Executive Meeting (1998)

Present: Robert Merrett, Marie Laure Girou Swiderski, Benoît Melançon, Ray Stephanson, Alex Sokalski, Christa Fell, Eleanor Ty.

1. Conference President's Report

Robert Merrett presented the Operating Budget for the Edmonton conference. He pointed out some of the unforeseen expenditures such as the hotel's charging tips based on the amount including GST, the charges for audio-visual presentations, etc. He stressed the importance of applying to SSHRC for funding: the Edmonton conference ranked 6th out of 30 applicants and was awarded a $10,000 grant. He acknowledged the generosity of a number of offices and people for financial support as well as gifts of flowers, advertising, coffee breaks, etc. The total budget came to around $36,000.

There were a total of 148 registrants, including 25 graduate students paid by SSHRC. In lieu of an honorarium, Rob bought the airline ticket for Michel Baridon's wife. The other plenary speaker, Beatrice Fink will receive $650. There is an all-inclusive fee being charged for the conference, and Rob wanted the opinion of the Executive on this. He believes that in the future, we would rely more and more on electronic communication and Websites instead of regular mail for organizational purposes. He is confident that the conference will break even.

2. President's Report

Marie Laure Girou Swiderski congratulated Rob Merrett on behalf of the Executive. She reminded us that the Federation had asked her for names of members whose research could be publicized, especially interdisciplinary ones.

3. Secretary-Treasurer's Report

Eleanor Ty presented the Financial Statements for the year which showed a decline in membership, though not in money because we charged slightly higher dues this year. There appears to be a surplus in this year's budget, but this is because the Lumen production is three years behind schedule, and we anticipate expenditures in the near future for 1995, 96, 97 volumes. She noted that the SSHRC grants were declining, and was not sure if there would be another competition for scholarly associations. We have now been designated as a Charity, and she asked members of the Executive for ideas to raise funds.

4. Lumen: Executive Editor's report

Alex Sokalski reported that from Jan. 97 to 30 June 98 Lumen earned $963.99 in reprint fees. There was an article by Kenneth Graham which was reprinted, and the Executive voted to split the fee 50/50 with the author. We continue to have around $7,500 in Guaranteed Investment Certificate, and some $3,740 in the chequing account.

Katherine Quinsey's volume XVI is not yet complete, but Carol Gibson-Wood's volume XVII is in good state. Alex mentioned that there might be a problem with the delays.

5. Bulletin: Editors' report

Ray Stephanson reported that the expenditures for the Bulletin have been kept down due to the contribution made by University of Saskatchewan. This year it costs us $700, and by next year, it may come down to $600.

Benoît Melançon announced that he was stepping down as Electronic / French Bulletin Editor, and that the job would be taken over by Thierry Belleguic. He would still maintain the Website, and keep a close eye on postings. The Executive very much appreciated his work over the last three years and hoped he would continue to be involved.

6. Future Conferences

Benoît Melançon announced a tentative title of "Images des Lumières / Images of the Enlightenment" for the Montreal conference next year. He hoped to attract interdisciplinary scholars and from those outside of the eighteenth-century period. Some of his colleagues, such as Bill Kinsley, Daniel Dumouchel, Anne Richardot, and John Dickinson, may be involved in the organization. He has begun to look into funding for the conference, and has approached various offices.

2000--John Baird, University of Toronto

2001--University of Saskatchewan

2002--Université Laval

2003--Jane Rush, McMaster University (tentative offer / proposition)

7. New Executive

There were three new positions to be filled: (i) Other Languages, (ii) History, Politics, and Economics, (iii) ISECS representative. The Executive did not immediately decide on a slate of names, but felt that Marie Laure could continue to be ISECS representative for the next year.

8. Madoff Prize

No names selected.

9. ISECS-ASECS-CFH

We have submitted Benoît's name to ISECS for candidacy on the executive.

There was no CSECS representative present at the last ASECS meeting.

CFH: no report.

10. AOB

(i) Charitable status: Robert Merrett volunteered to work on fund raising after June 1999. We agreed to add a line to the Dues form for Charitable donations.

Submitted by: Eleanor Ty

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