH publishers no longer handles membership applications and renewals for MAS. Please do not use the old membership forms from 1995 and earlier. Bill Thompson is now handling membership and all applications and renewals should be sent to "Microbeam Analysis, PO Box 502, Fairport NY 14450". Membership services are still available at 1-800-4MASMEM or scott.wight@nist.gov to answer questions and solve problems.