The future of any scientific society is a simultaneous source of hope and concern. The path that leads to the success of a society is circuitous, but it is clearly paved by the commitment of its members. In our own association, the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), it has been difficult to achieve a generational continuity to ensure an orderly and coherent transition between the most experienced partners and our younger associates. SEPAR has few younger members, and their knowledge of the structure, functioning, services or possibilities offered by a society like ours equally scant. Moreover, the participation of our younger members in SEPAR’s scientific or executive bodies, in integrated research programs (IIP), and in conference sessions is limited. To address this issue, SEPAR conducted the Young Members Survey, which has collected responses from more than 300 members under the age of 45. They were asked about their involvement and their perception of SEPAR, and about their expectations within our society. Findings show that at least 75% of respondents would like to participate in the emerging working groups areas, but only 25% actually do so. Young members have the impression that joining these working groups is complex. Indeed, up to a third of our younger members do not even know which working groups exist within SEPAR. These data highlight the difficulty of making a gradual handover of the society’s values and mission to the new generations and leaders of the future. They also hint at the strength that SEPAR could achieve if all the associates who show interest developed their enthusiasm, not only in the scientific field, but also in institutional and organizational activities, and in the different structures of the society. SEPAR's concern about its lack of young leaders is public knowledge. The initiative of emerging groups in the different SEPAR areas, for example, was created to address this shortfall in participation. However, these groups are fully focused on achieving scientific objectives, and are not specifically geared up to motivating leadership within the society.

Recently, the governing board of SEPAR launched the “Young SEPAR” committee, a cross-sectional group formed to act as a bridge between the most experienced and the newest members. One of the objectives of this committee is to encourage all recently joined members to play a greater and more active role in SEPAR events and projects. Another goal is to promote the training of new leaders through specific activities that increase their visibility. Projects such as "SEPAR in the Future", the "Young Lecturer" talk, or the variety of resources on the website of the Young SEPAR committee aim to promote participation and interest in all that our society is able to offer for the scientific and personal development of its members. The results of our Young Members Survey signal the way forward for this committee and will serve as the basis for the first Young SEPAR meeting in 2021. This meeting will give our new generations the opportunity to participate actively on the front line in all areas, and will feature sessions focused specifically on individual development and also on the structure of SEPAR. The aim is for everyone to feel part of our association, to see the group as their own, and to understand that the future of our society depends on and at the same time nourishes their own personal development. The future of SEPAR is built on the groundwork of the present, and today’s leaders must encourage our young members to become involved. Our colleagues who have built up the society to its remarkable position at present are committed to building a future that will maintain and expand on the current success of SEPAR. For this reason, we young members have a responsibility for the future – a considerable responsibility that, far from overwhelming, is positive and optimistic. It is a responsibility that must be seen as an opportunity to show what we can do for our society. As the Young Members Survey shows, there is still a way to go, but SEPAR is aware of this and is taking the initiative. The future belongs to the young people of SEPAR; we are prepared.