RE: MAPS: DIGEST: RE: Society of Students

["Neal Goldsmith" <neal@xxxxxxxx>]

OK.  Here are some thoughts about getting started.

What do professional societies/student organizations do, and why?

. They meet, to communicate research, ideas and support (emotional and
financial), both at conferences and online.
. They sub-organize (eventually) into divisions, to better reflect and
organize the contours of the field.
. They publish scholarly journals -- of course, there is already the
MAPS Bulletin, perhaps there could be a Student "Special Issue."
. There have a planning or steering committee, because not everyone is
as passionate for the details of a particular organization.
. There are a range of organizational and substantive activities, so
those interested in finely defining terms or by-laws can do that, and
those wanting to theorize can do that, etc.
. They have affiliations or umbrella relationships with other
organizations -- affiliation with similar groups offers strength in
numbers and being under the umbrella of a larger professional society
provides the opportunity to co-locate annual conferences and coordinate
other activities for maximum impact.
. Some societies do public works, get involved with lobbying, or support
research more than others and I bet there would be a lot of pro
bono/public policy/research support activity in any group such as this.

. Many fledgling educational organizations apply for organization
development grants from NSF or NEA and there might be some such funds
available.

There will be other activities I'm missing, but these are just some
quick ideas to jump-start discussion.  As I'm not a (formal) student
anymore, I won't be participating, but I'll very much enjoy watching
your activities percolate along...

Best,

-- Neal

Neal M. Goldsmith, Ph.D.
438 12th Street, PH-A
Brooklyn, NY  11215-5190
+1-718-369-9100/1502 (t/f)
+1-347-743-1110 (m)
neal@xxxxxxxx


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