Minutes of the Business Meeting of the Edith Wharton Society.
December 29, 2001 – MLA, New Orleans
The meeting was called to order at 12:15 p.m. by Julie Olin-Ammentorp, Vice
President of the Edith Wharton Society. She reminded those present of the upcoming panel on “Wharton and Writers of War” which followed this convening.
The first order of business was update on upcoming all Wharton conference in Roehampton, England, scheduled for July 2003. In the wake of recent events and the absence of Janet Beer from England to this MLA, we have not been actively pursuing its organization. Julie said she would look into situation and resume arrangements.
Carole Shaffer-Koros then gave the Treasurer’s Report. A detailed listing of debits and credits was passed out to all. Because of our successful conference at Newport, we have a decent cushion to put toward our next all Wharton conference. Our biggest expense is the Wharton Reviewwhich varies between $800-1000. Expenses for the journal are kept down because Kean University pays for domestic postage. ( Society only pays for foreign addresses.)
Carole voiced concerned though about renewal of membership which has dropped considerably and has resulted in more than 200 people being temporarily dropped from mailing list. We discussed various ways to both prevent a recurrence and to get back those now delinquent. It was decided that Dale Flynn be contacted to send out individual renewals notices to those now in jeopardy of being permanently dropped. The possibility that individuals notices of renewal should sent to all each year by circulation editor was also considered.
Nominations to the Edith Wharton Executive Board as new members-at-large followed. Elected were Harriet Gold and Irene Goldman-Price.
Proposals for next year’s MLA panels in New York were then submitted: “Edith Wharton and the Provocations of Philosophy” by Frederick Wegener and “Ambivalence of Place: The New Yorks of Edith Wharton” by Annette Zilversmit. Since these were the only two topics were offered, those present decided both should be offered and moderated by those who proposed them. A call for papers will be announced in the Spring Newsletter of MLA.
The meeting concluded at 1: 30 p.m..
Respectfully submitted,
Annette Zilversmit ( in lieu of Donna Campbell)
The Edith Wharton Society 