2012 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.  Keep in mind, that proposed resolutions serve as useful discussion points for SSSP members, helping to increase and enhance communication and activities during the long period between annual meetings.  To submit a resolution, simply forward your resolution or your idea for a resolution to the Vice-President and the appropriate SSSP Division Chair(s) by July 1, 2012 in order to give members ample time to read and give serious consideration to your resolution.  (If you submit your resolution to more than one chair, please inform all involved of this fact.)  The only exception to the deadline is if the issue in question occurs after July 1st.  Proposed resolutions will be available for review prior to the Annual Meeting via posting on the SSSP website in the “members-only” area and under “Annual Meeting,” and as an e-mail blast sent to members who want to receive announcements from the Administrative Office.

Resolutions submitted to Division Chairs should contain a concise position statement concerning a social problem of urgent concern to the Division.  In most cases, the resolution should include some sort of call for viable action on the part of the SSSP.  This typically has involved a letter from the Board directed to some public entity expressing concern, support, or protest.  Feel free, however, to propose other forms of appropriate action.  If the resolution is in support of or in opposition to a piece of legislation, a copy of the legislation or a place where members can access it must be provided.

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 the resolutions available to the membership prior to and at the annual business meeting.  This year in Denver, the resolutions process will be organized in a manner that promotes wider discussion prior to formal consideration at the 2012 Annual Business Meeting.  The process is as follows:

  • On the first day of the meetings an open forum will be held, designed to encourage a political discussion by 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, as noted above, must be made available to the SSSP Vice-President and Division Chair(s) by July 1, such that the membership has ample time to consider resolutions and can be provided a print copy with their registration packet.
  • Modifications and revisions will be considered during the open discussion forum on the first day of the meetings; the open forum will be held in place of the annual meeting of the Resolutions Committee.  Sponsors of resolutions or a surrogate must be present at this forum to present and respond to questions concerning their resolution.  It is imperative that someone be present who can speak to the substance of the proposed resolution.
  • During the 2012 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 separated from the package, and voted on separately.  Those present can either vote to support the resolution as proposed or decide to table the resolution for further discussion at the subsequent year’s annual meeting.
  • If the resolution requires letters or e-mails to be sent, the sponsor of the resolution must provide the addresses to the Administrative Office and, if necessary, be prepared to assist the Administrative Office in getting the resolution to the appropriate individuals or agencies.  Furthermore, sponsors are responsible for keeping the Society apprised of developments pertaining to the resolution they sponsored.
  • 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 and posted on the SSSP website.

Members who wish to propose resolutions for consideration of the SSSP, should submit them to the appropriate Division Chairperson(s) (see http://www.sssp1.org/index.cfm/m/464/The_Special_Problems_Divisions/) for current contact information) and directly to the SSSP Vice-President at by July 1, 2012.

Wendy L. Chapkis, SSSP Vice-President, 2011-2012

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

Here are some suggestions that may help enhance resolutions submitted for consideration by the Society:

  • Local awareness: A resolution which addresses an issue of urgent concern for the city or region where the annual meeting is taking place is highly desirable.  Thus, a more general or globally-oriented resolution can be strengthened if it makes the extra effort to cite any local aspect or manifestation of the problem which can help dovetail with the larger concern.  Clearly, matters of local concern are more likely to be of interest to the local media.
  • Urgency: Resolutions that embody some urgent or timely matter involving some current manifestation of a larger social problem are highly desirable.  This can relate, for example, to pending legislation, policies and programs, a recently released report, and so on.  Resolutions that address urgent matters are much more likely to be picked up by the press.
  • Action-oriented: All resolutions should attempt to incorporate a call for action, be it on the part of the SSSP Board, or for concerned individuals.  If action is requested on the part of the SSSP, it should be as specific as possible, e.g., to whom should a letter be directed, etc.  In the past, other proposed actions have included calls for boycotts, participation in public demonstrations, collecting donations, and so on.
  • Resource pointer: A resolution which is accompanied by a specific resource or resource list is extremely useful for those who wish to learn more about the issue at hand.  The resource supplement can be a specific document or scholarly paper, website(s), or some other useful repository of information.  This can be very helpful in increasing the impact of the resolution by assisting teachers, students, the press and others who wish to have further background information in engaging the issue for their own specific purposes.