MAPOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING AGENDA
MAPOR SPOTLIGHT of the MONTH: A big thank you to Jenny for all of her continued hard work on the
conference!
MAPOR Mission Statement
We provide high-quality educational and conference programs to encourage scholarly exchanges across
disciplines and geographies, broaden member access to mentors and resources, and bolster
opportunities for leadership and innovations. We join forces with AAPOR, academic institutions, and
government and industry employers to develop a thriving community that supports all MAPOR
members, including students, scholars, and professionals in every stage of their career.
MAPOR Vision Statement
MAPOR is a leading voice in public opinion, survey, and social science scholarship, methods, and practice
among regional professional associations. We are an inclusive and supportive community that enables
our diverse members to achieve their educational, professional development, and networking goals.
Attendees: Semilla, Carlye, Beth, Leah, Curtiss, Erin, Evgenia, Patrick, Jenny, Yorkow, Paul,
Rebecca, Jerry
Agenda:
I. Approve July Minutes: 07.12.24 MINUTES.docx
- Approved
II. 2024 Conference (Jenny)
a. Abstract submissions:
i. 73 papers; 3 posters; 1 panel session
ii. Student paper submissions – 15!
iii. 16 sessions – 4 blocks of presentations versus 5 blocks
iv. 1 submission to discuss.
b. Sending abstract notifications
i. Virtual presentations?
c. Conference registration fee
d. Conference registration
e. Budget
f. Short course questions – number of attendees from last 5 years; break?
g. Conference Program – design and printing
h. 2025/50th anniversary planning committee (Beth)
- A bit lower than last year, but other conferences have trended down as well so feels comfortable
closing the submissions. Had 15 student submissions (compared to 2 last year). Jenny and Curtiss
are touching base about who to send student paper submissions to. - Pros and cons to 4 vs 5 presentation blocks (shortened time/leaving early and reduced cost vs
diversity of sessions, funding). Option to start later on Sunday (9am instead of 8am)? Jenny is
going to play around with schedules and circulate options. - Abstract to discuss. Grad student, no current/past association with MAPOR. Concern is that it
will become political speech. Jerry noted that it is not seemingly based on much theory or
backing, and there is no data in hand, so unsure if they have conducted the survey. Leah agreed.
Evgenia noted that we have accepted other work that has not been conducted yet. Patrick noted
that there are theoretical holes here and does not fit into conference themes/papers. Consensus
is there are many good reasons to reject it. Jerry had the idea to redact mentions of Russia from
the abstract and send to Fellows with rubric for accept/reject decision. Jenny is going back to this
person and asking for more information about theory and themes for presentation and we will
go from there. Jenny is going to reach out to David and Dana (other past chairs) for advice. - We are not giving the option to present virtually (one person asked last year and backed out).
- Once we send out acceptances for abstracts and have a preliminary program, we can send out
conference registration fee/acceptance. By the time we meet in early Sept, it should be ready to
go out. Registration fee is supposed to go up ($5?) this year. - Jerry suggests inviting Tristanne to give the AAPOR keynote speech. Jenny reached out about a
month ago and is going to follow up. - Working with Embassy Suites to get everything in place, planning to replicate everything we did
before so the price will be relatively similar to last year. - Number of short course attendees has ranged from 2-12 in past 5 years. Up to them if they need
a break. - Beth is following up about conference program printing.
III. Secretary Treasurer’s Report (Semilla)
a. Financial updates
● Checking: $20,904.96
● Savings: $42,219.68
b. Membership list updates
● 347 non-students, 64 students, 411 total
c. Zoom – can Lindsey get the log-in from someone?
d. iAccess
- Rebecca is following up with Zoom information
- Changing the contact on the iAccess account is difficult – we still had Jolene Smyth and Kevin
Ulrich (past Sec/Treas’s) on the account, but no one is authorized to close the account. David
Chearo (Secretary/Treas) is the account holder and able to shut down the account, but no longer
has access to the email address on file. No one is authorized to change the contact information
so David has to call iAccess to get them to change his email address and then have them send
him the account closing paperwork. Hope to have a final update on this next month. We aren’t
accruing any charges, so not a huge priority.
IV. Communications/Website (Benjamin)
a. Spring newsletter
- No updates
- Leah needs to follow up about newsletter
V. Awards, Grants, and Support Committee - Curtiss getting started with communications
- Need to get ready for support grants for students and early career folks. Will send those out
when we have them ready.
VI. Sponsorship (Justine)
- Leah will touch base with Justine
VII. Online Learning Committee (Rebecca)
a. October Webinar on AI
- Jerry meeting with Trent re; list of names and get something on the books for October
VIII. Other business
a. MAPOR council nominations (Leah)
- Council nominations for 2024/2025 council are quickly approaching. Associate Conf Chair,
VP/President Elect are up this year. Send any nominations over to Leah (for either yourself or for
others). Have to release voting no later than Sept 20, and will announce winners right before the
conference. - How to make sure other folks are engaged? Reach out internally, send around nomination form
to wider MAPOR lists (like we did for bylaws). - Leah will do that next week or so, will follow up about bylaws.
Council members
President – Leah Dean
Vice President / President Elect – Y. Patrick Hsieh
Past President – Justine Bulgar-Medina
Conference Chair – Jenny Marlar
Associate Conference Chair – Beth Fisher
Secretary-Treasurer – Lindsey Witt-Swanson
Associate Secretary-Treasurer – Semilla Stripp
Sponsorship Coordinator –Justine Bulgar-Medina
Student Liaison – Curtiss Engstrom
Communications & Website Chair – Benjamin Schapiro
Members at Large – Erin Heiden, Rebecca Powell, Jerry Timbrook, Paul DiPerna, Carlye Arcas, Yorkow
Oppon-Acquah, Caroline Smith
Proposed Committees
Conference Committee – Jenny, Beth, Justine
Online Learning Committee – Rebecca Powell (Chair), Erin Heiden, Jerry Timbrook, Yorkow
Oppon-Acquah
Awards, Grants, and Support Committee – Paul DiPerna, Curtiss Engstrom, Carlye Arcas
Secretary Treasurer Support – Lindsey Witt-Swanson, Semilla Stripp
Communications Support – Benjamin Schapiro, Evgenia Kapousouz, Leah Dean,
50th Anniversary Committee – Leah (chair), Beth, additional fellows, Caroline Smith, David
Sterrett