Notes on Business Meeting of the LASA Section on Venezuelan Studies

Washington D.C., September 6, 2001

Prepared by Leonardo R. Ledezma and Cathy Rakowski

The meeting started with the welcoming of all members by outgoing President Cathy Rakowski. Approximately 30 people were present. She reported that the Section has 118 members, below the 130 that we achieved two years ago. She estimated that approximately 15-20 people might enroll during the Congress.

Outgoing secretary/treasurer Angel Alvarez presented the financial report. The Section has $1,839.25 in our LASA account. We have committed $376.35 as our share of costs for the joint reception with the Central America, Brazil and Social Science and Medicine Sections. The floor was later opened for suggestions on how to use the funds and Cathy summarized the ideas that had been submitted by members over the last year.

Margaret Martin, our Web Page Manager, was not able to attend due to family illness. Cathy read from an e-mail Margaret had sent summarizing the status and update of the Web Page, which is hosted by the University of Michigan. She also reminded members that we have a discussion list hosted by Yahoo but that no one has used it in quite a while. It can be accessed through the Web Page link. The mirror page in Venezuela (facilitated by Janet Kelly at IESA) has been working smoothly also. Members were encouraged to send their papers to Margaret so she can put them on our Web Page. Margaret Martin will continue as Web Page manager—an appointed position.

Each of the outgoing committee members stood for acknowledgement. Then Angel Alvarez presented the results of the elections. Leonardo R. Ledezma was elected new president (18 mo. Term) of the Section on Venezuelan Studies; Cathy Rakowski was elected secretary/treasurer (3 yrs). Angel informed those present that there were two ties among candidates. Members present at the meeting were given three options: add only two persons to the Committee (eliminating from the slate the four persons involved in both ties), hold an election among the four persons tied, or add the four to the committee. Cathy reminded members that we had a tie last time and included both persons on the Committee. Leonardo, Cathy and Angel all recommended the latter option. All present agreed to expand the Committee to nine members. The Committee includes three continuing committee members (18 months more to their terms): Maria Pilar Garcia (Venezuela), Elizabeth Nichols (USA), Luis Gomez Calcaño (Venezuela); three new members resident in Venezuela (3 year term): Emperatríz Arreaza (for whom this is her second term), Raquel Gamus, and Mauricio Pérez-Badell; and three new members resident outside Venezuela (3 year term): Ana Emilia León, Dan Hellinger and Kim Morse.

At this point, Cathy Rakowski turned the meeting over to the new president, Leonardo Ledezma who presented a proposal to the section on the steps to follow in the next eighteen months. The main focus of the proposal was to find ways to support increased research on Venezuela. The proposal stated that a mechanism of contacts and support should be created to increase exchange of scholars between American and Venezuelan universities. This could be done by taking advantage of existing mechanisms such as sabbatical years or semesters, Fulbright fellowships, Summer research or any other mechanism. Leonardo has been working on a program to bring scholars to Texas A & M University. The first scholar to come to Texas A & M will be Hernán Castillo who will be on sabbatical during 2002. The proposal also suggested that the section should be involved in identifying research programs on Latin America to explore the avenues for the exchange. Our role would be to disseminate information, encourage exchanges, and construct a mechanism to facilitate contacts between those seeking to host scholars and those seeking a place to conduct independent research and/or teach special courses.

Leonardo also proposed conducting a survey among members regarding the suggestions for use of funds and ideas for exchanges.

Leonardo opened the floor for discussion and the new Committee members in particular were invited to propose the ideas that led them to volunteer to be on the Committee. Other objectives for the next eighteen months proposed by Committee members and others present are as follows:

1) Create sub-committees to propose more specific objectives (can include elected Committee members and volunteers from among our members)

2) Emperatríz Arreaza proposed that a panel on cinema, art and literature should be planned for the next Congress. Also, we should look into the feasibility of bringing to Dallas Venezuelan movie directors who work on important current issues. They could participate in the panel about cinematographic industry in Venezuela. Topics mentioned were indigenous rights, human rights, documentaries. It was suggested that she contact the Cinemateca Nacional about the idea.

3) Raquel Gamus and Maria Cristina Parra proposed a meeting sponsored by the section within the next six months, similar to the Regional Meetings of the International Sociological Association. Maria Pilar Garcia expressed interest in participating in the organization. This meeting should include interdisciplinary/inter-regional work groups and it should take place in Venezuela so that people residing in Venezuela who are unable to attend LASA in the US can participate.

4) Kim Morse suggested that we should also stimulate interest in literature and history and support future panels on these topics. She noted that there were more sessions this year on history, including several that included papers on Venezuela. She suggested tying this in to the idea for exchanges.

5) Mauricio Pérez-Badell offered to contact Venezuelan Universities in order to connect academia and people in business and management. He explained the benefits to both from such contact and discussed his efforts among business leaders to date. This can increase the membership and help get cutting edge theory and research information to people in the business world.

6) Several people suggested that we use our funds in hand to finance Venezuelan graduate students to attend LASA meetings. Angel Alvarez suggested a competition to select recipients.

7) Some members suggested that we establish connections between the Venezuelan Section and other sections for the purpose of co-sponsoring panels and exchanges. Sections mentioned included Law and Society (to discuss the effect of the changes of COOP), Culture, Power and Politics (especially with the interest in political issues in Venezuela).

8) Others encouraged use of funds to support events in Venezuela.

9) Emperatriz suggested that we sponsor a Venezuelan bookstand in the next LASA Congress for books published in Venezuela. Jose Molina suggested listing books published on the Web Page with information on how to purchase them.

10) Another suggestion by Raquel Gamus was to publish a book with the papers presented in the LASA Congress. Cathy pointed out that this would require significant fundraising as each volume could cost approximately $30,000. Someone suggested we contact Nueva Sociedad or another publisher about the possibility.

The meeting was adjourned after the Executive Committee agreed to meet the following morning to discuss the ideas presented.