PHILOSOPHY of EDUCATION SOCIETY

General Business Meeting

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Philosophy of Education

General Business Meeting

April 21, 2002

Officers and Committee Chairs present:   Stengel, Houston, Applebaum, Schrag, Haroutunian-Gordon, Ford, Stone, Katz, Rice, Bai, Diller

Number of members present: 30

1 Call to Order - Barbara Houston

2. Approval of minutes of 2001 Business Meeting.

         Floden moved approval of the minutes;  Thayer-Bacon seconded.  The motion passed.
 

3. Announcements:

Ann Diller announced that Fran Schrag had been selected by the Election Committee as President-Elect, that Kathy Hytten would be the new Executive Secretary, that Michael Katz was elected to the Board and that Debby Kerdeman was elected to COPA.

These announcements were met with enthusiastic applause and quite a few whoops and hollers.

      New Fellows approved

Barbara Houston congratulated Daniel Vokey on his approval as a PES Fellow.   (She also slipped in a reminder to submit papers/responses to Scott Fletcher, Program Chair.)
 

4. President's Report  - Barbara Houston

Houston offered a formal report thanking all those involved in making the conference a success, to the cheers of the assembled members.  [See attached report.]    She also recognized outgoing Executive Secretary Barbara Stengel with very generous, even lavish, praise;   Stengel was suitably abashed, though also appreciative.
 

5. Executive Secretary's Report - Barb Stengel

Stengel noted that the PES policy re the use of AV equipment (i.e. that 50% of the cost of AV equipment should be borne by the presenters) has been largely ignored.   She warned that it will be enforced in the future, particularly by being stated in the Call for Papers.  Stone

  I       nvestment committee

The Executive Board approved the formation of an Investment Committee to help the Executive Secretary plan to achieve financial security.   Interested members may approach Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon about serving.

      Dues increase

The Executive Board approved a new dues structure based on annual income, regardless of rank or employment.

      Income under $30,000     $30 dues
        under $40,000                  40
        under $50,000                  50
        under $60,000                  60
        under $70,000                  70
        over $69,999                    80

      Returned checks/credit cards declined

Stengel noted an increase in numbers of returned checks and credit cards declined and asked members to keep the Executive Secretary informed about payment issues.
 

6. Ed Theory/Yearbook Reports -   Diane Beckett

Nick told Diane to tell everybody that Ed Theory is OK, financially and otherwise.   So is the Yearbook.
 

7. Call for Reports from Committee Chairs as needed

      Hospitality Committee - Heesoon Bai and Ann Chinnery

 No report.  (But the conference was great).

      Program Committee - Scott Fletcher

Houston read the Fletcher report.     She noted acknowledgements and papers accepted rate - 34/81  (41%).
Stone noted that submissions were down from two years ago and asked that we track submissions to be sure that lower submissions rates are not a problem.  Boyea suggested that some of the drop may be linked to 9/11.

      COPA - Lynda Stone

The minutes reflect some decisions make in past years regarding efforts that COPA should "shepherd," particularly related to the Resolution of the "Millenial Group" regarding the involvement of philosophers of education in broader educational environments.   Stone asked the membership to provide some response to what they wanted COPA to do for the organization.

Laird was recognized and suggested that COPA shift the focus from accountability issues (as approved last year) toward education for non-violence.

Siegel proposed that the incoming President (Haroutunian-Gordon) appoint a committee to examine the role of COPA and report back so that COPA's role can constitute an action item at next year's meeting.   Cunningham seconded.     In discussion, Ford noted that the various ideas on the table were not mutually compatible.  The motion passed.

Stone suggested that COPA can continue past initiatives (e.g. plan PES programs at other conferences) but may also continue efforts to explore alternate possibilities.   Phillips suggested that virtually every year people have been puzzled about COPA's role so maybe the role of the committee should be to examine the point of COPA anyway and see whether it works.   He indicated his own view that COPA should have a slightly broader charge.    Schrag asked whether it makes any sense to ask PES to speak with one voice, especially since PES has a significant focus on diversity.    Katz expressed a hope that COPA might address the loss of positions in various institutions, working to maintain philosophy of education at those institutions.   Boyea remembers a few years where COPA gave the impression of knowing what it was doing, but suggested that now the organization feels very differently about COPA (i.e. somewhat lethargic).

      COSW - Maureen Ford

Ford reported that the activities of the Commission were successful during this conference.   The session on mentoring was well-received and the luncheon was well-attended.    Minutes of the mentoring session will be distributed to all on the COSW list-serv.   (If anybody wants to be involved, please contact Ford at OISE.)

Ford publicly thanked Heesoon Bai for arranging for the lunch meeting.  At that lunch meeting, issues related to COSW's future direction were explored.   Ford announced that Gayle Turner will be the new COSW Chair.

      CSFE - Steve Tozer and John Covaleskie
 

No report.

      Jobs for Philosophers - Barbara Applebaum

Applebaum thanked the members of the committee for their role in preparing a session for the conference focused on how to prepare philosophers of education to teach foundations of education.

      Membership Committee - Michael Katz

Katz noted that the Membership Committee met on Saturday and decided that the Committee should take a proactive stance toward recruiting new members, including:
  1.  urge all members to recruit one new member this year;
  2.  identify membership of regional societies and recruit;
  3.  Duarte will attempt to get web links up in appropriate places;
  4.  "poach" at AESA (where Bredo is President).
 The goal is 50 new members for next year.

