Minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 18, 2011
Welcome and President’s Report
President Steve Sewell (College of the Maryland) called
the meeting to order at 5:40pm, and welcomed warmly all who were present.
President’s Report
Steve indicated the substantial
success of the Las Vegas meeting.
Despite continuing economic difficulties across the country and around
the world, as well as the fears of the past few years that the SHA was about to
decline as an organization (in terms of membership as well as attendance at
Conferences), he noted that the 2011 meeting could boast of the largest number
of sessions since San Antonio, back in 1999.
Nonetheless, he noted the vital importance on the part of each and every
member present to become a member of the organization, in case he/she had not
already done so. Steve reminded all
present that registration as well as membership fees amounted to $13 each. He reminded the members that the journal of
the SwHA finally has a new name: The
Chronicle of Historical Studies (CHS).
The name had been changed from the Red
River Valley Journal in order to reflect the increasingly diverse nature of
the SwHA membership, as well as papers being presented at annual SSSA
Conferences. Steve pointed out that, over
the years, people had thought that the journal was a regional publication
dealing exclusively with the history of the trans-Mississippi West. He noted that the organization will be in a
much more favorable position to receive donations since it has achieved 501c3
status. Steve thanked the Program Chairs
and Secretary-Treasurer for their contributions to the success of the SwHA: Patricia Juarez-Dappe (California State
University-Northridge),General Program Chair;
Jeff Burson (Macon State
College), Europe/Asian/Middle East History Coordinator; Shelly Lemons (St. Louis Community College at Meramec), U.S./Canadian
History Coordinator; Elizabeth Kalé
Haywood (Allegheny College), Latin America Coordinator; Mark Beasley (Hardin-Simmons University), Phi Alpha Theta
Coordinator; Alex d’Erizans (Borough
of Manhattan Community College [CUNY]), Secretary-Treasurer. Steve also took a moment in order to thank
his two most recent predecessors, Judith
Fai-Podlipnik (Northwestern University) and
Patrick Barr-Melej (Ohio
University) for their hard work and guidance.
Steve ended his report by encouraging all present to attend the annual
conference in San Diego next year.
Program Committee Reports
Patricia noted that the number
of session was indeed quite good, 72, plus 2 additional ones cross-listed with
Women’s Studies as well as 7 on teaching, demonstrating the increasing devotion
of the organization to interdisciplinary work.
Even though the membership of the SSSA actually went down, the numbers
for the SwHA went up.
Jeff revealed that his
section made a very positive showing this year.
It boasted of 21 panels, roughly 58 papers, taking into account some
last-minute cancellations). He noted
that expectations form last year were fulfilled, noting the modest, yet decent,
coverage of the Hellenistic Age, late Antiquity, and even ancient India. He also noted the relatively sizeable
contingent of international students.
The goals for 2010 are as follows: more paper submission and presentations
concerning China, the Middle East, the Middle Ages, Gender Studies, and India,
as well as an increased numbers of Chairs and Discussants in order to improve
upon the relative paucity in both respects this year.
Shelly revealed the strength
of her section as well, indicating that it had 21 panels as well, and over 70
participants. Concerning the latter, she
pointed out that a sizeable portion of the faculty and graduate students were
newcomers.
Kale indicated that her
section had 8 panels and roundtable discussions. The number of papers on Africa, particularly
the 19th century, was extraordinary.
The numbers for Latin America, however, were down. She pointed out that the roundtable film
screening documentary concerning William Walker (1824-1860), self-proclaimed President
of Nicaragua, was quite popular, and expressed the determination that similar
film screenings will take place next year.
Finally, Mark indicated that
the number of Phi Alpha Theta Panels had increased in one year from 16 to 23
sessions. Although he had been nervous
about inviting undergraduates, he was ultimately pleasantly surprised by the
high quality of their paper submissions.
In addition, he pointed out that the graduate panels were
outstanding.
Report from the Secretary-Treasurer Alex d’Erizans
(Borough of Manhattan Community College [CUNY])
Alex submitted the 2010
Business Meeting Minutes and Treasurer’s Report for consideration. Due to
the exorbitant cost of copying, Alex indicated to all present that he had made
copies of the Treasurer’s Report only, not the Minutes. He encouraged all present to take a look at
the Minutes online in order to let him know whether any revisions were
necessary. Both documents were accepted
and approved unanimously. Alex
indicated that the financial health of the organization was sound, at least for
the moment, for the SwHA received a shot in the arm due to the generous
donation of funds from Gus and Erika Manders in order to fund the first journal
edition (Volume 6). Since the infusion
of these funds was a one-time affair, Alex noted that the SwHA faces the same
challenges as it has in the past: the ability to substantially increase revenue
on a consistent, annual basis. Echoing
Steve’s earlier appeal, he stressed the need to increase membership, calling
upon all present to not only become members themselves, but to return to their
schools and encourage their colleagues to attend the annual Conference and
become members of the SwHA as well.
Finally, he mentioned that, in order to made donating easy and more convenient,
he plans to set up a PayPal account during the summer.
Journal Editor’s Report
Vernon L. Williams (Abilene Christian University) began by pointing out that the IRS has
officially approved the SwHA as a registered non-profit corporation in the
State of Texas. He indicated that he has
placed documents relating to the Texas filings and the IRS designation for
SwHA’s 501c3 status on the organization’s website, proceeding to provide
directions as to how to access them. He
pointed out that Volume 6 (the first under the new Journal title) is finished,
at the printers, and will be shipped to ACU on or about April 2. ACU’s bulk mailing center will ship to
members and authors about April 8-15. A
copy of Volume 5 will also be included in the mailing in order to insure that
all members have received that issue as well.
