A History of the Boston Chapter of the American Statistical Association

• Activity Number: 483
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Committee on ASA Archives and Historical Materials
• Author(s): Dominique Haughton*+ and John D. McKenzie Jr.
• Companies: Bentley University/U. Paris I and Babson College
• Keywords: awards ; BCASA ; Presidents ; meetings ; newsletter ; Planning Committee

Abstract

This poster provides an historical overview of the Boston Chapter of the American Statistical Association (BCASA), the ASA chapter whose geographical area is composed of five New England states, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The BCASA traces its roots to the creation of the ASA in Boston on November 27, 1839. It was appointed as a duly constituted branch of the Association on November 2, 1929. It is now the second largest ASA chapter, with the majority of its membership residing in the Boston metropolitan area. The BCASA's governing document is a constitution, which explains its officers and its committees, most importantly its Planning Committee. Influential BCASA leaders, including all of its presidents and secretaries, will be profiled in this poster. Successful, and not so successful, examples of the chapter's numerous activities, such as its publications, meetings, awards, and educational short courses, will be presented in this display. It will explain how some of these activities have changed over time, such as how the chapter communicates with its membership. The poster will also present future challenges and opportunities for the BCASA.