378 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

Report of the Committee on Local and Student Branches

By Ernest Little

During the past ASSOCIATION year new Student Branches have been organized a t the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, the Southwestern Institute of Technology, the University of Kansas, Western Reserve University and the University of Toledo.

These five new branches, organized during the past year, give us a total of fifty-three Local and Student Branches. Thirty-eight of these are Student Branches and fifteen are Local Branches of our ASSOCIATION. Of these branches, twenty- seven have been organized during the past five years.

The number of Student Branch members as of July 1, 1945, was, as accurately as could be deter- mined, 1180. This number compares with 986 student members as of July 1, 1944. I think you will agree that this increased interest and activity on the part of “our pharmacists of tomorrow” should be a source of great satisfaction and en- couragement to all of us. It is a condition which does not develop of and by itself. It means that not only the members of the Committee on Local and Student Branches, but many others, have been giv- ing time and thought and, most important of all, energy and work to this important ASSOCIATION project. The Committee extends its sincere thanks to all who have cooperated.

Student Branches, in general, have carried on active and interesting programs during the past school year. Many important special events have been sponsored by Student Branches. In many colleges of pharmacy Student Branch members as- sumed leadership in helping to develop the proper observance of Pharmacy Week and in constructing National Pharmacy Week window displays.

Several Student Branches are publishing Student Branch bulletins. The University of Colorado Student Branch is the latest one to join this list.

The Student Branch at Rutgers University spon- sored and assumed almost complete responsibility for Science Day. Over one thousand visitors in- spected the displays prepared by the Branch mem- bers.

One new Local Branch, the Northern California Local Branch, was established during the year. Re- ports of mectings held by Local Branches indicate that programs of high quality are being presented and that the members have found these programs to be both interesting and educational.

The membership of Local Branches has increased during the year and some Branches have been ex-

tremely active in obtaining new members for the ASSOCIATION. In this connection, special mention should be made of the North Pacific, Western New York, Northern California, Northwestern Ohio and California Branches, all of which have been unusuh ally successful in obtaining new A. PH. A. members.

In my report last year I made the following statement: “Your Committee Chairman has, as best he could during a busy and upset year, kept in touch with the various branches and has attempted to offer suggestions as to program material and other important matters which he thought might prove helpful. These efforts have, however, been quite inadequate. I look forward to the time when the finances of the ASSOCIATION will permit the appointment of a man on our staff in Washington, D. C., whose chief responsibility will be to keep in touch with and personally visit all Local and Student Branches during every ASSOCIATION year. As the number of Branches increase, the efforts of a part- time Chairman become less and less adequate. This is a full time job and a mighty important one. I urge that some more adequate provision be made a t the earliest opportunity.”

Since that time we have had six new Local and Student Branches organized. The need referred to above is more acute and necessary today than ever before. I understand that Secretary Fischelis is giving careful consideration to this suggestion at the present time. I hope it will be possible for him to provide the necessary help. I know that he and the Council will do everything within their power to meet this pressing need.

With the close of the war and the consequent in- crease in enrollment in colleges of pharmacy, it may be possible during the ensuing year to further foster tHe district organization of Student Branches.

This project was discussed in some detail in last year’s report. It, too, is a matter requiring as immediate attention as possible and, to be best and most safely done, should be headed up by the national officers in Washington, D. C.

The Chairman wishes to express his apprecia- tion of the continued help of Mr. Charles R. Bohrer during the past year in promoting the work of this Committee. He also thanks Secretary Robert P. Fischelis for his unusual interest and fine support. The Committee has discussed many possibilities of improvement with Dr. Fischelis and believes that next year will see the work of this Committee go forward with increased acceleration.