Vernon pointed out that some members present at last year’s Business
Meeting had received one when copies were distributed, but no mass mailing had
taken place. Beginning this year, the
CHS will be mailed to each paid members of the SwHA. Vernon pointed out that all costs for Volume
6 had been paid for through a generous gift of $3,890 from Gus and Erika
Manders of California. The donation was
arranged by Michael Meyer (University
of California-Northridge), who was solely responsible for obtaining the funding
for the issue.
Vernon pointed out that the
new title was already having an impact in the field. He noted, for example, that as soon as he placed
an advertisement on H-Net soliciting volunteers to write book reviews, he has
been receiving enthusiastic responses from all over the world. Such sentiment will enable the journal to
become an increasingly known and prestigious one over time.
Vernon mentioned that
donation forms are available for use by any members of friend of the SwHA who
wishes to make a tax-deductible gift to fund Volume 7, 2009-2010 (we are almost
current). The expected publication date
is late this year or early Spring, 2012.
He pointed out that the fundraising goal for members as well as
corporate sponsors this year is $6,000. This
sum would allow for a publishing budget of $4,000 for Volume 7 and the
repayment to the SwHA of $2,000, funds which had been advanced for Volume 5. He hopes to achieve this goal by obtaining
funs from local sponsors, book publishers, textbook providers, and
donations.
Vernon proceeded to describe
briefly Volume 6. He explained that it
was a specially-themed issue: After the
Nazis: Denazification, Re-Education, Reconstruction. It has 272 pages, 6 regular articles and 2
Best Paper Awardees for 2008 and 2009, as well as 21 Book Reviews. Michael
and Helmut Langerbein (University of
Texas at Brownsville) provide introductory essays.
Vernon called upon Jeff to
lay out in more detail the burgeoning organizational structure of the Journal. Jeff explained to all present that Vernon
will remain Editor-in-Chief, assisted by a Board of Governors, which will be
comprised of all the officers of the Executive Committee. Once we have a core group of peer reviews,
however, we will then establish an Editorial Board, existing separately from
the Board of Governors. Such a structure
would prevent “double-dipping,” and therefore enhance the legitimacy of the
Journal overall.
Vernon proceeded to present
awards to both Michael and Helmut (not present) for their tireless efforts in
support of the SwHA as well as to their own students, indicating that the
latter actually began a graduate program at his current institution.
Finally, Vernon called for
contributions (in the form of articles and book reviews) to Volume 7.
Concerning the reviews, the goal for the issue is 30. He also called for faculty to sign up as
peer-reviewers of manuscript submissions by sending him an e-mail indicating
their major fields. He stated that the
selection process for journal entries is double-blind, so that we need at least
two manuscript reviewers plus the editor for each article that goes through the
submission process.
Proposals/Comments from the SSSA President-elect,
Eddie Weller (San Jacinto College South)
Eddie made a motion in order
to reduce to $1000 the amount to be given back to the Association for the funds
that the SwHA had advanced for Volume 5.
A discussion ensued, through which many members argued that, considering
the spirit with which the SwHA gave out the money, the amount should be paid
back to the organization in full. The
motion failed to be passed. Instead, it
was tabled for a year, with the understanding that the SwHA would consider it
again in the future.
Nomination of new Europe/Asian/Middle East History
Coordinator
Dr. Jeffrey R. Hankins (Louisiana St. University) was nominated and elected
to the position by the unanimous consent of all those present.
Introduction of 2010-11 President
Steve officially announced
the appointment of Patricia as the new President of the SwHA. Patricia provided a few words of thanks and
appreciation.
Presentations of Paper Prizes
J. Howell Smith (
The SwHA U.S. history paper prize went to Cheryl L. Wilkinson (California State University-Northridge) for
“The Outsiders: The Struggle for Disabled Union Veterans’ Right to Vote in Los
Angeles, 1888-1915.” The Walter
Craddock Award (Europe/Asia) went to Kevin Goldberg (University of
California-Los Angeles) for “Noble Branches of the Vine: German Elite and the Modernization
of the Wine Trade.” The F. Bullitt Lowry Prize (best paper in Latin
American/African history) went to Daniel
H. Haworth (University of Houston-Clear Lake) for “Family Politics and the
Forging of Mexico in the Nineteenth-Century.”
New Business
In order to honor Steve and
Patricia for their hard work on behalf of the SwHA, Eddie called upon all
present to approve the following resolutions:
"Whereas Dr. Steve
Sewell has done an outstanding job as President of the Southwestern Historical
Association for 2010-2011, and
Whereas the SwHA is forever in his debt for
his tireless efforts,
Be it therefore resolved that the SwHA
expresses its gratitude to Dr. Steve Sewell.
Be it therefore further resolved that the SwHA
forward a copy of this resolution to Dr. Sewell and to the Dean, the Provost,
and President of College of the Mainland."
All members present approved the above
resolution unanimously.
“Whereas Dr. Patricia
Juarez-Dappe has done an outstanding job as First VP and Program Chair, and
Whereas the SwHA is in her
debt for her tireless efforts,
Be it therefore resolved that
the SwHA expresses its gratitude to Dr. Juarez-Dappe
Be it therefore further
resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to Dr. Juarez-Dappe and to her
Department Chair, as well as the Dean, Provost, and President of California
State University-Northridge.”
All members present approved
the above resolution unanimously.
Adjournment to the President’s Reception
Steve adjourned the meeting
at 6:50pm, reminding all present that the President’s Reception will take place
from 7:00pm-8:30pm.
Recorded and submitted by Alex d’Erizans, Secretary-Treasurer.