MAPOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING AGENDA
March 13, 2026
12:30 – 2:00 CST / 1:30 pm – 3:00pm EST
Agenda:
- Secretary Treasurer’s Report (Semilla/Nadia)
- Financial updates
- Checkings: $21,261.34
- Savings: $42,226.21
- Membership list updates
- 333 members (271 general members, 62 student members)
- Membership lists are posted in Google drive
- Membership list updates
- Renewed CVENT contract (5 year contract – saved onto Google Drive for next TreasSec it comes up for again)
- Paid federal + state taxes
- Update on website enhancements and timeline (Ben/all)
Website team is currently updating content. Ben will be sending out information for the April newsletter to writers. Generally, newsletter consists of an update from the President, from the Secretary Treasurer, Any info about student fellowship information. Ben likes to get that out in April. In June there will be look and feel updates to the website, after the call for abstracts has gone out but before the deadline. Updates will be done in a step by step manner. The goal is to have a new look and feel by summer. Everyone is encouraged to contribute content for the newsletter. Please look out for an email from Ben in your inboxes for more about this.
- Conference planning update and speaker invites (David/all)
Lindsey and Brittany are working on this. Potentially reaching out to Michael Link for a pedagogy hour.
Erik has also sent the contact information for the stats horizon group to Lindsey.
A possible quid pro quo for such a service could include putting an ad for them, or letting them have a booth at the conference
- Update on online learning committee ideas/plans (Rebecca/all)
Planning on doing something related to AI for the first webinar.
- Discuss MAPOR at AAPOR plans (David/all)
We are going to have a table at the chapter reception. Many MAPOR council members are going to be there, and the table responsibilities can be divided. Patrick will work with an all chapter party and the rest of the members can think about the booth. Two things to consider regarding booth 1) Giveaway – last year there were a bunch of midwest related items, such as popcorn from Nebraska, ice cream from Ohio and fudge from Michigan… This approach has been quite popular. 2) We have existing buttons and mugs and we can potentially bring those as swag. For the give away we draft winners and ship them the items. Generally keep between 3 to 5 winners and up to $250.
Contribution to the all chapter party is going to be $500 which we will keep as our contribution for now.
- Discuss naming of student fellows and grants (David/all)
ormer President pitched the idea of the potential of naming a student fellowship after P Lavrakas, based on his generous contributions and a way to bring more attention to the student awards and grants. However, there are two issues to consider: a) If we are considering Paul, should we be considering other people as well and b) Reached out to six former MAPOR presidents and fellows got a mixed response including the question of the naming of awards in the first place. Another thing about naming for people who are alive could be the lack of knowledge about their potential future actions.
Objective statistics could include: Who among fellows has reviewed the most number of student paper awards, who has contributed the most by advising students work, in order to create a more objective basis for naming an award after anyone.
Another point is whether the objective was to honor Paul or to name the student fellowship. Could we do something entirely different to honor Paul and even other past presidents and others who have really demonstrated major contribution to the association.
Other options include doing a newsletter item for special members that include interviews and spotlight on members
- Follow up on ways to engage more students and student fellowships (Paul/all)
Keeping it on a rolling basis gives us more time to continue the matching process
Brittany brought up AAPOR’s process and Paul will look into it more
We have the capacity for 9 to 10 student fellows and so far 1 has shown interest
Paul circulated ask to MAPOR list serv and LinkdIn
- 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!