1996 Annual RCDPM Business Meeting Minutes

The meeting, attended by 46 members, was opened at 1:28 by President, George Bright. Anna Graeber, Secretary, noted that the minutes of the 1995 annual meeting were posted by the conference registration desk just prior to noon on Thursday, February 29. A motion for approval of the minutes was made and seconded; the minutes were approved.

Marty Hopkins, Vice-President for Conferences, thanked the conference co-chairs, Enrique Ortiz and Karri Williams. The conference chair for the next annual meeting, David Bolivar, and Program Chair, Jayne Fleener, announced the location of the 1997 conference and showed a brief Chamber of Commerce video on Oklahoma City. It was announced that the 1998 meeting, the silver anniversary meeting, was being planned for College Park, MD, site of the organization's official founding. There is also a proposal in the making for the 1999 site, College Station, Texas. The new Vice-President for Conferences, Ginny Usnick, announced that she would meet with Conference committee members and all interested in hosting or serving on conferences during the breakfast hour tomorrow.

Vice-President for publications, Jane Schielack thanked Jean Schmittau, Editor of FOCUS, for her continued efforts. Jane reported for Jean that during 1995, FOCUS had received 42 manuscripts; had accepted immediately upon review 3, accepted with revision 14, and had 12 still in the review process. a paper weight will be given to Jean as a token of appreciation. Jane also thanked newsletter editor Dawn Kidd for her work in continuing the newsletter. Dawn thanked the writers of articles, George Wyer for his support in providing mailing labels, and Carolyn Pinchback for prompt reimbursement of newsletter expenses. George Bright and Jane recognized Roy Callahan and Bill Speer for their efforts in starting the Musings Column of the newsletter. Bill Speer and Daniel Brahier will continue to edit the column.

George Bright presented the treasurer's report for Carolyn Pinchback. The general treasury budget is now reported by calendar year. For 1995, the figures are:
 

The conference account lost approximately $1,300 last year. This year's conference is expected to break even. A motion for approval of the Treasurer's report was made and seconded; the motion was approved.

George Wyer, membership Chair, reported current membership of 203. George noted that 70% of the members have now listed e-mail addresses, and he asked that members continue to help recruit new members. He thanked George Bright, Marty, and Carolyn for their support, and he noted that he was turning over complete data bases for the last several years of membership.

George Bright reported the following election results on behalf of Martin Johnson, chair of the 1995 Nomination's Committee:

• Conference Chair--Ginny Usnick
• President Elect--Bill Speer
• Treasurer--Sue Brown
• Conference Committee Members--Carolyn Pinchback and Alan Zollman

• Vice-President of Publications
• Secretary
• Two Members of the Conference Committee

George Bright presented Bill Speer with a paper weight in acknowledging his past and continuing role as RCDPM archivist. President Bright also presented plaques in recognition of the contribution of the following outgoing elected officers: Carolyn Pinchback, Treasurer; Marty Hopkins, Vice-President for Conferences; and Martin Johnson, Past-President. George also thanked appointed officials, George Wyer, Membership; Jean Schmittau, FOCUS Editor; Dawn Kidd, Newsletter Editor; and Bill Speer, Archivist and noted that they had agreed to continue their roles in 1996.

George made the following announcements from the Executive Board:

1. The publisher of FOCUS has indicated that there will be a $1.50 increase in the price of a subscription (from $16.50 to $18.00). The subscription is a benefit of RCDPM Membership; the Executive Board voted not to pass the increase on by raising the cost of membership at this time. The Executive Board will continue to monitor the health of the general budget.
2. Plans are in the making for the 25th Anniversary meeting to be held in 1998 in College Park, MD, and members' ideas about how we should celebrate are being sought.

No items of new business were received from the floor.