      Ad Hoc Committee for Ethics in the Education Professions - Michael Katz

There still is an Ethics SIG, working to get on other programs.   Thirteen members attended a Saturday morning meeting.    This is different from the Ad Hoc Committee that was created under Nick Burbules' tenure as President.    The Committee focused on the publication of  appropriate books linking law and ethics, perhaps a different book for Canadian and US audiences  Applebaum volunteered to gather ethics/morality syllabi, and will collaborate with Cunningham to post syllabi on the website.
 

8. Old Business

9. New Business

10. Resolutions Committee  - Michael Katz, Natasha Levenson

The group applauded the quality of the resolutions.
 

11. Passing of the Gavel - from Barbara Houston to Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon

Haroutunian-Gordon noted the goodwill of the society and her gratitude for the support that the Society offers to us all.
 

12. Announcement of site, Program Chair for 2003 conference

Next year's meeting will be held in Miami, due to the efforts of Harvey Siegel.  Haroutunian-Gordon noted that she was particularly interested in going to Miami because she hopes to continue dialogue on diversity at the conference.    She noted that Miami has lived through population changes and will provide an excellent backdrop for our deliberations.   Siegel described the hotel where we will be meeting and suggested that all will want to plan to attend (for reasons that will go unmentioned here).

Some issues were raised about the cost of the Miami hotel ($159 per nite).   Specifically, it was asked that efforts be made to locate cheaper hotels located in close proximity to the conference hotel and that grad students be encouraged to attend..  Alexander suggested that the Society subsidize those who can't afford to participate.   Stengel suggested that we do not, at the present time, have the resources to help more than we already do.   Feinberg noted that perhaps un- and underemployed faculty members be given the same consideration as grad students.    Ford suggested that, for future reference, we consider the systemic issues that make it difficult for various folks to participate in the current economy and address these in a more consistent way for future planning.   Phillips asked that we let the Executive Board make the appropriate decisions.     Katz interjected his view that PES can insure maximum participation by selecting attractive city sites.
 

The Program Chair will be Kal Alston.  (Applause)    Kal asked that all let her know if they are willing to be a session chair.
 
 

13. Announcement of new Committee Chairs/plans for 2002-2003

Haroutunian-Gordon was not ready to release a complete list but will do so in the July Update.

Haroutunian-Gordon asked for a motion to adjourn.    Members moved, seconded and voted yes by getting up and leaving.
 

Respectfully submitted,
 
 

Barbara S. Stengel
Executive Secretary
 
 

Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society has enjoyed a conference characterized by stimulating papers and thoughtful responses, by wonderful guest speakers, and creative, colorful, and interesting alternative sessions, whereas this conference has displayed once again the range of talent and diversity typical of our members, be it resolved that the Society expresses it appreciation to Scott Fletcher, and his entire hard working Program Committee for their outstanding work, their excellent judgment, and their aesthetic intuitions in putting together such a wonderful program as they have.

Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society has enjoyed the beauties, joys, and charms of the magnificent city of Vancouver and the wonderful food, hospitality and thoughtfulness of a fabulous hotel at The Coast Plaza and Suites - with their courteous reciprocal relationship with the universe also insured that we had uncommonly good weather throughout, be it resolved that the Society expresses it deep sense of thanks and abiding sense of gratitude to Heesoon Bai and the members of the Arrangements and Hospitality Committee.
 

Whereas the day-to-day business of the Philosophy of Education Society is conducted by the Executive Secretary and whereas the functioning and reputation of the society depends in no small measure upon this person's competence, "moral responsibility," ad "dedication," and whereas Barbara Stengel has not only performed this position for three years in a way that has brought honor and distinction to this office, but also in a way that has exceeded minimal obligations and displayed supererogatory virtue, be it resolved that the Society express its heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Barbara for a job exceptionally well done and may she experience all of the joy and liberation that past Executive Secretaries have experienced, myself included, on passing on the mantel of responsibility to a new person - for whom we now give prayerful thanks on taking this job.

Whereas the Coast Plaza Hotel has provided a luxurious, well-situated, and comfortable environment, has provided a high quality of service to both the officers of the Society and others, and has done all of the small and large things necessary to make the members stay a very enjoyable one, be it resolved that the Society Expresses its appreciation to both the management and the workers of the Hotel for making our stay so pleasant.

Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society recognizes its members cannot do their work without the publications of others and acknowledges the value of having new work brought to our attention, be it resolves that the book display coordinator Shulamit Gribov receive the Society's sincere appreciation for their work.

Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society recognizes that its continued existence and good order depend on the actual implementation of their ideas, on responsible and thoughtful correspondence, on administrative competence, and fairness in judgement of articles, be it resolved that the Society expresses its appreciation to Diane Beckett, Dianna Dummett, and Tim Simpson of Educational Theory for their continuing good work on Educational Theory and the Society's annual yearbook.
 

Whereas Audrey Thompson has served the duration of a two year term on the Executive Board with great distinction - continuing the University of Illinois - University of Utah axis of good, not evil, and bringing honor to herself and to her institution, be it resolved that the Philosophy of Education Society expresses its sincere appreciation, releasing her for missionary service elsewhere.

Whereas high quality scholarship and stimulating dialogue require, to some extent, strong institutional support, be it resolved that the Philosophy of Education Society express their thanks to the following institutions for their continued supports and belief in the value of philosophy of education:

Simon Fraser University School of Education

University of New Hampshire Department of Education

Millersville University School of Education
 

CONTACT: PES Executive Director Jeff Milligan
850-644-8171; milligan@coe.fsu.edu