MINUTES
Begin: 6:20 PM
Minutes taken by C. Todd White
Copy of Agenda Distributed
Cochair Laurence Cohen welcomed everyone. Cohen announced that Lisa Rofel would be stepping down and that Sandra L. Faiman-Silva would be replacing her.
1.) Approval of the Agenda
Passed unanimously.
2.) Approval of the Minutes
Circulated and passed unanimously.
3.) Benedict / Payne Prizes (Frank Proschan).
Payne Prize: Two papers of merit were submitted, but due to paucity of submissions the prize will be deferred to next year.
Ruth Benedict Prize:
Edited Volume: Robert A. Schmidt and Barbara Voss: Archaeologies of Sexuality.
Single Author: Two awards: Esther Newton for Margaret Mead Made Me Gay and Stephen O. Murray, Homosexualities.
4.) Reports
Secretary / Treasurer's Report (C. Todd White)
The treasurer's report was distributed to all present.
Todd apologized for not having arrived with SOLGA mugs. The printer went out of business days prior to the conference and did not come through with the order.
Apologies too for there being no cash bar at the business meeting. Instead, there will be a gathering at Lawrence Cohen's house later this evening.
A note on the SOLGAN: the publication is asleep due to lack of an editor and lack of content / submissions. The web site will try to compensate for this.
Todd announced that he would like to revamp the web site. He suggested that we create a section where we could post syllabi and current events.
Mentor File, Status Report (by Todd White, Christa Craven in absentia)
Todd announced that each mentor would soon have his or her own page, rather than have one long list as is currently the case. He encouraged mentors to submit promotional photos and updated information.
5.) Discussion of SOLGA's mission and priorities (Sandra Faiman-Silva)
Sandra began by noting that we are still maturing as an organization. Now, we need to learn how to mature as a section of the AAA. We need a commitment to the vision of what we want to do: A) conduct research and B) participate in a community. She opened the discussion by encouraging others to feel more a part of the organization. What does the group want?
Lawrence Cohen began the discussion with the reminder that the SOLGA bylaws came out of ARGOH, which were intended to create a different type of group. With this is mind, he asked, "What might be the best use of our organization over the next ten years?"
Jeff Dickman stated and noted that the goal A was a bit cumbersome but could be done.
Faiman-Silva responded taht those who best know the history of our organization need to help. She also suggested that we compile materials for teaching to assist memebers in their work.
Deborah Elliston stated that we needed to do a better job of harnessing volunteer energy.
Susan Seizer said that she would like to see SOLGA do a better job of pulling people into the organization who are not LGBT identified.
Lisa Rofel suggested that we expand the executive board to be more inclusive.
Gayle Rubin, referring to the ongoing discussion of our name, said that we don't need to rename the group, as there has always been a tension between "Do you have to be one to know one?" As for volunteers, she said we should recruit more. Also, she spoke toward a "dismal" history problem for queer folk in general. We need to agitate — maybe add something to our mission statement?
Frank Proschan voiced a frustration that there was "no call" for LGBT studies. We need to compile information on how to contribute to the advancement of LGBT scholarship and distribute our ideas through the web and a newsletter.
Dickman responded that we should involve other subfields.
Sandy replied that such work had begun. Cosponsoring sessions is a good way to do this.
Cohen agreed that we need to get a newsletter out. Reminded us that the real issue at hand is why we can't get jobs.
Proschan added that it is also hard to get published.
Seizer again noted that it might be our focus on our narrow topic that makes us invisible.
6.) Nominations of Female Cochair
- Gayle Rubin declined nomination.
- Deb Elliston was nominated by Evie Blackwood.
7.) Call for volunteers for vacant positions
- Payne and Benedict Prize committees: Evelyn Blackwood will continue to organize the Payne award and will put together a flyer to promote the prize.
- Anthropology News column editor: Barbara Vest
- Local arrangements for DC meetings: Frank Proschan would assist.
8.) AAA Annual Meeting in Washington DC
- Program cochairs: Heather Levi and David Valentine
- Centennial programs, 2001–2002 (Stephen O. Murray, Instituto Obregon)
9.) AAA Organizational Reports, Announcements, and Issues (Sandra Faiman-Silva and Frank Proschan)
- COLGIA report and follow up
AAA is to send findings report to all departs of anthropology. The summary is to be published.
- Darkness in El Dorado follow up
We feel that the ethics commission should respond to the book and controversy of "sex scandal mongering." We will be working with the ethics commission to yield a better understanding. Discussion and analysis of the book is encouraged via the listserv. Mary Gray volunteered to help.
10.) New Business
11.) Announcements
- Bill Leap reminded us of the annual Lavender Languages Conference at the American University in September of 2001.
A motion was made to adjourn, and it was seconded.
