Presidential address: reflections of a non-establishmentarian.

Since I am not a clinician I cannot address myself to the clinical syndrome, ESPAS (The Endocrine Society Presidential Address Syndrome), so eloquently described by my predecessor. Since I am not a comedian I cannot spontaneously or even with considerable forethought deliver clever "one-liners" to titillate you after a pleasant evening of camaraderie. Of course I do not feel the constraint of a previous president who noted that "he must remember that there are ladies present." I believe my ascending to the Presidency of The Endocrine Society is the final step in the general recognition that women have come of age in our Society and now participate with full equality in all its functions. I think it unfortunate that the Women's Caucus of the Society has chosen to remain a special interest group rather than changing its name and function so as to serve a developmental role for our entire membership. That this action is not representative even of the women of the Society is evidenced by the fact that of 197 polled, the vote for maintaining this name for the group was 32 for and 24 against. Another president had concluded that "there is so much conservatism and inertia in the Society that no President, however eager, would budge it." Yet I believe each President leaves his imprint on the Society. Perhaps mine will be in that I am secure enough not to say "his or her." In fact I find being a huperson too cumbersome, I would just as soon be human. Therefore I am one of the few chairpersons who dares to be a chairman. More importantly, I have been particularly concerned with integrating the newer members into the activities and functions of the Society. Thus, this year's Presidential Party is not a gala affair for old cronies but a welcome to the new members. I have urged the members to volunteer for service in the many functions of the Society. At our Business Meeting earlier today, as in a previous Town Hall, we encouraged the membership to make its views heard—and they did.