HI, I'm sorry I'm getting to emails right now, I've been travelling. I have a strong point of view regarding increasing participation in NCSG. First, I acknowledge that there is an underlying statistical phenomenon: the more of us, the more participation we shall have. Furthermore, the more participation, the more meaningful the discussions will be. So the question boils down to: how do we increase the number of interested persons in NCSG. I have been doing this with my graduate students (recently), invinting them to be active and join the NCSG. I believe this is the right way to go, but possibly not the only way, so this is, at the end, just a partial answer. Right now, I invite all the members in the list to advocate to friends and colleagues, to join in. Each one of us could be the gateway to add 3 or 4 more members each week. Another way of evangelizing the NCSG and the importance of the discussions we have the privilege to follow, is to make some of these discussions circulate among friends and colleagues. I often forward important discussions to my students (after dully anonymized, of course). Warm regards, Nuno Garcia On 30 September 2011 08:20, Avri Doria <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > As I have not been able to get a conference call scheduled yet, I am starting the question process. I suggest that all candidates answer all questions. I suggest that they feel free to debate among themselves and with the members of the NCSG. > > Thanks > > Avri > > > Question 1: How does one achieve greater participation from NCSG members. What is the responsibility of the Chair/council member in the effort to achieve greater participation >