SHA-LACS Executive Meeting

Atlanta, 2014

Attending: S. Franklin, T. Spike, T, Corse, M. Childs, P. Bradley, R. Smale, J. Wolfe, P. Szok

1.       Franklin called the meeting to order

2.       The council approved the 2013 minutes unanimously

3.       Spike gave the treasurer’s report – 122 members, up from 80, Little Rock might be smaller. $3650 in account. That’s before prizes. Childs noted the suite had not been paid for either.

4.       A discussion followed on the speaker’s honorarium. Council decided on $500.

5.       Wolfe reported on the program. Had to turn away 12 submissions.

6.       Szok reported on the 2015 program. Meeting with SHA went well and looks like they will take our program as is.

7.       Franklin opened a discussion of new officers. The council nominated and approved Bill Norman of James Madison for Vice President.

8.       Smale asked for suggestions for a new panel organizer for Dallas.

9.       Childs - SHA likes panels with a southern related themes. SHA holds to the 3-year rule but tends to give us a pass. Franklin noted they don’t tend to check it till summer and take into account our small size. Childs – SHA doesn’t care as much about chairs and the three 3-year rule.

10.   Franklin discussed the prize winners. We did not recognize a graduate paper this year but will next year. Dissertation prize is still open for naming, with a donation.

11.   Spike discussed the status of 501-c(6) status. Foundation Group has been very helpful. We are now classified as a business professional organization, not a charitable organization. Main difference is donations to us will not be tax exempt. We will be incorporated in Lumpkin Co., GA. We need to approve bylaws, sign minutes and redefine relationship with SHA (this has been done, need to finish paperwork). IRS is approving this easily. We paid $3200 to Foundation Group and they will work with us to the end. The website needs a clear link to registration, by-laws.

12.   Childs noted that only S. Jones and L. Woodward ever gave us money, so maybe tax exempt doesn’t matter.

13.   Council approved by-laws and reaffirmed relationship to SHA by unanimous vote.

14.   Childs suggested that we need a membership committee so membership does not fall entirely on treasurer. Maybe a full professor, a mid-career professor, and a graduate student. Smale noted that a lot our membership comes from awards and panels, thus a lack of continuity. Franklin suggested a discount for rolling or possibly 3-year memberships. Spike said that many people opted for a rolling membership, but there were problems with expired card numbers.

15.   Smale talked about SHA journals, and getting more visibility in them for LACS, Latin American themes. Franklin suggested a state of the field panel, on practicalities (not just historiography). Childs suggested it might be good for some for the less attractive sites.

16.   Smale opened discussion on a speaker for Little Rock.

17.   Corse mentioned the possible need for a private web server. Council approved idea at a cost of up to $200 annually.

18.   Childs gave the LACS SHA representative report. SHA is happy with us, likes our colonial strength. The panel/membership ratio will always be an issue. It’s easier for us than the Europeans to link to the South.

SHA-LACS Business Meeting

Atlanta, 2014

1.       S. Franklin opened the meeting, and strongly praised the 2014 panels

2.       M. Childs gave the LACS SHA representative report. Unlike past years, SHA has no complaints and thinks we are doing a great job. Much credit goes to J. Wolfe, the 2014 panel chair. P. Szok met with SHA 2015 panel and they were very positive.

3.       T. Spike gave the treasurer’s report. 122 members, up from 80, $3800 in account.

4.       Franklin explained that LACS is well along in perusing 501c-(6) status. We really could not have done this without professional help. This should be finished in a few months.

5.       Franklin opened nominations for Vice President, announced that the Executive Council and nominated B. VanNorman of James Madison University. No nominations came from the floor. VanNorman was elected by acclimation.

6.       C. Black announced the book prize, noting that we had had several good submissions. The winner was Gregory T. Cushman for Guano and the Opening of the Pacific World: A Global Ecological History (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

7.       M. de la Rosa announced the Kimberley Hanger Prize. The winner was Celso Thomas Castilho, Vanderbilt University for “Performing Abolitionism, Enacting Citizenship:  The Social Construction of Political Rights in 1880s Recife, Brazil” Hispanic American Historical Review (2013) 93 (3): 377-409.

8.       T. Rogers announced the dissertation prize. The winner was Tore C. Olsson, University of Georgia, 2013 for “Agrarian Crossings: The American South, Mexico, and the Twentieth-Century Remaking of the Rural World.”

9.       Franklin announced the Ralph Lee Woodward prize. The winner was Nathan Weaver Olsen, University of Minnesota, for "The (Un)lettered Frontier: Power and Literacy on the Fringes of Empire."

10.   Franklin reminded everyone that the dissertation prize was still open for naming. Childs said the $3000 will get your name read out at every future meeting unless a higher bid comes in.

11.   T. Rogers introduced the speaker J. Lesser, who spoke and took questions.

12.   Franklin thanked the officers and turned the meeting over to R. Smale.

13.   Smale thanked Franklin for her service and noted that he was looking for people to serve on the prize committees.

14.   Smale closed the meeting.