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Governance of the Section on Sociological Practice and Public Sociology

Effecting change in a positive way is the core value of a practitioner of sociology. A critical means of enacting this change is to be part of the governance of the Section. While any ASA member can propose new sessions and workshops, etc., a council member is potentially more aware of the processes as set forth by the ASA, whether written or spoken lore. Also, being a member of the Council connects colleagues, allows for networking and, who knows, maybe even future job opportunities.

Each council member is also accessible for further questions about being a being a sociologist whose profession reaches beyond academic life.

The ASA Section Manual, August 2006

General information about sections in the ASA.

Current Section Officers

  • Chair 2009-2010 Jeff Will (Chairs Awards Committee)
  • Past chair: Augie Diana (Chairs Nominations Committee)
  • Chair-elect: Roy Feldman (Chairs Program Committee)
  • Secretary-Treasurer 2009-2011: Becky Hsu (Chairs Budget Committee)

Council:

Terms ending 2010: Awards Committee
  • Laura Nichols
  • Nicole Flynn Carr
  • Mary Gatta
  • Roy Feldman
Terms ending 2011: Communications & Nominations Committee
  • Phil Nyden
  • Kathy Stolley
  • Lisa Frehill
Terms ending 2012: Program Commmittee
  • Marvin Finkelstein
  • Leslie Hossfeld
  • Johanna Bishop
  • Newsletter Editor: Leora Lawton
  • Past Editor: Kathryn Goldman Schuyler.

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    Duties of Elected Officers

    Elected Position
    All

    Duties

    To make the Section achieve its Purpose, as stated in Article I of the By-laws

    Chair
    • Represents the Section to ASA Executive Office and Council, and at Meeting of Section Officers.
    • Oversees budget
    • Chairs annual Section Council and Business meetings
    • Appoints all committees
    • Chairs Awards Committee (Not in by-laws)

    Chair-Elect

    • Serves on the Section Council
    • Assumes duties of the Chair in the latter's absence or incapacity
    • Responsible for reception at the Annual Meeting
    • Chairs the Program Committee

    Past-Chair

    • Serves on the Section Council
    • Submits annual report on the Section to ASA Executive Office within 6 weeks after the annual meeting (outgoing chair)
    • Chairs the Committee on Nominations

    Secretary-Treasurer

    • Serves on the Section Council
    • Prepares minutes of the Section's annual Council and Business meeting.
    • Oversees special elections (e.g., changes in By-laws).
    • Provides Council with copies of the By-laws.
    • Authorizes expenditures of the Section's funds (e.g., cash award to Student Practitioner Awardee) and provides annual budgetary report.

    Council Representatives (9)

    • Serve on the Section Council.
    • During their first year:
      *They sit on the Program Ctte and design and organize at least one Session, including Special or Thematic Sessions, or Workshop for the next two annual meetings.
    • During their second year they:
      * sit on the Communications Committee, and will write at least one piece for the Newsletter, and/or solicit other pieces.
      * sit on the Nominations Ctte and assist in finding a suitable slate of all positions.
    • During their third year, they sit on the Awards Committee.

    Duties of Other Officials and Committees

    Committee or Official

    Duties

    Committee on Nominations

    Solicits nominations for the Section's Officers and Council from membership; submits slate of candidates to the ASA Executive Office.

    • Chair: Section Past-Chair
    • Members: Two to four who are appointed by the Section Chair. Second year council members.

    Program Committee

    		 Organizes the Section's regular section sessions and other activities.
    • Chair: Section Chair-elect.
    • Members: At least three who are appointed by the Chair. First year council members.

    Budget Committee

    Submits a budget for the section to the Section council for its approval.

    • Chair: Secretary Treasurer
    • Members: Consists of the immediate past-Chair, Chair-elect, the Chair, and the Newsletter-Editor.

    Committee on Communications

    		Responsible for Newsletter and Homepage.
    • Chair: Newsletter Editor
    • Members: 3 other members. Second year council members.

    Awards Committee

    		Solicits nominations from membership and selects Distinguished Scholar Awardee

    • Chair: No chair defined in By-laws, but in 2003-2004 to be chaired by the Section Chair.
    • Members: Four members. Third year council members.

    Newsletter Editor
    • Prepares and publishes Newsletter.
    • Serves at the pleasure of the Council. Appointed by Chair with concurrence of Council.

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