TO: Richard Dietrich

FROM: Norma Jenckes, ISS Recording Secretary

SUBJECT: Minutes of ISS GENERAL MEETING on March 21, 2004

DATE: 5 APRIL 2004

President Richard Dietrich called the first general meeting of the International Shaw Society (ISS) to order at 9:15 AM on 21 March 2004 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sarasota, Florida, at the conclusion of the Shaw Conference, “GBS by the Bay,” on the University of South Florida Sarasota campus. The meeting followed the agenda that had been distributed earlier and was also available at the meeting to the 30 some Shaw enthusiasts in attendance (it was hard to get an accurate count because some entered late and some left before the meeting ended to pack or meet flights).

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Dick began by explaining some of the reasons that he had called the new organization into being.

1. The ISS will gain more recognition for Shaw and his work and thus make it more likely that this important and unique voice from the past is still heard..

2. But Shaw did not want disciples; Dick joked that the ISS would honor Shaw’s wishes by not being “faith-based.”

3. Shaw was anti-academic when the academic was dry and detached from practice. But those of us who are in the academy can nevertheless study and benefit from understanding his work and example.

4. Shaw still draws people to him from all over the world and from all classes and walks of life. Dick concluded his opening remarks by expressing the hope that the ISS would be a “big tent” that would draw under it all who are interested in any aspect of Shaw and his life and work. It will be welcoming to all, not just academics or Shaw scholars.

D.D. recounted the brief history of the ISS but drew attention to the long history of Shaw societies that preceded and led to it. He announced that Stan Weintraub has been asked to form a committee to research and to write a history of the other Shaw societies throughout the world to remind us of the growth and process of this idea.

DD told the group that the “Articles and Bylaws” of the ISS are available on line. He also made available copies of the press release about the new society and the membership brochure. These documents are also available on line.

Dick stressed that the greatest task now is to expand the membership list of the Society, and he urged all present to take as their personal charge to promote the ISS in their local environment. Recruitment is our current principal task.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS

The Membership Secretary Lori Dietrich announced that ISS now has 42 paid regular members after about two weeks of the membership drive. One of the tasks is to build a database of names and addresses of possible members. Ideas about membership and subscription lists were explored. One suggestion made was that members try to use local theaters to distribute a membership brochure in their programs.

Treasurer Lagretta Lenker reported that the ISS had $5650 in revenue at the time of the conference. Several members had made contributions in addition to regular dues structure in order to show support for the new organization, and this was much appreciated.

Recording Secretary. Norman Jenckes reported that she was taking notes of the current meeting, which would be placed on the ISS website.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Vice President Don Wilmeth reported on his special brief, which is to formulate plans for the future. A conference evaluation, which was in each registrant’s packet of materials, will provide information and feedback about this meeting and give guidance for future ISS meetings. THE VP has made queries in Dublin, London and Providence, R.I., about the feasibility of holding future ISS meetings. There is also a need to plan the frequency of the Shaw meetings.

He confirmed that there will be a one-day Shaw Symposium at the Shaw Festival in Niagara at the end of July. Details are on the ISS website.

Discussion was opened to the floor.

One member stressed the need to keep the calendar in mind to avoid conflicts between the ISS and other close organizations such as those on Irish Literature.

Several people spoke to the ways in which young people and students can be involved.

Cost of housing for conferences should be addressed.

Need for a long-term plan was mentioned and pre-conferences at ATHE might target graduate students. Need to present papers and organize sessions on Shaw at ASTR and MLA.

Some members raised the question of how to make Shaw more prominent to theatre group. Shaw lives or dies on stage and this should lead the members of the ISS to find ways to influence theatres, especially LORT houses in their localities.

One member said that Shaw must be introduced to high school students. Perhaps the kind of program to promote Shakespeare that the English Speaking Union organizes annually might be an inspiration fro some activity—an essay contest—a reading contest—on Shaw’s work.

DD concluded this portion of the discussion by insisting that we depend on ourselves and ignite a spirit of volunteerism in a re-stating of the Kennedy admonition “ASK NOT WHAT THE ISS CAN DO FOR YOU, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE ISS.”

HOW TO SPEND MONEY

Many suggestions arose when this question was opened. Many wanted to create travel grants for students. Also, others wanted to provide prizes and scholarships for students.

There was also a sense that we need to build up the coffers of the new society before we spend what we have. Such possible uses of revenue as advertising, productions in colleges and high schools, and more specifically, provision of travel grants for students to attend the scheduled Shaw Symposium in the summer of 2004.

Also suggestions were made about the need for grant writing and larger support in the future.

There was a clarification over how the membership can vote on issues. Votes are determined by a majority of the people who respond to mailed paper ballots. Votes at live meetings are thus just advisory.

A motion was made and seconded in the meeting that two grants of $350 minimum be provided to 2 full-time students to attend the Shaw Symposium. After several friendly amendments were made and accepted the motion read: Move that we establish the principle of offering grants to students to attend Shaw conference. The dates and amounts will be determined later. This motion was approved by a vote if 22 to 2. This was historically significant because it was the first official motion made and passed at the first ISS General Meeting. It will be taken under advisement by the ISS Council.

All present felt the energy and good will in this advisory motion.

CONCLUSIONS AND ADMONITIONS

DD CONCLUDED THE MEETING BY GIVING THE GROUP A REALITY CHECK ABOUT THE COST OF THE CONFERENCE THAT THEY HAD ALL ATTENDED AND ENJOYED—THE MEETING IN SARASOTA HAD A BUDGET OF $40,000.

With that chastening fact in all minds, discussion turned to fund raising and grant writing.

DD also assured all present that copies of the membership brochure would be sent to all who request them.

He also reminded us that Shaw was not a technophobe and that we should all gain greater proficiency in using our computers and email and down loading capabilities. The electronic age will make possible the growth of an international and far -flung organization like ours.

The meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Norma Jenckes.