ASEH and Sustainability
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Minutes 2003
ASEH Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes
March 29, 2003
Providence, Rhode Island
[Please note that attachments mentioned in the Minutes are not included in this Executive Committee Meeting packet. These were reports that we reviewed last year, and they are attached to the original copy of the minutes with the permanent ASEH records in Seattle. –Lisa]
Participants: Carolyn Merchant, Doug Weiner, Mark Madison, Susan Flader, Adam Rome, Jackie Corn, Jeffrey Seine, Bill Rowley, Mark Harvey, and Lisa Mighetto
Guests: Steve Anderson, Nancy Langston, Mart Stewart, Marty Reuss, Karl Jacoby, Kate Christen, Paul Hirt, and Verena Winiwarter
1. Approval of Minutes. Mark Harvey made a motion to approve the minutes for the 2002 meeting. Jackie Corn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
2. The Executive Committee passed a Resolution of Appreciation for those rotating off the Executive Committee, including Susan Flader, Mark Harvey, John McNeill, and Bill Rowley.
3. Election Results. Lisa Mighetto reported the following:
Vice President/President Elect:
Stephen Pyne
Executive Committee:
Sarah S. Elkind
Nancy Langston
Ted Steinberg
Mart Stewart
Nominating Committee:
Dianne Glave
John McNeill
4. Providence Conference Report. Karl Jacoby provided a preliminary report on the conference:
379 preregistration
51 registered on site
approximately 100 students
total: 430 people
227 attended Jared Diamond=s talk the first evening of the conference
Preliminary Income Figures:
$6,000 in ads and booths
$12,000 donations from academic institutions
registration income not yet known
The Executive Committee then discussed the advantages of offering a one-day registration rate and appointing a separate committee for fund-raising, to assist local arrangements.
5. Sites Selection Committee Report. Marty Reuss presented two recommendations:
- Proposed local arrangements chairs should provide written letter demonstrating institutional support.
- Proposed local arrangements chairs should provide a list of local arrangements committee members.
Additional suggestions from the Sites Selection Committee: Generally, we should have each meeting selected three years in advance; next year we should decide on the 2007 meeting. We should consider SHOT-sponsored sessions at ASEH to increase our visibility; Doug Weiner could appoint a liaison committee to build relationships with other organizations. Marty will draft a formal set of recommendations for the Executive Committee.
6. Mark Madison summarized the Treasurer=s Report [see attached]. Mark Harvey made a motion to accept the treasurer=s report. Jackie Corn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Carolyn Merchant summarized the Development Committee Report [see attached]. Discussion ensued with Nancy Langston about travel grants for Victoria conference; Nancy agreed to send Lisa info. for announcement in the newsletter and website. Discussion about selection criteria ensued (how to select the grant recipients. Jackie Corn suggested that the selection process should be driven by need. Lisa agreed to send Nancy a list of last year's recipients.
Doug and Carolyn described the fundraising event at the museum in Providence. Carolyn offered several suggestions for fundraising:
· Establishing an advisory board for ASEH of prominent, well connected individuals who could assist with fundraising.
· Approach NGOs and other organization – perhaps offering a free subscription to the journal – explaining how environmental history can inform policy issues.
A discussion ensued, reminiscent of other discussions in past meetings, about the need to preserve ASEH's autonomy and remaining selective about who we approach for funds.
8. Steve Anderson summarized the Journal Report [see attached]. He began by describing difficulties associated with Rowecom declaring bankruptcy, and expressed concern about losing library subscriptions. He discussed the value of offering the journal online; despite the risks, he thinks we could make additional revenue in the long run.
Steve proposed to increase the membership rates, explaining that it has been two years since the last increase. And the journal now has two new features: Gallery and Reflections. Mark Harvey made a motion to accept the budget increase, except for students; Jeffrey Stine seconded the motion. Motion carried.
New Membership Rates:
- Joint membership of both FHS and ASEH, $70
- Joint student membership, $27.50
- Individual membership, $50
- Students, $20
- Library, $100
Melissa Wiedenfeld had requested a decrease in membership rates for developing countries (an e-mail request sent to Lisa); the Executive Committee decided against it. Carolyn suggested an "adopt a scholar" program to help fund international members in need.
The Executive Committee then passed a Resolution of Appreciation for the Forest History Society and its staff.
9. ASEH Website. The Executive Committee briefly discussed the new website, expressing enthusiasm. Carolyn suggested that a link to the Forest History Society be added, along with a "pay pal" category for online giving. The Executive Committee then passed a Resolution of Appreciation for Dennis Williams, who served for several years as ASEH webmaster.
10. Executive Director Position. Carolyn circulated a list of potentially expanded administrative duties and responsibilities. Resulting discussion was inconclusive, focusing on lack of funding. Lisa will serve as "acting" executive director for 2004, and this issue can be revisited at next year's meeting.
11. Nominating Committee. Kate Christen briefly summarized the experiences of the Nominating Committee in preparing a slate of candidates for this year's election. She expressed concern about pairing of candidates, and Nancy suggested presenting the candidates in groups instead of pairs. Kate also suggested that future nominating committees prepare a database of past officers and executive committee members, along with a pool of potential candidates. Kate and Verena Winiwarter rotate off the committee in 2003, with Paul Hirt and Andrew Hurley remaining (joined by newly elected Dianne Glave and John McNeill).
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.