Popular Communication Division
2003 Business Meeting Minutes
Recorded by Tony DeMars, Pop Comm Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. Saturday 4/5/2003 by chair Margaret D’silva. 

Those in attendance signing in were Danielle Williams, Debbie Phillips, Trudy Hanson, David Thomas, Margaret D’silva (chair), Rick Olsen (vice chair elect), Emmett Winn (vice chair), Wendy Hajjar, Wesley Buerkle, Julie Berman, Tony DeMars (secretary & division web site editor), and Kim Golombisky (who went to the Burke Society meeting after signing in).

D’silva reported on attendance at the Executive Council meeting and noted upcoming conferences, in 2004 in Tampa, in 2005 in Baton Rouge, in 2006 in Dallas/Fort Worth. D’silva reported on the membership directory available for $5 and about the decline in SSCA membership.  It was noted that Pop Comm division membership was actually up by one, and member W. Hajjar noted that Pop Comm received more paper submissions than the Mass Comm division. D’silva also reported that the new chair needs to appoint a committee to look at the division’s by-laws.

D’silva discussed the available SSCA committees with positions available, going through the list of committees and giving brief descriptions.  The chair also polled the group members regarding attitudes and suggestions regarding the convention off-site event.  E. Winn commented about less participation; W. Hajjar noted the current one did not make.  T. Hanson said the event scheduled make not be unique enough to the convention location to be of interest.  Other members suggested perhaps people were unsure about paying in advance and a suggestion was made that it could work better on a different night.  Members agreed that about $30 was o.k. but mostly probably would not pay much more.  T. Hanson asked if it filled a need rather than being a tradition.  R. Olsen suggested similar social interactions can instead by done through receptions.  D. Phillips said the event could be good for new members and W. Hajjar said it fills a need for some people.  R. Olsen suggested maybe a less expensive event that may fill those needs—maybe two ways of deciding: as before with bigger cost (like the $30) or more focused on being a social event with lower cost.  W. Hajjar suggested maybe dinner as alternatively available so people could choose to go but at a lower cost.

Final points from chair: committee meeting Sunday at 8 a.m. with plans for R. Olsen to attend, and daylight saving time change tonight for tomorrow’s on-time plans.

Vice chair Emmett Winn reported that submissions this year resulted in six panels consisting of 15 competitive papers, one roundtable discussion and a Vice-President’s Spotlight panel featuring Jim Carnes, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance Program—all combined the panels represented participation of 31 Pop Comm members.  The vice chair also noted that the J. Carnes session was at a difficult time on the program, so handouts from the session were passed out.  Winn thanked paper reviewers R. Olsen, M. Eaves, C. Klein, T. DeMars, T. Hanson, J. A. Hendricks, D. Phillips, L. Sells, K. Golombisky, and S. Brinson.
Next, Winn reported that the top student paper for 2003 went to Jason Phillips of The University of Memphis for his paper "Slippery When Political: A Contextual and Historical Analysis of MTV."  The top faculty paper goes to Joshua Gunn of LSU for "On the Apocalyptic Uncanny: Haunting Crisis Consumption, and the Spectral Voices of 9/11."  Winn then noted that both winners will receive certificates at this year’s awards luncheon.

W. Hajjar commended E. Winn for doing a great job with the program. 

T. DeMars next gave a secretary / web editor’s report.  An attempt had been made to do a traditional mail-out newsletter, but there was minimal response in a request for content and the financial (postage and copies) issue hindered the attempt as well.  Future newsletter content may be more focused on e-mail that would point to content on the web site, including the idea of sending to non-division/non SSCA members with an invitation to join.  R. Olsen suggested adding current Pop Comm members to a list serve then giving them the choice to opt out if they chose.  The group agreed that a web-based newsletter would be more practical and useful and the traditional mail-out newsletter approach would not be a high priority.

E. Winn then noted in a nominating committee report that Ken Cissna is the new SSCA VP-elect and then reported the two new NCA representatives from SSCA.  It was also reported that a change had been made where the immediate past president will begin handling chair duties of this committee.  The question was raised of whether Pop Comm should follow this approach for its nominating committee chair.  W. Hajjar said that should be an issue for the by-laws committee to address.

D’silva then opened the floor for officer nominations and explained the duties of the positions.  R. Olsen nominated Debbie Phillips as vice chair elect.  Seconded by T. Hanson.  Hanson moved to accept by acclamation.  D’Silva called for vote and Phillips was selected.  E. Winn then explained the responsibilities of the nominating committee chair.  D. Phillips nominated Wendy Hajjar.  E. Winn seconded.  Nominations closed.  Hajjar selected.  R. Olsen nominated Tony DeMars to remain as secretary and web editor (DeMars is in first year of two-year secretary office).  W. Hajjar seconded.  Nominations closed.  DeMars selected.

Reports:  D. Phillips suggested a planing meeting at the upcoming Popular Culture convention based on animal culture research she has been working on, plus possible other planning among Pop Comm members who may be there.  W. Hajjar noted that Mass Comm was trying to come up with ideas—trying to boost undergraduate participation, and maybe Pop Comm should discuss this also.  Discussion followed.  R. Olsen said he was interested in looking into certain themes (sports, fatherhood, film, etc.) for the Tampa convention.

E. Winn thanked M. D’silva for her service as chair.

The meeting adjourned at 8:59 a.m.

_________________________________________
Tony DeMars
Associate Professor
School of Public Communication
123 Dan Rather Communication Building
P.O. Box 207
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX  77341-2207