HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 1998 SPRING PAA BOARD MEETING

By Elizabeth Hervey Stephen, Secretary-Treasurer

The PAA Board of Directors met on April 1 in Chicago and considered a range of issues.

President Anne Pebley announced the appointments to the PAA Awards Committee: Valerie Oppenheimer, Chair; Ronald Lee and Jennifer Madans, Committee Members. The President advised the Board that appointments to the PAA Fund Committee would be made shortly and welcomed suggestions.

President Pebley discussed improving services provided to international members. The subject arose after Past President Karen Mason contacted IUSSP because the IUSSP ballot was received by U.S. members very late, and in some instances after the deadline for voting. Anne Pebley noted that she has asked the International Outreach Committee to look into the relationship between PAA and IUSSP and report at the October 1998 Board Meeting. Currently PAA has no official connection with IUSSP, however, the International Outreach Committee is interested in strengthening ties between PAA and other international demographic organizations.

President Pebley introduced the 1998 Chair of the PAA Finance Committee, Michael White, who presented the report of the Finance Committee. Michael White distributed a written report and chart representing the 1997 Revenue and Expenses. It was also noted that there have been additional costs for hiring temporary staff to assist with the increased workload in the PAA office, due in part to the production of the Directory of Members, the database conversion and the Annual Meeting. Anne Pebley discussed the extra hours that the two PAA staff members work, and noted that the workload does not substantially decrease after the Annual Meeting. President Pebley proposed that a part-time person be hired. This motion was carried.

Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Stephen presented the three-year strategic financial plan. There was discussion of increased expenditures not included in the plan. Any increases in dues or registration fees will be discussed at the next Board meeting.

Secretary-Treasurer Stephen reported that the dates of the Los Angeles meeting were changed to March 23-25, 2000. By doing so, a room rate of $121 is guaranteed. The change appeared in the Spring 1998 issue of PAA Affairs and is printed on the front page of the Summer 1998 issue. It is also on the PAA web page.

Secretary-Treasurer Stephen presented a foundation report update. The Hewlett Foundation provides $50,000, for international professional development, public affairs, and congressional briefings. The Mellon Foundation provides $27,000 for LDC travel awards.

President-Elect Andrew Cherlin reported on the 1999 Annual Meeting. He and Cynthia Lloyd, Co-Chairs of the Program Committee, have established an organizing committee consisting of members from Johns Hopkins University and the Population Council. The Call for Suggestions has been mailed and some responses have already been received. Emily Rosenbaum has been named Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee.

There was discussion of the number of sessions and the possibility of adding an additional poster session at the 1999 Annual Meeting. Andrew Cherlin commended Anne Pebley and RAND for the organization of the 1998 Annual Meeting.

The Public Affairs Committee report was presented by Beth Soldo, Chair and Anne Harrison-Clark, Consultant. The report included the testimony submitted by PAA and APC to the U. S. Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. The Committee continues its focus on the four major areas of interest, determined by the PAA Board: National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Bureau of the Census and USAID's international population research programs. It was noted that due to strong presidential and congressional support, the budget for non-defense related research may double in the next ten years.

There was extensive discussion of U. S. Census Bureau and Census 2000. Andrew Cherlin, who was among the participants in a day of meetings on February 25, 1998, with congressional staff, presented an overview of the meetings.

Anne Harrison-Clark reported that there are some opportunities for input relating to demographic social behavioral research. One is a new science policy group that is trying to determine the direction that U.S. non-defense related science research should take. Beth Soldo reported that the Public Affairs Committee is developing plans for a congressional seminar on Economic Development and Women. Funding for this seminar is provided by the Hewlett Foundation for the purpose of educating policy makers. She also discussed the budget shortfall for National Center for Health Statistics. In adjusted dollars the budget for NCHS should be $122 million; the President's budget is for $86 million. Most of the shortfall will come out of the birth and death certificates capacities. A motion that the PAA Board consider adding NCHS as one of the major areas of interest was carried.

Omer Galle, Chair of the Publications Committee, and Elizabeth Evans, Advisor on Electronic Issues, were introduced. Omer Galle, reported that the term of office for the current PAA Affairs editors expires in 1998 and candidates are being interviewed.

A list of electronic publications issues for PAA was distributed. There was discussion regarding electronic publication of Demography and PAA Affairs and the complexities involved. Issues include start up costs, collecting fees, secure servers and administrative costs. Concern was expressed that LDC scholars may not have access to the web.

There was discussion of the JSTOR agreement. Elizabeth Evans agreed to research the services provided by JSTOR. Anne Pebley further charged the Publications Committee with contacting JSTOR to determine if they could help PAA publish Demography online, and provide recommendations for publishing PAA Affairs electronically. A request was received from a PAA member regarding the inclusion of a question and answer period following the PAA Presidential Address. In order to keep the Presidential Address as brief as possible, a motion passed that the current format be maintained.

The date of the Fall 1998 Board meeting was set for October 23, in Washington, DC.