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: Curtiss, Jerry, Lindsey, Ben, Jenny, Justine, Leah, Mia, David, Rebecca, Beth, Patrick, and Erin
Agenda:
I. Approve August Minutes: 08.09.24 MINUTES.docx
Approved.
II. 2024 Conference (Jenny)
a. 2025/50th anniversary planning committee (Beth)
i. Justine, Leah will also sit on committee
Jenny circulated the preliminary program last week. They weren’t quite sure how long to
stretch out Saturday. The short course will start at 8:30am on Friday, a little later than
usual.
The Sponsor tables are typically set up throughout the morning of Friday. Jenny and Beth
are working with the hotel to figure out a reception flow that will hopefully allow space
for drinks, sponsors, and conversation. There was talk of having some coffee over by the
sponsorship tables, but there was a concern non-MAPOR guests may be more likely to
drink MAPOR coffee, which isn’t cheap.
There are two students who would like to present but if they can present depends on if
they get assistance grants. Curtiss said they can send the applications now, but
explained why we tend to wait until registration opened. The application website is up-
to-date and ready to go. The support opportunities were included in the registration
information. Jenny will send all the students who are presenting an email with the link.
The registration details and fees need to be set and then registration can open.
Registration is going up to $130 for early bird and $150 after per the three-year plan.
Student pricing will remain the same. The membership costs will be removed. The lunch
will stay at $40 and sponsorship can subsidize the additional lunch costs. The short
course will stay at $35. The COVID language will be removed. Jenny will finalize the
preliminary conference draft to post to the website with the goal of opening registration
early next week. Beth is working on an update on the full color version of the program.
We confirmed that we need large binder clips for the poster session. Lindsey and Mia will
add them to the Secretary/Treasurer shopping list.
Our Embassy Suites contract expires after next year. The group agreed to continue
working with them. Leah explained how the last contract went (very easy). The location
is good, but the conference timing was discussed. The weekend before Thanksgiving
leads to higher hotel room rates, but all other costs would stay the same. Leah will let
them know that we want another contract but need to think about dates.
Beth will look for a time for the 50 th anniversary committee to meet.
III. Secretary Treasurer’s Report (Lindsey)
a. Financial updates
● Checking: $20,916.16
● Savings: $42,220.02
b. Membership list updates
● 348 non-students, 64 students, 412 total
c. Zoom – Lindsey updated the credit card, so should be all set.
d. iAccess – changing contact, but the contact is now ghosting Lindsey. She’ll keep trying to
reach him.
IV. Communications/Website (Benjamin)
a. Spring newsletter
Ben apologized for not sending out the newsletter. He is going to spend some time on the
website this weekend.
V. Awards, Grants, and Support Committee
Curtiss is preparing to send the papers to the fellows at the end of the month. See the
conference update for the grants update.
VI. Sponsorship (Justine)
Justine rolled out outreach a little differently in a tiered approach. We rolled out a new,
sustaining sponsor level of $3,000 or more.
VII. Online Learning Committee (Rebecca)
a. October Webinar on AI
The Kelly sisters will do an introductory session on AI. The committee is speaking with Trent
to make sure the webinar doesn’t overlap with Trent’s keynote at the conference.
VIII. Other business
a. MAPOR council nominations (Leah)
People did submit names to the request for nominations. Ben and David are running for
President and Lindsey is running from Secretary/Treasurer. Leah will be reaching out about
head shots and bios. Others reached out to help as a member at large.
A person from Georgia (the country) has offered to help but has never attended the
conference. Jenny shared that she thinks it is a reasonable expectation to expect people on
committee to attend at least sometimes. David asked if we need to institute a minimum
expectation for being Member at Large. Attended a conference? Been involved? Jerry asked
if she could help with the webinars. Mia also suggested referring her to WAPOR. Erin
wondered if this person possibly reached out to other regional chapters. Leah will reach back
out to her.
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