Business Meeting of the Midwest Philosophy of Education

November 11, 2005

Richard Pipan, President, MPES, presiding. National Louis University, November 11, 2005, 4:30-5:30. Allan Johnston, Secretary.

Meeting started with a greeting and thanks to Alex Makedon for energizing the process of tending to matters concerning MPES. Patrick Roberts was also thanked for his gracious offering of National Louis University as the site for this year's meeting.

BUSINESS ISSUES:

1) 2006 MPES MEETING SITE. Patrick Roberts has offered National-Louis University as the site for next year's conference. This offer has been accepted. Charlie Blatz also offered facilities at the University of Toledo via e-mail. His offer should be acknowledged. Having Toledo available gives an "in addition" possibility instead of an "instead of" possibility. The possibility of holding meetings at different institutions throughout the Midwest was raised, and generally it was agreed that holding meetings at other venues in other cities and states is a good idea.

2) NEW TREASURER. Scott Johnston has resigned as Treasurer of MPES. Emphasis should be put on the importance of the position, in that it might a) assist in advancement within one's institution and b) lead to advancement to President of MPES. Position involves a one-year commitment. Alex Makedon suggested that Marge Oliker could be treasurer. Marge accepted and was seconded. MOTION PASSED. It was suggested that Pat Roberts or Brian Schultz could serve as Treasurer in the future.

3) MPES PROCEEDINGS. Alex Makedon wanted to clarify what needs to be done for the next round of publication of the Conference Proceedings. There needs to be a nominating committee and an editing committee. Alex stressed that the work required will involve getting finished papers from presenters and ensuring that papers are sent in an appropriate electronic format. Documentation format (ie. APA vs. Chicago vs. MLA) is less important than having same electronic format (either Word or Corel, but not both).

4) EDITING MPES PROCEEDINGS. Richard Pipan asked for peer reviewers for the next edition of MPES proceedings. It was agreed that Jason Helfer, Alex Makedon, Charles Blatz, and Richard Pipan would serve on the editing committee, with Jason Helfer as chief editor. There was also discussion of inclusion of secondary readers. Alex mentioned that the volume format was already in place at the publisher. Manuscripts to be included will be put into an electronic file through copying and pasting and sent to the publisher. The next volume will cover MPES Proceedings for 2004-2005; future volumes may either be annual or biennial. Editors will edit papers, contact the publisher, and proof read galleys.

5) MARKETING MPES PROCEEDINGS. Suggested price for MPES Proceedings 2004-2005 is $30.00. Funds will go into the MPES treasury. Alex pointed out that in the past the $60.00 annual conference registration and MPES membership fee included a copy of the volume; now, however, volumes will be sold directly on line to members, and payment will be made to the publisher to eliminate the middleman. The volume will be advertised on line. The question was raised whether volumes would be available at the conference, and it was suggested that 5 to 10 copies may be made available. Back copies of MPES proceedings are available on ERIC (and perhaps in Alex Makedon's basement!).

6) TIMELINES FOR EDITING MPES PROCEEDINGS. It was suggested that final drafts of papers for publication in MPES Proceedings 2006 be requested by March 1, 2006. [Send full papers in .doc or .rtf format to Prof. Jason Helfer via email at: Jhelfer@millikin.edu]

7) 2006 MPES MEETING PROCEDURES, TIMELINES, AND ISSUES. Marge Oliker pointed out that in the past Michael Oliker put out the MPES conference call in Spring, with a deadline for paper submissions in August for the November Conference. It was agreed that this process would be followed. Richard Pipan suggested that in accordance with the practices of other organizations, MPES should solicit abstracts and proposals rather than completed papers. Alex Makedon suggested that the 2006 conference program be ready at least two weeks in advance of the conference. Others suggested a one to two months period between program completion and the conference. Thus, with the 2006 conference scheduled for November 10 and 11, the program should be prepared perhaps by October 10, 2006. Alex returned again to the suggestion that in the future, other sites and cities be considered as hosts of MPES. Richard Pipan supported the recommendation. Allan Johnston commented that this year's conference call suggested a theme for papers, and inquired whether this practice should be continued.

8) GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS. Alex Makedon commented that currently MPES supports two Graduate Awards of $100.00 each—the Michael Oliker award being one of them. Alex moved, and seconded, that another (third) award be added, for a total of three awards. MOTION PASSED unanimously. Richard asked Alex to serve on the graduate student award nominating committee. It was asked if graduate student awardees' names are posted on the website. Alex said that they were.

9) Respectfully submitted,

Allan Johnston, MPES Secretary