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Society for the History of Children and Youth
MINUTES
OF THE BUSINESS MEETING
July
28, 2001
The meeting came to order at
4:30 PM in Straz Hall 105, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
James Marten introduced Joe Hawes, who came to the podium and thanked the
steering committee for organizing the conference and for creating a framework
for the Society for the History of Children and Youth.
Hawes introduced a motion from the Steering Committee to adopt the
by-laws, which was seconded. He then opened the floor to discussion. Several amendments were proposed and passed: the term
"bi-annual" will be struck from the by-laws; the number of at-large
members on the Executive Committee was raised from three to five; elections can
be held either at business meetings or via electronic or surface mail; the
phrase requiring student applicants to submit a letter from their Director of
Graduate Studies was changed to "evidence of their status as a
student"; a phrase allowing
nominations of candidates for office from the general membership was inserted;
terms of at-large members would be staggered, with three elected in odd years
and two in even years.
In the debate over these amendments, the membership raised and discussed several questions related to the nominating process, the makeup of the executive committee, and dues for students.
The by-laws were passed by a voice vote.
Hawes next nominated, on behalf of the steering committee, Ray Hiner for president of the organization, and asked for nominations from the floor. There being none, it was moved, seconded, and passed that nominations be closed. Hiner was elected by voice vote.
Hiner came to the podium and offered a few remarks on this "historic occasion" in which he urged the Society to avoid overspecialization, to seek inclusion of scholars from many disciplines, and to reach out personally to possible members.
Hiner, on behalf of the steering committee, nominated Joe Hawes for Vice-President/President Elect, and asked for nominations from the floor. There being none, a motion was made, seconded, and passed that nominations be closed. Hawes was elected by voice vote.
Hiner appointed James Marten as Secretary-Treasurer and accepted Marquette University's offer of to act as administrative home for the society.
Hiner, on behalf of the
steering committee, nominated Peter Bardaglio, Miriam Forman-Brunell, and Kriste
Lindenmeyer for at-large positions on the Executive committee, and asked for
nominations from the floor. Kriste
Lindenmeyer nominated Joe Austin and Leslie Paris; Miriam Forman-Brunell
nominated Kathleen Jones. A motion
was made, seconded, and passed that nominations be closed.
A discussion ensued about the mechanism for creating staggered terms for at-large members. In the end, Lindenmeyer withdrew her name from consideration. Hawes moved that the steering committee nominees serve one year terms and the nominees from the floor serve two year terms. The motion was seconded and passed.
Lindenmeyer offered to serve as a non-voting representative to the Executive Committee from H-Childhood. Since adding a member to the Executive Committee would require a vote by the membership, it was agreed that for the time being Hiner would simply appoint her to an equivalent position and that an amendment to the by-laws creating that position would be prepared before the next meeting.
A discussion of whether or not the Secretary Treasurer would be a voting member of the Executive Committee confirmed that he/she, as an appointed rather than elected officer, would not be able to vote.
A spirited discussion regarding the content of the Mission Statement ended with a motion being made, seconded, and passed that members should send suggestions for changes or additions to members of the Executive Committee by September 1; the committee would then draft a revised mission statement to be submitted to the membership.
A discussion of the frequency of meetings ended with agreement that, for the time being, we would plan bi-annual meetings. Lindenmeyer's offer to host the next conference in Baltimore in 2003 was accepted by the President.
Other issues discussed briefly included the need to recruit minority members, the desirability of establishing caucuses related to specific research interests, establishing an article or book prize (Hiner suggested calling it the "Robert Bremner Prize"). Patrick Ryan asked for a volunteer editor for H-Net; Tom Cardoza agreed to serve as one of the editors. E. Wayne Carp offered a word regarding book reviews for H-Childhood. Lindenmeyer announced that the e-mail addresses of conference participants would be posted on H-Childhood and reminded attendees of the scholars' directory and other features of the H-Childhood page. An invitation was also made for members to propose papers to the History section of the Society for Research in Child Development.
With no further business being offered, a motion was made, seconded, and passed to adjourn at 6:00 PM.
James Marten, Secretary-Treasurer
(Minutes for the 2001 meeting will be amended as necessary and approved during the business meeting at the 2003 Conference in Baltimore. In the meantime, comments should be sent to James Marten, Secretary-Treasurer.)