1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m.

2. Remembrance of Rita Mae Kelly, WPSA President, 1988-89

3. Award Presentations (Timothy Kaufman-Osborn)

a. Dissertation Award (Rodney Hero)

Dr. Brian William Richardson, University of Hawaii
From Longitude to Empire: The Articulation of Place in the Voyages of Captain Cook

b. Pi Sigma Alpha Award (Helena Silverstein)

Verity Smith and Professor Tracy Strong, University of California, San Diego.
Trapped in Family Portrait: Gender and Family in Nietzche's Refiguring of Authority.

c. Betty Nesvold Women & Politics Award (Ronee Schreiber)

Professor Elizabeth Crighton and Martina Ebert
RU 486 and Abortion Practices in Europe: From Legalization to Utilization.

d. WPSA Best Paper on Blacks and Politics (Michael Preston)

Professor Sharon D. Wright, University of Florida and Professor Richard T. Middleton, Jackson State University.
The 2001 Los Angeles Mayoral Election: Implications for Deracialization and Biracial Theories.

e. WPSA Best Paper on Chicano Politics (no award)

f. Charles Redd Award for Best Paper on Politics of the American West (no award)

g. PRQ Best Article Award Harold Clarke

Michael A. Jones-Correa, Cornell University, and David Leal, SUNY Buffalo
Political Participation: Does Religion Matter? This article appeared in the December 2001 issue of PRQ.

4. Reports

a. Long Beach Convention

Program Chair( Amy Bridges)

Amy Bridges thanked the 19 terrific section chairs as well as Betty Moulds, Elsa Favila, and Tim Kaufman-Osborn for their assistance with the program.

Local Arrangements Chair Ron Schmidt

Ron Schmidt offered his thanks to Amy, Betty, Elsa and the student assistants Rosemary and Megan.

b. Political Research Quarterly (Harold Clarke, Ken Godwin)

Harold Clarke and Ken Godwin reported that PRQ has adjusted with few problems to their moves to new institutions. PRQ will soon be included in JSTOR.

The PRQ receptions will alternate back and forth between WPSA and APSA.

They reported statistics on journal submissions and acceptances across fields.

c. Executive Director Elizabeth Moulds

Executive Director Elizabeth Moulds reported the membership statistics and noted that the next convention will be held at the Hyatt in Denver March 27-29. Convention planning for Portland, March 11-13, 2004 is proceeding. Oakland is being considered as a possible site for 2005.

WPSA has offered significant new technological services for the members, notably conference registration via the web.

d. Treasurer Gil St. Clair

Gil St. Clair reported that the association is solvent but that it needs to prepare financially for the future professionalization of the staff.

e. Nominating Committee Julie Novkov

WPSA Nominating Committee Slate
For Election at the March 2002 Membership Business Meeting

Vice-President and Program Chair 2003-2004
Barbara Norrander, University of Arizona

Treasurer 2003-2006
Gilbert St. Clair, University of New Mexico

Executive Council 2003-2006
Region A
Howard Gilman, University of Southern California
Joel Kassiola, San Francisco State University
Region B
David Camacho, Northern Arizona State University
Region C
Susan Burgess, Ohio University

Executive Council 2002-2003 (to fill the remainder of Stephanie Witt's term)
Region C
Clive Thomas, University of Alaska

5. Old Business

There was no old business.

6. New Business

a. Election of Officers

Nominations from the floor were requested but there were none. The slate was approved unanimously.

b. Other

There was no other new business.

7. Introduction of Incoming WPSA President

Program chair and president-elect Amy Bridges has elected not to serve as WPSA president. Current president Timothy Kaufman-Osborn thanked Amy for her work as Program Chair.

According to Article 10 section 2a of the bylaws:

…If the person who is serving as the Vice-President is unable or unwilling to serve as President… the immediate past President of the Association shall be invited to assume the duties of the President.…

Tim has graciously agreed to serve for a second year. Tim thanked Amy for her service as Program Chair.

8. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.