Does the Nutrition Society serve the needs of its overseas members?

Nutritionists in the UK have a long history of associations throughout the developed and the developing world. For many individuals career development has included a period of time spent working overseas whereas for others, the preferred career option has been abroad. The UK is rightly proud of the quality of training which has been offered to students of nutrition from ovcrseas. On many occasions the professional and personal friendships developed during this training period represent an important point of contact with the wider body uf professional nutritionists. Given these longstanding links it is hardly surprising that many members of the Nutrition Society are resident overseas. In the review of the membership carried out in 1985 the findings showed that as many as one-third of the membership were living overseas (Ashwell & Cole, 1986). 'The Nutrition Society exists to serve the needs of all its members. From time-to-time concern has been expressed in Council that the Society has not been doing as much as it might for its overseas members. These concerns relate especially to those members in developing countries who work in relative isolation. either scientifically or professionally. The question was raised as to whether thc Society should or could be doing more for these membcrs. (1) establish whether overseas members were satisfied by the scrvice they received from the Society and, (2) identify ways in which the Society might address any perceived problems or difficulties expressed by overseas members. In 1989 a questionnaire was sent out to all overseas members. The questionnaire sought to ascertain the extent to which members were satisfied with the Society and whether their needs were being met in certain areas. This report summarizes the results from that questionnaire.