14 JULY 2010 HGSA MEETING MINUTES

Meeting held at the Bonner Room, Faculty Administration building, beginning at 4 p.m.

Attending: Prof. Faue (faculty advisor), Beth Fowler (co-vp education), David Hopkins (co-vp social), Barry Johnson, Peter McGrath (vp treasurer), Tim Moran (president), Errin Stegich (vp administration), Maria Wendeln (co-vp education)

Report of the VP Admin: Errin asks the HGSA to send her items to post on the new HGSA Blogspot site. Information can be sent to hgsa.wsu@gmail.com and she will post it up rapidly.

Errin also asks that any HGSA-related pictures be forwarded to her as well as the HGSA officer brief-bios to be posted on the HGSA site. If individuals have snapshots or camera shots from, or of, HGSA events or people, please send them to her.

The social media site www.academia.edu was mentioned as a resource. To participate, individuals must have an academic email address, which limits the membership more than does Facebook.

At Barry’s suggestion, a page on the HGSA blog site will be dedicated to technical tips and thoughts regarding information technology issues at Wayne; these will include such things as data backup suggestions, locations where wireless service can be had, key contact points for IT, and the like.

Report of the Co-VPs, Education: Maria reported that several abstracts have already been received for the HGSA panel at the North American Labor History Conference. More would be good to have.

Prof. Williams’s powerpoint on writing will be made available to HGSA for a presentation we might make to members. The powerpoint was already presented once in spring, but many of the HGSA were not able to attend.

A reprise of last year’s useful “Comps Workshop” is being promoted for early October this year. The intent is to have the event nailed down to a calendar date so that new graduate students at the Aug. 26 orientation can be informed of it. Maria will meet with Gayle to schedule a beneficial date.

A Professional Development workshop is being contemplated for February. Inviting recent doctoral graduates of the department to share tactics and techniques for current grad students to use is one potential focus.

Maria has been in contact with Cindy at the library to work out a history-specific presentation at the Purdy-Kresge so that “hidden” assets there can be explained to graduate students. Date is not certain, but the probability is that a conference room at the Undergraduate Library will be reserved for a presentation some time in Fall term.

Report of the Treasurer and discussion on fundraising: Peter McGrath will try to meet with Elizabeth to discuss the handoff of treasurer’s duties.

Fundraising items were discussed; the HGSA has ordered 100 double-handled cloth bags with the new logo on them. These are similar to the reusable shopping bags offered at grocery and convenience stores. They should be available by the time the orientation session happens. The bags will sell for $5; HGSA members will try to distribute as many as possible.

Bookmarks were discussed by Maria as one possible fundraising item; several were shown as possibilities. She will bring more information. Tabled until next meeting.

A book sale was discussed. Prof. Kruman has informed Tim that several boxes of books are still available, and suggested that faculty members might contribute other volumes. Tabled until next meeting.

Peter McGrath suggested that staffing a concession stand at a Detroit Tigers’ game might be a possibility. The Tigers organization often allows groups to operate a stand, from which they receive a portion of the proceeds. Pete will bring back more information for the next meeting.

HGSA will hold another bake sale early in the Fall term. This is not so much for fundraising (the last bake sale netted about $300) but for building camaraderie and acquainting HGSA members with one another in a service environment.

Report of the co-VP for social activities: David was attending his first meeting. HGSA members agreed we will congregate at Alvin’s following the Orientation activity on Aug. 26, and will encourage new students, old students, and faculty, to come join us to meet and mingle, building a feeling of acceptance and collegiality.

New Business: We discussed the after-effects of the Online Teaching presentation made in spring this year. The presentation was made in such a way that the Department was surprised to receive proposals regarding Online courses. On the other hand, graduates will undoubtedly need to deal with teaching Online. In consultation with Prof. Faue, HGSA will begin a very informal Discussion Session regarding Online and the changes and needs that are likely to face new teaching professionals. These sessions will not attempt to push any agenda, but will be for information and sharing.

Miscellaneous: The History Department softball team has a great record this season. They will play their next game on Wednesday evening, July 21, on Trumbull Field at 6:15. Support would be appreciated.

There is a weekly Trivia League at Lefty’s, on Cass, at 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday. HGSA members are encouraged to attend; several already make that a regular activity.

Barry mentioned that the Humanities Center will do brown-bag presentations regarding HNET.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be at 4 p.m. on either Tuesday, Aug. 17, or Wednesday, Aug. 18, depending on schedules related to the “study day” on Aug. 18.