This past year we successfully converted to an electronic version of the Parameter, our Chapter newsletter. The Parameter is published from September to June and lists positions wanted (free to Chapter members) , as well as job listings and is an excellent way to find out about Chapter events. Linda Burtch has done a superb job editing the Parameter, and will continue to be the editor of the Parameter. You should contact Linda to place a listing or submit an article about your experiences as a Chicago area statistician in the Parameter.

Many of the Parameter articles also appear on the Chapter's website, http://www.ChicagoASA.org. Our website also contains information on joining the Chapter, membership dues, Chapter officers, how to post announcements, information about the Harry V Roberts Statistical Advocate Award, an archive of past events, and more. Kathy Morrissy will continue to be our Chapter webmaster. If you have suggestions on how we can make this site better serve your needs, contact or if you want to receive notices of Chapter events via email, let me know.

In March 2007, the Chicago Chapter and Northeast Illinois Chapter co-hosted a very successful Chicago Career Forum. We are planning to do another this year. Let me know if you would like to help prepare for the next career forum.

In 2001, the Chapter inaugurated the 2001 Harry V. Roberts Statistical Advocate Award. The purpose of this award is to identify those individuals whose contribution to statistics lies in advocating the use of statistical methodology. The chapter decided to name the award after Harry Roberts, a long time member of the Chapter, because he best personifies the qualities that this award represents. Most recently, the award went to Steven Levitt. Is there someone in your company that you would like to nominate for this award? Let me know!

This year's monthly luncheon series will be organized by Borko Jovanovic. These luncheons provide an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues from the Chicago area and to learn from and be entertained by a truly diverse group of speakers. Last year's series organized by Lou Fogg. Thank you Lou. The 2008-2009 luncheons will usually be held in the East Bank Club the second Tuesday of the month from approximately noon to 1:30 pm (September through April). The East Bank Club, which is located near the Merchandise Mart at 500 N. Kingsbury, provides a central location that is accessible both by car or CTA. Would you like to make a luncheon presentation? Let Borko know!

The next Statistician of the Year award dinner is planned for Spring, 2009. This year the Statistician of the Year award went to David Wallace. The ASA Chicago Chapter Statistician of the Year program is an annual recognition of a professional statistician and his or her work. A nominating committee sends forth several names, and past recipients of the award elect the recipient. Send names you would like the nominating committee to consider to Richard Smiley. Another important activity of the Chapter is the Annual Spring Conference. This conference usually occurs on a Friday early in May and they have recently been held at the Loyola campus near the Water Tower. Organized around a timely statistical theme, the conference brings together experts from all over the country to make presentations and interact with conference participants in insightful panel discussions and question and answer sessions. Planning for the next Spring Conference in 2009 is about to begin. John VanderPloeg is this year's Conference VP. So to express your ideas and to volunteer your help in organizing this year's conference contact John.

Another way that the Chapter aims at providing continuing education to its members is through the statistical workshops. In recent years these workshops have been organized by Tony Babinec. Thank you Tony!. They are more in-depth than our luncheons, and more hands-on than our conference. These workshops provide members with a practical way of learning about and using new statistical techniques. Last March, the Chapter sponsored a successful workshop on survival analysis by Suzanne May. Let Tony know of your ideas for the next workshop.

Finally I would like to thank Lou Fogg for his work in coordinating Chapter efforts to encourage the establishment of STATCOM student organizations at universities in the Chicago area. STATCOM is a volunteer community outreach organization which provides professional statistical consulting services to governmental and nonprofit groups free of charge. Let me know if you would like to help with STATCOM. I am looking forward to a great year.

Thank you,
Gerald M. Funk
president@chicagoasa.org

Sept. 3rd 2008