MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Lyman L. Johnson
Preparations for our annual meeting in Washington are now nearly complete. Under the leadership of Erick Langer, the Program Committee has produced an excellent program. Those of you planning to attend will find the rich diversity of our organization's current research interests represented in this program. I want to thank Erick and his committee for their thoroughness, hard work and fairness in constructing a program that represents our field so well.
I would like to call your attention to two ballots included with this Newsletter. The first is for the election of our Vice President / President Elect and two new members for the General Committee. Stuart Schwartz and the other members of the Nominating Committee have done an exemplary job in recruiting candidates for this election, and I urge you to cast your vote. In addition, we are presenting to you a ballot for the amendment of the CLAH constitution. This ballot, if approved, will formalize the relationship between CLAH and H-LATAM. I am sure that many of you are both CLAH members and subscribers of H-LATAM. I feel that H-LATAM provides a wonderful opportunity for Latin American historians to exchange opinions, disseminate information, and ask for assistance. I believe H-LATAM to be an important part of our future professional development. During Donna Guy's term as CLAH president, the two organizations agreed to develop formal relationship. The constitutional amendments submitted to you are the results of a long period of negotiation and careful consideration. I urge you to vote in favor of the proposed amendments. I want to thank Susan Socolow who led the CLAH effort and Jackie Kent of
H-LATAM for their initiative and perseverance. Without the efforts of Susan and Jackie, we would not be able to take this important step forward.
Susan Socolow and Jackie Kent have also been working to update the CLAH homepage and to find a way to deliver the Newsletter electronically. The electronic delivery of the Newsletter has proven to be a much more difficult task than we had first assumed. Hardware limitations at the university servers of CLAH members have presented particular difficulties. The Secretariat and elected CLAH leadership have decided to pursue electronic delivery via the homepage rather than via e-mail as a short-term solution.
I am happy to report that our organization enjoys excellent financial health. This, of course, is in part due to the recent performance of endowment investments. We need to continue to build these endowments in anticipation of our growing needs. In particular, I urge you to consider making a gift to one of our prize funds. CLAH provides research and travel support for graduate students in addition to our funding of scholarly prizes. This is a way for us to invest in the future of our field.
This is my last communication to you as President of CLAH. Following the Washington meeting, Susan Socolow will assume the presidency. I would like to thank some of those who have made my term enjoyable and satisfying. Paul Dosal and Ward Stavig have provided leadership and careful guidance during their terms as CLAH Executive Secretary at the University of South Florida. Sandy Kruzel has done a wonderful job managing the Secretariat's day to day operations. Finally, I want to thank all of you who have served as CLAH committee members.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve our professional organization for the last two years.
