President Peter Argersinger called the Council Meeting of the Society for Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era to order at 5:35 p.m., April 20, 2006, in the Edison Room of the Washington Hilton. In addition to President Peter Argersinger, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, the following SHGAPE Council and other Members attended the meeting: Vice President Jack Blocker, Huron University College, University of Western Ontario; temporary Secretary Roger D. Bridges, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center emeritus; temporary Treasurer, Phil VanderMeer, Arizona State University; Charles W. Calhoun, East Carolina University; H-SHGAPE Editorial Board Chair Jacqueline Moore, Austin College; Rebecca Edwards, Vassar College, Ballard Campbell, Northeastern University; Edward Rafferty, Boston University; Walter Nugent, Notre Dame University; Donna Gabaccia, University of Minnesota; Nina Mjagkij, Ball State University; Gordon Bakken; California State University, Fullerton; Joseph “Andy” Fry, University of Nevada at Los Vegas; and Steve J. Gerber, Burlington High School, Burlington, WI.
Professor VanderMeer moved acceptance of the Minutes of January 6, 2006, with the correction of the typographical error in spelling of Champaign, Ill., and noting the presence of Ruth Crocker; Professor Mjagkij seconded, passed with correction.
President Argersinger announced the appointment of David Blanke, chair of the Article Prize. He also announced that Worth Robert Miller and Michael Trotti would compose that committee. Nancy Unger will assume responsibility for soliciting Book Reviewers
Acting Treasurer Phil VanderMeer, reported that because of the Society’s 501 (c) (3), status it does not have to file federal income tax. He reported that the Society had a total income of $21,132.25 and expenses of $15,499.01 for the 2005 calendar year. He recommended the adoption of a balanced budget for the 2006 calendar year (copy to be filed). He announced that the Endowment Fund Balance of $6,629.11 as of March 31, 2006. Jack Blocker moved the adoption of a $20,000 budget for calendar year 2006, seconded by Gordon Bakken, carried unanimously.
Gordon Bakken moved That the Treasurer be authorized to transfer Endowment Fund monies into Certificates of Deposit and that current surplus funds be invested in Certificates of Deposit, or other similar financial instruments, at the discretion of the Treasurer with the advice of the Executive Committee. Rebecca Edwards seconded the motion; carried unanimously.
In other matters, VanderMeer reported that the storage of back issues of the Journal had created storage problems at the Hayes Presidential Center. It was suggested that ten copies of each number be saved and that others be made available at a reduced cost and the remainder destroyed. The number of Lifetime Members and Institutional members has increased over the past year.
It was announced that Newsletter David Blanke has resigned as editor. Peter Argersinger moved that the Council express its appreciation and thanks to David Blanke for his fine work on the Newsletter. Jackie Moore seconded the motion; carried unanimously.
In the absence of Alan Lessoff, currently in Turkey, the report for the Journal was distributed and a copy to be filed.
Reporting for the H-SHGAPE Editorial Board Jackie Moore said her work had been heavier than in previous years. She announced that Patrick Reagan had stepped down as webmaster and that C. Wyatt Evans has assumed those responsibilities. The Council approved the Board’s plans for a substantial revamping of the web page. The council approved a formal resolution of thanks to Patrick Reagan for his work as Webmaster.
Phil VanderMeer announced that he will be leaving the position of Web Book Review master. Peter Argersinger moved and Rebecca Edwards seconded a resolution of thanks for VanderMeer’s work. The new Book Review Editor will be James Ivy.
Edward Rafferty has accepted the position as Newsletter editor.
Peter Argersinger moved that the Constitution and By-Laws be amended in accordance with the proposals of the ad hoc committee on organizational structure, thereby establishing the separate positions of Secretary and Treasurer, specifying their duties, and providing for their election. Council approved unanimously, and in a separate vote of all SHGAPE members present at the annual meeting, the amendments were approved.
Peter Argersinger moved and Jackie Moore seconded resolution that the Article Prize be named for Leslie H. Fishel and Charles C. Calhoun and that a Distinguished Service Award be established and named for Roger D. Bridges. Resolution carried unanimously. President Argersinger will appoint an ad hoc committee to consider possible uses of the Endowment Fund, including the establishment of additional prizes.
The Council adjourned at 7:00 p.m. to attend the SHGAPE reception held elsewhere in the Hotel.
Respectfully Submitted
Roger D. Bridges
Acting Secretary
Return to the SHGAPE Home Page