Benjamin Schapiro

MAPOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING AGENDA

January 9, 2026

MAPOR SPOTLIGHT of the MONTH:  Our MAPOR Spotlight of the Month is for Lindsey and Beth for working on the conference attendee survey! Thanks to all for your hard work and your service to MAPOR.  

Attendance: Lindsey, Benjamin Schapiro, Jaime, Curtiss, Beth, Betsy, Brittany Creel, Miranda, Jerry Timbrook, David Sterrett, Alexandros-Christos, Rebecca Powell, Erin Heiden, Brian Wells, Patrick Hsieh, Erik Nisbet.

Agenda:

  1. Secretary Treasurer’s Report                 (Semilla/Nadia)
    • Financial updates
  • Checkings: $19,060.92
  • Savings: $42,225.55
  • Membership list updates 
  • 302 members (243 general members, 59 student members)
  • Membership lists are posted in Google drive
  • 2026 mailing lists are created and updated in CVENT
  • The 2026 membership link is live at https://cvent.me/lq3lWN – so just need to update the links on the website to point here. Reminder that we decided to split out the membership and sponsorship links this year, so will get a sponsorship link ready. 
  • Have one outstanding student travel grant to pay, and have reached out a few times. Will reach out next week once term is back in swing in case missed emails during break. 
  1. Brainstorm website enhancements (Ben/all)
    • Ben thinks the biggest thing that would be helpful is to get some understanding of what an ideal website does, do we want it to be archival, content, overall what the goal of the website should be.
    • Members agreed that having archives is important to document the history as well as doing some business on the website
    • we should do a blog on the website, so we can have more control on that rather than putting ourselves at the mercy of social media. It is equal amounts of labor. 
    • visual element – a more horizontal layout would be visually more appealing.
    • Need to have flexibility about how much work needs to be put in, especially also for future council members so that we do not create too much work
    • Leveraging existing content and highlighting it can be another way to spruce up the website
    • Going through other chapters website for inspiration was suggested 
    • Also would be potentially a space to store video materials as we run out of space on zoom. 
    • Potential ideas would be some kind of member only video library
    • Communications committee will take these suggestions up in their meeting and report back 
  1. Discuss conference survey results and brainstorm 2026 conference speakers (Lindsey/all)
    • Overwhelming theme – people were very pleased with the conference and appreciative of the council’s efforts. 82% of people were extremely satisfied with the conference. 
    • Potential improvements: Folks who do not stay in the hotel ask that we start a little later on Saturday and have a little extra time for lunch so people can get out and come back. 
    • People really liked the AI stuff, Keynote was well received and attendees loved the R workshop. 
    • For students: A few people were not aware of the travel grants, and one person said they were not eligible, so potentially there could be more messaging around that
    • For students paper awards: positive response overall
    • Note that as long as the paper is student led and mentor author fill out a form stating the paper is student led, the paper is eligible for student award
    • Costs – something to think about microphones in each room since it was brought up; people are less interested in morning snacks, and only about a 3rd of people seem to think swag is valuable. People are just as likely or more likely to attend next year’s conference even with the changed schedule. 
    • Short course topics: advanced methods, AI, inference of non-prob, polling were some topics suggested in survey
    • Stats horizons: an organization that offers some courses and we could ask them to do a short presentation – consisting of faculty; Or could bring someone in that could help with some co-branding. 
    • Potential keynote speakers: Michael Link, Patricia, Sunshine Hillygus (especially if we want to do an election panel type of thing) Emily Swanson from the associated press, Charles Franklin from Marquette  
    • Pedagogy ideas: How to poll in turbulent times, how to survey in difficult times. 
  1. Brainstorm online learning topics (Rebecca/all)
    • Interested in different formats of things because webinars don’t always work with younger audience
    • Polling and navigating jobs were the two most popular topics. 
    • Stats horizons might want to work on the webinar series – but need to investigate costs
    • Need to think of things that apply to both students and non-students to bolster attendance
    • Items that are broader and can apply to broad audiences is stuff that does better 
    • Frank Markowitz – for non-prob panels
    • Potential conversations about mid-term elections before the elections
  1. Other business

Council members

President – David Sterrett 

Vice President / President Elect – Paul DiPerna

Past President – Patrick Hsieh

Conference Chair – Lindsey Witt-Swanson

Associate Conference Chair – Erik Nisbet

Secretary-Treasurer – Semilla Stripp

Associate Secretary-Treasurer – Nadia Assad

Sponsorship Coordinator – Patrick Hsieh

Student Liaison – Curtiss Engstrom and Betsy Broaddus 

Communications & Website Chair – Benjamin Schapiro

Members at Large – Erin Heiden, Rebecca Powell, Jerry Timbrook, Brian Wells, Alexandros Gkotinakos, Beth Fisher, Carolina Smith,  Miranda Kaye, Jaime Faus, Brittany Creel, and Betsy Broaddus

Proposed Committees

Conference Committee – Lindsey, Erik, Beth, David

Online Learning Committee – Rebecca Powell (Chair),  Erin Heiden, Jerry Timbrook

Awards, Grants, and Support Committee – Paul DiPerna, Curtiss Engstrom. Miranda Kaye, and Brian Wells

Secretary Treasurer Support – Semilla Stripp, Nadia Assad

Communications Support – Benjamin Schapiro, Jaime Faus, Brittany Creel, and Betsy Broaddus

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. 

GO MAPOR GO!