Society for Historians of the

Gilded Age and Progressive Era

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY FOR HISTORIANS OF THE GILDED AGE AND PROGRESSIVE ERA, January 4, 2001

President Walter Nugent called the Council Meeting of the Society for Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era to order at 5:05 p.m., January 4, 2002, in the Essex Room, Westin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, California. In addition to President Nugent, University of Notre Dame, the following SHGAPE Council and other Members attended the meeting: Vice President Ballard Campbell, Northeastern University; Secretary-Treasurer Roger D. Bridges, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; Council Members Professors; Robert Johnston, Yale University; James J. Connolly, Ball State University; Nancy C. Unger, Santa Clara University; Kriste Lindenbeyer, Ujniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County; Allan Kraut, American University; Thomas Schoonover, University of Louisiana, Lafayette; James Connolly, Ball State University [5:30 p.m]; Newsletter Editor, and Alan Lessoff, Illinois State University. Non Council members present included Professors Donna Gabaccia, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Judy Raftery, Colorado State University; Kathlene Osburn, Tennessee Technological University and past President Michael Les Benedict, The Ohio State University.

Following self introductions, Professor Allan Kraut moved approval of the Minutes of April 27, 2001. Professor Thomas Schoonover seconded the motion; it passed unanimously.

The Council accepted the Treasurer’s report showing a positive cash flow of $8,548.73, and a checkbook balance of $13,242.88 on December 31, 2001, (including a Journal Subsidy for the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center of $10,000), by common consent.

President Nugent announced the following appointments: Kriste Lindenmeyer and Thomas Schoonover to serve on Nominating Committee. Nancy Unger moved to confirm appointments, Allan Kraut seconded, approved by consent.

Ballard Campbell moved, Thomas Schooonover seconded a motion to amend the Bylaws, Article 10, Section b., by striking “and two at-large members of the Society, appointed by the President for two-year terms, which may be renewed.” Passed.

President Nugent announced that Raymond “Skip” Hyser had agree to serve as Membership Chair for two more years.

Ed Crapol moved, Elizabeth Perry second nomination of Katherine Osburn as additional Online

Editor of H-SHGAPE pending approval of H-Net.

Thomas Schoonover moved, Alan Kraut seconded, that SHGAPE endorse the AAUP 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. Adopted by consent.

Ballard Campbell moved, Thomas Schoonover seconded motion that the Secretary-Treasury be authorized to continue selling membership list to publishers of GAPE titles for $50.00 per use.

Ballard Campbell moved, Thomas Schoonover seconded motion that HPC members be allowed to subscribe to JGAPE (Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era) at 25 percent discount. Adopted by consent.

It was accepted by common consent that SHGAPE continue as member of NCC (The National Coordinating Committee) at the $200 level.

President Walter Nugent announced that the incorporation of the SHGAPE as a Texas not-for-profit corporation was finished and that he was proceeding to filed papers to obtain an IRS letter of determination that the SHGAPE was a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation.. The Council expressed its profound thanks to President Nugent for his work.

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Robert Cherny announced that the committee had nominated Donna Gabaccia, Charles H. Stone Professor of History, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, for Vice President, President-Elect; Lloyd Ambrosius, Professor of History, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Ellen M. Litwicki, Associate Professor of History, SUNY College at Fredonia; and Kimberley Phillips, Associate Professor of History and Black Studies, College of William and Mary; to the Council. Secretary-Treasurer Bridges announced that all had been elected by the mail ballot conducted in December. President Walter Nugent appointed Adrian Smith, History Graduate Student at Yale University, to the graduate student seat on the council.

Alan Lessoff reported the usual success with the printing of the Newsletter. Council members present expressed great satisfaction and praise for Lessoff’s work.

JGAPE editor Maureen Flanagan was not present, but her report indicated the Journal was at the printers and she was awaiting page proofs. After considerable discussion, it was decided that all current members of SHGAPE should receive Volume 1, Number 1, of the Journal, but only actual members at the new level thereafter. It was also decided that all membership would be for the calendar year, and that new or renewing members, whenever joining during the year, would receive all Journals for that year, and that renewals would commence with January 1 of each new year. It was reported that the JGAPE website was up and functioning, but that it was a work in progress.

Robert Cherny asked that the Council consider making a statement on the Poulshock book because it was still appearing on bibliographies and could apparently be found in several academic and public libraries. Action on the matter was postponed to a subsequent meeting of the Council.

There was some discussion of whom to invite as Distinguished Speaker. By common consent after several names were put forward that the Council would leave the matter in the hands of the distinguished committee.

The meeting then adjourned to the reception immediately

Respectfully Submitted

Roger D. Bridges

Secretary