You have many choices of professional societies to which to belong--why ASTMH?
ASTMH is generally recognised as one of the most important professional organisations for anyone interested in tropical medicine. It's a large and very active organisation with global reach. It is definitely an international society.
Why be a member when you can attend the Annual Meeting and purchase AJTMH articles without being a member?
I think a sense of collegiality is very important--and this is what gets one from being a member of an organisation like ASTMH. Now that you asked the question, perhaps I should think of just attending the meetings--but I don't think I will!
ASTMH advocates for increased U.S. federal funding for tropical medicine/global health research. From your viewpoint in Kenya, is this a priority for the Society?
Absolutely!
What steps can the Society take to better meet the needs and concerns of members who hail from countries outside North America?
I think the Society does pretty well in this respect, though holding meetings in other countries is always good.
Do the face-to-face networking aspects of ASTMH--often cited as one of its strengths--matter in an age of electronic communication?
I do find this in-person communication important. Although electronic communication has transformed the way we work and interact, I can't imagine a time when it will replace the pleasure of meeting colleagues face-to-face. You can switch rapidly between different issues, catch up on friends and family, as well as work. It's hard to go for a beer on Skype!