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, April 4, 2003

President Ballard Campbell called the Council Meeting of the Society for Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era to order at 5:50 p.m., April 4, 2003, at the Memphis Marriott in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to President Campbell, Northeastern University, the following SHGAPE Council and other Members attended the meeting: Vice President Donna Gabaccia, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Secretary-Treasurer Roger D. Bridges, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center;

Council Members Professors; Nancy C. Unger, Santa Clara University; JGAPE Editor, Maureen Flanagan, Michigan State University; Kriste Lindenmeyer, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Past President Walter Nugent, University of Notre Dame; non Council members present included; Robert W. Cherny, San Francisco State University; Charles W. Calhoun, East Carolina University; Membership Chair, Raymond “Skip” Hyser, James Madison University; H-SGAPE Editorial Board Chair Jacqueline Moore, Austin College; H-SHGAPE Book Review Editor Philip VanderMeer, Arizona State University; and Shannon Parsley, American University, Michael Pierce, University of Arkansas.

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Following self introductions, Professor Walter Nugent moved approval, of the Minutes of January 4, 2002. Professor Philip VanderMeer seconded the motion; it passed unanimously.

Professor VanderMeer moved and Professor Kriste Lindenmeyer seconded the approval of the JGAPE Executive Committee that Alan Lessof be named editor of the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. The Council approved unanimously.

There was considerble discussion of the role that the SHGAPE might play in the appointment of the new Executive Director of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in the light of the pending retirement of Roger D. Bridges who currently is Secretary-Treasurer of the SHGAPE. It was agreed that President Campbell be authorized to consult with the Hayes Presidential Center search committee and offer any assistance it deemed appropriate. In addition, he was authorized, if he deemed it acceptable, to appoint the new Executive Director of the Presidential Center Secretary-Treasurer, pending the action of the Council.

The Council then discussed the gift made by Professor Vincent DeSantis and the Council, by unanimous consent agreed that it, and similar gifts, be placed in an informal endowment fund. The Council agreed that it would be well to encourage donations to the Society.

Professor Maureen Flanagan, editor of the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, reported that the Journal subscriptions and advertising sales made it possible for the Journal to meet expenses. She reported that the April issue was at the printer. She also filed a written report with further details and information. It was also agreed that the editorial board should be increased to eighteen members.

Vice President Donna Gabaccia reported that she had organized panels, and others had been proposed, for upcoming meetings. All agreed that it was a good practice for the SHGAPE to continue sponsoring graduate panels.

Membership Committee Chair, Raymond “Skip” Hyser reported that he will be working to increase membership. This will be done through mailings and invitations to appropriate paper presenters to join the organization. There was some discussion about other ways to increase membership. Alan Lessof agreed to consult with Western Publishing about ways to increase membership by securing online subscription/memberships.

President Campbell named Professor VanderMeer to the nominating committee. Professor Patrick Reagan was appointed to remain as webmaster and an webmaster-editor for H-SHGAPE and President Campbell reappointed as an H-SHGAPE for the newsgroup.

The meeting then adjourned to the reception that followed immediately.

Respectfully Submitted

Roger D. Bridges

Secretary