Speak Out to Defend Your Attendance at Scientific Conferences

Speak Out to Defend Your Attendance at Scientific Conferences     Dear ANS Members,   Our members who are employees of or contractors for federal agencies face burdensome regulations and approval processes that severely restrict their ability to attend scientific and technical conferences, such as those presented by ANS.   We know and appreciate the value of these conferences to our ability to achieve progress in our fields. However, those who create the travel policies don't always understand the critical importance that attendance at these conferences has on our ability to forward our nation's position as a world leader in science and technology.   I am writing to encourage you to participate in an important effort being spearheaded by our partner organization, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which is urging policymakers to recognize that attendance at these conferences is essential to our ability to stay on the cutting edge of new knowledge and technologies.   Those of you who do not work for federal agencies can help in this effort as well. Your personal stories about how your interactions with agency representatives at these conferences are essential to your work will provide valuable insights.   I hope that you will take just a few moments to go to the AAAS.org/yourstory web page to provide a brief narrative about the value you receive from attending professional scientific and technical conferences, and describe how participation is crucial to your success on behalf of your employers, and to our nation's leadership position.   Our collective voices will have an impact. I appreciate your consideration of this request.   Sincerely,     Eugene S. Grecheck President