Society for the Study of Social Problems

2008 CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP

SSSP resolutions constitute an important opportunity for our scholar-activist membership to publicly declare their sentiments, thereby creating a channel for greater visibility and more direct influence upon a variety of “publics,” i.e., fellow activists, scholars, students, decision-makers, social action groups, voters, and others.  Thus, as Vice-President this year, I am calling on the membership to submit resolutions for discussion, debate, and in some cases, passage.  To do so, simply forward your resolution or your idea for a resolution to the appropriate SSSP Division Chair.  When doing so, remember that proposed resolutions can serve as useful discussion points for SSSP members, helping to increase and enhance communication and activities during the long period between annual meetings.

It is the SSSP Vice-President’s responsibility to serve as the facilitator for resolutions being sponsored by the Divisions as well as from individual Society members, making them available to the membership at the annual business meeting.  This year in Boston, the resolutions process will be organized in a manner that promotes wider discussion prior to formal consideration at the 2008 Business Meeting.  The process is as follows: 

• On the first day of the meetings an open forum of discussion will be held, which is designed to encourage a political discussion of concerned members.  At this meeting, each proposed resolution should be presented for membership discussion by the sponsoring Division’s Chairperson (or designated representative) and adequate time for discussion will be properly allotted to each.  To facilitate this process, all proposed resolutions should be made available to the SSSP Vice-President well at least two weeks prior to the meeting such that the membership can be provided a print copy with their registration packet.
  
  
• Modifications and revisions will be considered during the open discussion forum that will meet in place of the annual meeting of the Resolutions Committee.  All Division Chairs should plan to participate in this session or designate a proxy from their division if unable to attend.  It is essential that someone be present who can speak to the substance of the proposed resolution.
  
  
• During the 2008 Annual Business meeting, the resolutions will be presented (including any modifications or revisions) by the Vice-President as a package for approval for action by the attending membership.  The membership will vote on proposed resolutions that were discussed and revised on the first day of the meeting.  Experience shows that the Annual Business meeting fails to provide sufficient time for a detailed discussion of resolutions.  If objections from the floor are raised to any specific resolution at this year’s Business meeting, that resolution can, by majority vote of those present, be singled out from the package, and voted on separately.  Those present can either support the resolution for approval as proposed or decide to table the resolution for further discussion at the subsequent year’s annual meeting.
  
  
• We will attempt to make approved resolutions immediately available to the press.  In addition, all approved resolutions will be submitted for publication in the fall issue of the Social Problems Forum: The SSSP Newsletter.

Members who wish to propose resolutions for consideration of the SSSP should submit them to a Division Chairperson (see http://www.sssp1.org/index.cfm/m/21 for current contact information) or directly to the SSSP Vice-President at costello@uwm.edu.  I look forward to hearing your ideas.