In June, representatives of the Finnish Chemical Society (SKS) board members, Local associations and scientific divisions, convened for a joint meeting in Helsinki, with the option to join remotely. Led by SKS Chair Miia Mäntymäki, the event featured open and constructive discussions on the challenges, opportunities, and future directions facing member associations. Through introductory presentations, participants built shared understanding of the current state of the field. The meeting ended with a raclette dinner at a Swiss restaurant, where food is shared and prepared collaboratively.
Association Activities Face Timely Challenges
Key themes emerged during the meeting: difficulties in engaging members, aging demographics, communication hurdles, and societal changes. Many associations reported similar pain points: a culture of busyness, shifting notions of community, and fragmentation that threaten continuity. Lively discussion and group input resulted in concrete solutions: centralizing communication, boosting cooperation across societies, reaching younger generations through school visits, and proactively onboarding incoming chairs before their terms begin.
Motivation and New Opportunities
Participants identified numerous ways to enhance the appeal of association activities: opportunities to develop professional skills, shape the society’s direction, strengthen community, and provide concrete incentives like scholarships and educational programs. Cross-disciplinary collaboration, partnerships with other organizations and educational institutions, and creative new event formats were seen as promising directions. The annual meeting will continue next year, with this year’s conversation laying a strong foundation for shared progress.
