We Are Now Adult
Paul Klinge
1959
The American history teacher
On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary luncheon of NABT in Washington last December, I remarked that the adolescence of NABT was ended, and the adult phase of the organization was beginning. In terms of chronology, program, membership, and future dreams this is now becoming quite evident. Indeed, often adulthood comes sooner than some people and some organizations are ready to face it. I believe most sincerely that NABT is now an adult organization and ready to enjoy a brilliant future
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... h its potentialities, with a rapidly increasing membership, and yes, with its obligations. Let me outline some of the problems that now face an adult NABT. Membership: With the splendid work of the membership chairmen throughout the United States under the efficient and diligent work of the Third Vice-President, Robert Smith, the membership of NABT has grown tremendously in the last few years to a total in excess of 4500. Certainly, too, this increase is also one of the products of the hard work of the Secretary-Treasurer, Paul Webster. Indeed, from the evidence that we have, we believe that we have one of the highest percentages as members of the total number of potential members of any national science teaching organization. This is the tangible result of much time and hard work. Yet much remains to be done. In contacts with biology teachers in various NSF institutes this summer it was evident that there were many who were not members of NABT and many who had not heard of the organization. It is also true that there are many new biology teachers each year as well as a considerable group of teachers who are teaching biology but not as their main assignment. In other words, there are many potential members of NABT. As we are told at each Board of Directors meeting, the goal of an increased membership is possible with more work, more money, and more assistants. The problem is clear, and the solution is clear. AIBS: In the past two years the American Institute of Biological Sciences of which NABT is a member organization has had a great and vigorous interest in the business of
doi:10.2307/4439142
fatcat:2np5ogjhabchbml4gp5al34cra