MANRRS
is a national society that welcomes membership of people of all
racial and ethnic group participation in agricultural and related
science careers. MANRRS members are encouraged to be full participants
in other professional societies for their basic disciplinary and
career interests. However, MANRRS attempts to provide networks to
support professional development of students of color. It is a springboard
for their entry into and advancement in careers where they otherwise
could be lost in the sheer number and established connections of
mainstream participants.
For student members, MANRRS provides role models and networking opportunities. MANRRS also offers students opportunities to enhance leadership, organizational, and public speaking skills, and to experience professional critique of scholarly work in a "user friendly" environment. An annual membership directory is planned to provide student members national exposure in career and graduate study markets.
MANRRS professional
members are often the only, or one of few, minority participants
in their basic disciplinary societies or at their career locations.
MANRRS provides them a network of counterparts from similar background
with related interests and goals. More experienced members serve
as mentors for newer graduates.
The historical
roots of traditionally formed networks within professions will prevent
their replacement by MANRRS or any other alliance. However, MANRRS
provides its members a similar inner circle of relationships to
circumvent some of the exclusionary impacts of established professional
lines of communication.
Finally, MANRRS also serves
employers in the broader agricultural sector. It provides them a
locus to identify prospective well qualified employees who are members
of ethnic groups, which, when combined, are projected to be the
new majority in the work force in the not toodistant future.
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