Minutes of the 15th Annual SPCW business meeting

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

 

The meeting was convened at 8:00pm at the Indian Peaks Lodge of the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado.

 

In attendance: Trudy Conway, Lani Roberts, Joseph Orosco, Jeremy Wisnewski, Charlie Harvey, Jeanne Harvey, Jeffrey Fry, Andy Fiala, Joe Jones, Polly Jones, Ramon Das, Janet Donohoe, George Teschner, Lisa Hoelle, Travis Anderson, Dillon Emerick, Simon Potter.

 

Trudy began the meeting by commending Jeremy and Janet for their fine work on the 2008 conference.  All in attendance exhibited their agreement with a round of applause.

 

I.          Moderator Reports (to be attached)

Ed Grippe: Eastern Division (2005-2008).  2008 program in Philadelphia 12/28/2008.

David Chan: Central Division (2007-2010).

Jeremy Wisnewski: Pacific Division (2006-2009).  Jeremy requested giving up this position since he will be organizing the 2009 annual SPCW meeting. 

 

 

II.        Treasurer’s Report: Joseph Orosco (to be attached)

 

III.       Journal Report: Andy Fiala and Lani Roberts

 

 

There are currently 91 subscriptions.  This represents a reduction by about 30 subscriptions.  It is not clear whether these are personal subscriptions or institutional subscriptions. 

 

This year there was a 45% acceptance rate.  Two issues were produced this year. 

a) 12 articles, 152 pages

b) 13 articles, 154 pages

 

The next issue will be a special issue on the work of Ralph Ellis edited by Charlie Harvey.  It will contain approximately 15 articles including responses to some of the articles by Ralph Ellis.

 

Andy indicated that the Ralph Ellis issue is the last planned special issue, so that if people have ideas for other special issues they should make proposals to Andy as he is quite open to the idea of special issues.

 

 

IV.       Elections

 

Director: 2007-2010.  No election.  Position held by Trudy Conway.

Secretary: 2006-2009.  No election.  Position held by Janet Donohoe.

Moderators: Two elections were held this year since Jeremy Wisnewski indicated a desire to have someone else do the Pacific Division and Ed Grippe’s term for Eastern Division is completed.

 

Eastern Division 2009-2012.  Dillon Emerick was elected by vote (with no dissenting votes).

Centra Division 2007-2010.  No election.  Position held by David Chan.

Pacific Division 2009-2012.  Travis Anderson was elected by vote (with no dissenting votes).

 

Treasurer: 2005-2008.  Joseph indicated a willingness to serve a second term as treasurer.  He was reelected by acclamation.  His term will be 2009-2012.

 

 

V.        Presentation on 2009 Conference Site

 

Jeremy Wisnewski provided information about the site for the 2009 conference.  Dates for the conference are tentatively July 18-23, 2009 at the Pine Lake Environmental Campus.  The site is approximately 1 hour from Albany, 1 ˝ hours from Binghamton.  Cabins as well as a lodge can be rented to accommodate all conference attendees.  Cabins have kitchens, but the most promising way to feed everyone is to hire a chef for the week.  Jeremy indicated a willingness to arrange for a shuttle from the Albany airport.  The bus from NYC to Oneonta is $43.50 each way.  A room for the week for a single person is $320.00 with approximately $35.00 per day for food.  The highest cost for the week for housing and food, then, would be $495.00.  This cost could be significantly reduced by sharing a room and by hiring a chef instead of depending upon institutional food.  Airfares from several cities were presented.  Airfare would most likely be around $400.00.

 

The site and co-directors were agreed upon unanimously.  Jeremy Wisnewski will do local arrangements.  Co-director for the program will be Ramon Das.

 

Discussion moved to a theme for the conference.  It was decided that the call for papers will stress that this is an open conference with three special sessions on:

            a) Whither the Liberal Arts?

            b) Living Mindfully: Food, Environment, and Technology

            c) Sport, Play and Leisure

 

The call for papers will stress that papers on any topic will be considered and may also suggest other possible topics for consideration.

 

Joseph Orosco made a brief presentation on future prospects for the conference in the Northwest.  Options include Newport, OR at a resort hotel called Shiloh Inn on the Pacific Coast with the Coast Range approximately 15 minutes away.  Another option is the State Part at Silver Falls.  Travis Anderson also suggested looking into La Push near Seattle.  Joseph was charged with gathering information on the sites proposed for further discussion next year.

 

VI.  Discussion of SPCW’s relationship with PDC.

 

Joe Jones gave some background information about why SPCW initially made the move to the Philosophy Documentation Center for membership and journal distribution.

 

Trudy indicated that much communication had taken place over the course of the year between she and Pam Swope and George Leaman at the Philosophy Documentation Center.  The PDC has made certain recommendations about our journal subscription rates.

 

After much discussion, Charlie Harvey moved that we raise the individual membership rate for the society including subscription to the journal by $5.00 making it $55.00 and that we earmark the additional income for support of graduate students’ participation in the annual conference.  The motion was seconded by Joe Jones.  The motion carried.

 

Andy Fiala moved that the institutional subscription rate be increased to $165.00 which would then include electronic access to the journal.  Charlie Harvey seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

Joe Jones moved that we ask George Leaman for regular and timely itemized billing in an effort to ease concerns about what service the PDC is really providing for the society.  Andy Fiala seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

 

10:00 pm meeting was adjourned.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Donohoe, SPCW secretary.