The boards of the Optical Society of America (OSA) and SPIE have concluded that they are interested in continuing the unification process. As a result, both boards will vote at the end of May to decide whether to put the unification proposal to a vote of the full membership of each society. Meanwhile, according to Elaine Gansz Bobo, director of communications at OSA, the societies are conducting due diligence and writing bylaws so that members will be able to make informed decisions.
"Now it's time to hear the members," said SPIE President Paul Schenker. The call for member input has characterized the unification process as boards of both societies strive to avoid trampling any cultural issues important to members.
Schenker noted a member survey on unification, saying that "officers of both societies were gratified and intrigued to see the results." The results are available on the Web sites of both societies.