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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Overall, the 2009 SOA Spring Conference was a success. Although the
attendance was not as high as hoped, we had a good number of members in
attendance each day, with a variety of panels and events. After expenses, the
proceeds from the conference generated a net income of nearly $500.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>A financial statement for the conference is available for review at
this website: soaconferencereport.pbworks.com. Here is a summary of that report:
There were a total of at least 49 paid registrations. (There was a discrepancy
with about four online registrations that were not recorded, which could add
about $200 to the income totals). Included in this total were twelve
one-day registrations, four student registrations, and two non-member
registrations, for a total of $2885 received in registration fees.
Additionally, we had three paid sponsors, contributing a total of $500. The
largest expense was for catering services: $1911.70. Additionally, the Ohio
Historical Society was paid $398.50 for the facilities and services.
Expenses relating to our plenary speaker, including airfare, hotel, and meals,
totaled $363.29. Other expenses (relating to mailings and conference packets)
were $246.31.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Unfortunately, due to a lack of applicants (only two registered), the
workshop programs scheduled for the day before the conference were cancelled. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The evaluations for individual conference sessions are still being
collated, but I can report on the overall conference evaluations. (For any
session notetakers: we are still missing several session report forms. If you
have one, please send it to me asap.) Unfortunately, we only received ten
conference evaluation forms, so it is not clear whether this is an accurate
representation of opinion. (If you still would like to comment, feel free to
post a message, or you can anonymously mail comments to me at the address
below.) These reviews were generally positive, with the only major criticism
for the breaks and vendor fair. (Too few vendors; too long breaks, with
inadequate snacks.) One commenter felt that we have the potential to attract
more vendors, suggesting a vendor subcommittee for planning.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The other categories of evaluation received nearly all 4 and 5 ratings,
with one 3 for each. The overall ranking was nearly unanimous, with eight 5s,
one 4, and one between 4 and 5. Of the few forms with comments and suggestions
for next year, one recommended creating planning committees 3-5 years in
advance, with a separate committee for local arrangements. This commenter and
another recommended moving the Spring Conference to various sites around the
state each year, rather than keeping it in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Columbus</st1:City></st1:place> every year – with the desire
for expanding participation. Another commenter suggested creating a system of
mail and/or online balloting for council elections to allow for participation
of those unable to attend the membership meeting, noting that those at the
meeting are only a small percentage of the membership.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Other criticisms involved logistics – a lack of signage at the
meeting rooms (a mistake of omission by the planning committee; we had planned
to do that, but failed to follow through); a desire for rooms with computer
workstations for computer-oriented programs; and better time management for
events.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I will conclude by adding my own suggestions: I will repeat what I
stated at the conference – I cannot emphasize enough that in order to
have a quality conference without difficulties, planning should begin as early
as possible. I was not joking when I suggested that the next committee should
be forming now. I hope that someone will take charge and begin managing that
committee very soon. I agree with the commenter who suggested planning years in
advance – we should be able to announce the date and location of the next
year’s conference at the current meeting. And we must expand the
attendance – particularly by non-members and students. How we can do
that, I don’t have any profound ideas, but I hope the next committee will
work on it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Finally, I want to thank everyone who attended the conference, and
especially the planning committee, whose hard work put the entire conference
together for us.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Ron Davidson</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Archives Librarian</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Sandusky</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Library</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>114 <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">W. Adams St</st1:address></st1:Street>.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Sandusky</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">OH</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">44870</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>(419) 625-3834</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="mailto:ron.davidson@sandusky.lib.oh.us"
title="mailto:ron.davidson@sandusky.lib.oh.us">ron.davidson@sandusky.lib.oh.us</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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