Diana Temple
FASTS (Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies) represents the interests of about 40,000 scientists in Australia, and includes all the big specialist scientific associations, e.g. the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. It lobbies government and media and liaises between disciplines.
It was suggested at the WISENET December 1995 meeting, which explored the possibility of WISENET becoming an umbrella group for women scientists, that this might best be approached through FASTS.
After discussions with the Executive Director of FASTS in Canberra, Toss Gascoigne, WISENET sent two copies of WISENET Journal, with an explanatory letter seeking publicity, to all 39 societies in FASTS, as a membership drive and applied for Affiliate Membership of FASTS. The Board of FASTS has agreed to offer us Affiliate Membership. This gives power to influence, advise and attend Council meetings, but not to vote. Full membership subscription is $13,500 per year. FASTS asks that, as Affiliate Member, WISENET be asked to pay 10% of the full subscription, that is $1,350.
WISENET survives on members' subscriptions, about $6,500 a year. Accumulated funds are less than $7000, and do not increase. While we want membership of FASTS, it could bankrupt us in 4-5 years.
What should WISENET do to raise $1,350 annually? a) Raise subscriptions by $4 or $5 - this may be counterproductive and result in failure to renew membership, though several members consulted believe this to be the best course. Membership subscriptions have been unchanged for more than 7 years. b) Ask the Office of Status of Women for $1350 a year-but the Minister for Women's Affairs says women's organisations must be self~ supporting. d) Ask CSIRO for an annual donation. e) Ask DIST Science & Technology Awareness Unit. This we have done, as part of an application for a Project Grant for 1997. The result of the application will be available in March.
The Central Link Team believes affiliation with FASTS to be important, and proposes to accept the invitation from FASTS.