Organization > Chapters > Greater Philadelphia > Minutes and Reports
Mid-Year Report 1999
May 24th, 1999
During last year’s conference in Philadelphia several VRA members discussed the possibility of forming a local VRA chapter. Following the conference a listserv was set up in order to facilitate communication among interested individuals. A group of approximately fifteen members met for the first time in early June of last year at the University of Pennsylvania. After introductions all around the discussion turned to the procedures involved in establishing a local chapter. Officers were elected at this time with Susan Shifrin assuming the role of Chair. Peggy Ottens took on the role of Secretary. Second on the agenda was the creation of bylaws for the local chapter. Susan Shifrin, together with Peggy Ottens and Micheline Nilsen, agreed to work on this project. These tasks being accomplished, there was a discussion regarding the general aims of the chapter.
Over the next months several versions of the bylaws were posted to the listserv for perusal by the group. The group’s second meeting, consisting of fifteen participants, took place in March of this year at Swathmore College. At this time a name was chosen for the group, the Greater Philadelphia Area Chapter, and a final review of the bylaws took place. It was agreed upon that after the proposed changes were made the revised bylaws would be submitted to Jenni Rodda. An open forum regarding database issues followed the bylaws’ review.
After a year of ground-breaking work in their respective roles, Susan Shifrin and Peggy Ottens have passed the responsibilities of their offices on to Joan Beaudoin and Rachel Beckwith until a formal election of officers can occur. A future meeting, with President Rodda in attendance, is planned for early June of this year at Bryn Mawr College.
Report submitted by Joan Beaudoin and Susan Shifrin
