LACS-SHA Executive Meeting

St, Louis, 2013

Attending: T. Corse, R. Smale, S. Franklin, M. Childs, B. Owensby, T. Rogers, R. Brown

1.       Rogers opened the meeting

2.       The 2012 minutes were approved

3.       Childs – Treasurer’s report

a.       We have up to 80 members, unclear. We’ve had 95-100 in the past, down about 20.

b.      We may need a membership committee

c.       Not all our presenters have been joining

d.      We don’t need much money. We spend only $2000/year; 80 members plus donations will cover that

e.      We get about $1200 from book submissions and $600 for the articles, roughly covering expenses

4.       Rogers asked about 501-c3 status

a.       Childs said there was no progress

b.      Corse discussed problem of the use of his Social Security number

c.       Owensby noted the importance of spending our money if we become a 501-c3

d.      Discussion of what to do with extra money led to Rogers suggesting a hierarchy of needs, with subsidizing graduate students at top of list

e.      Owensby said we should look at fixed costs and whatever is left can be used for grad students

5.       Childs noted it would be easier if our membership data went directly to the SHA. SHA would have all the information up front and it would be simpler at our end.

6.       Franklin – we said last year we would have one project each year. Perhaps fixing 501-c3 issue should be the one this year. Franklin offered to follow up on issue. There was also discussion about using the 501-c3number of SHA.

7.       Smale discussed the program

a.       Most of what happened this year was cobbled together

b.      It appears there are some no-shows; 75% attrition from Mexican scholars is a big part of that

c.       Childs noted this is complicated by need to prepare a year in advance

d.      Rogers noted a great response for Atlanta – 7 full panel proposals, 23 individual papers. Five panels accepted.

e.      Owensby noted the problems of high submissions and many rejections. Rejection rate different for different cities. Discussed possibility of analyzing trends over the last four years.

8.       Rogers opened a discussion on new officers

a.       Childs wants to step down as treasurer, could perhaps become SHA representative

b.      Smale could become Vice President

c.       T. Spike has said she is willing to be Treasurer

d.      After discussion , council decided to present this slate to the general meeting

9.       Rogers discussed the prize competitions

a.       L. Matthew won the book prize; M. O’Hara won the article prize; J. Gaffield won the dissertation prize; W. Yingling won the graduate prize.

b.      Several submissions from Latin America, and elsewhere

c.       Discussion about altering geographic area for submitters. Council decided to maintain current definition for coming year.

10.   Franklin confirmed that the 501-c3 matter would be our big project this year

11.   Discussion of possible Atlanta speakers followed.

12.   Childs raised the possibility of two-year terms for officers. No conclusion was reached.

13.   Rogers closed the meeting.

LACS-SHA Business Meeting

St. Louis, 2013

1.       T. Rogers opened the meeting

2.       B. Ganson gave the LACS SHA representative report

a.       J. Inscoe has been a great supporter; next year his last as Secretary-Treasurer of SHA. S. Berry of UGA will replace him.

b.      Audio Visual bill from hotel was $2800. SHA is thinking about an AV fee.

c.       SHA also talking to H-South about online presentations

d.      Atlanta 2014, Little Rock 2015, St. Petersburg 2016, Dallas 2017, Birmingham 2018

e.      SHA discussed three-year rule on presenters, said chairs are included

f.        S. Franklin noted that SHA had backed down on chair rule last year

g.       Ganson suggested a liaison with European and others sections. Europeans invited us to a joint party next year.

3.       T. Rogers reported on the program and treasury issues

a.       Good panels this year.

b.      We have a robust program for 2014 Atlanta. Large number of application speaks to our strength

c.       Membership at 80, 100 last year. Fluctuates with participation.

d.      $7000 in the bank

e.      Thanks to M. Childs for being our Treasurer for many years

4.       Rogers opened discussion of new officers

a.       Franklin will transition to President

b.      We need a new Vice-President, Treasurer, and SHA representative

c.       The Executive Committee nominates R. Smale for Vice-President, T. Spike for Treasurer and Childs for SHA representative.

d.      There were no nominations from the floor.

e.      The proposed slate was approved by acclimation.

5.       Rogers recognized the award winners who were present, and read out award citations.

6.       Rogers introduced the speaker, B. Fischer, who spoke on “Intimate Inequalities and Emancipatory Histories in the Brazilian Northeast: Recife, 1870-1900,” and took questions.

7.       Rogers handed the meeting over to Franklin.

8.       Franklin thanked Rogers and Fischer, and asked for volunteers for the prize committee.

9.       The meeting adjourned.