In attendance were: Nagambal Shah, Kim Weems, Debby Swayne, and Jeffrey Wilson (not a committee member)
Though we followed the agenda prepared by Nagambal, a key theme of the meeting turned out to be energizing the committee's membership and outreach.
Mailing lists
We decided that the mailing lists on the ASA's web site were causing us more trouble than they were worth, and we would return to managing the list in a more informal way. That would make it easier for us to be more inclusive, and to include non-members and past members in our discussions.
Participation and planning
Jeffrey suggested that we put together a long-term plan to make the transitions easier, particularly when the chair changes.
Nagambal then suggested that forming a Statfest committee would be a good way both to bring in nonmembers and to build something that would be easier to manage when committee members change.
A discussion arose about the process and criteria for joining the committee. The committee chair makes recommendations to the ASA President, but the President is not bound by them when appointing people to the committee. Since some of the current committee members have been inactive (not participating in any activities) for a long time, we discussed asking the ASA to establish some criteria for membership, such as asking upcoming members to write a vision statement, or asking prospective members to make a commitment to participate: to attend conference calls, or attend the annual committee meeting and reception at JSM, help with StatFest activities, etc.
SACNAS and AISES
The Committee would like to participate in and support the activities of these two organizations, AISES (American Indian Science & Engineering Society) and SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science). Nagambal has twice proposed a session for SACNAS but has been turned down. She also had a meeting at CDC with Gladys Reynolds and two active members/participants in AISES with whom she sent a proposal for a StatFest event at AISES meetings. That did not come to fruition. She has approached the ASA about obtaining institutional support, such as sponsorship, which might help us get a foot in the door. The MAA has established some kind of formal relationship, and perhaps we can do the same.
ASA
Nagambal was asked to make a presentation in February at the ASA board meetings. The activities and directions of the Committee was well received.
Strategic initiatives
Kim reminded us about the conference she has been working on for faculty at women's colleges and minority serving institutions, to discuss the pipeline of students from smaller colleges to graduate statistics programs. The workshop will be held this September 30th on the campus of NC State University. See www.stat.ncsu.edu/pipeline/ for additional information.
Fall Statfest 2006 is scheduled for November 18th at the University of Texas in El Paso. Nagambal has also had discussions with people at the University of Washington about holding a Statfest on November 11th. She planned to meet with the local organizer while at JSM Seattle.
Debby recalled discussions from past years about organizing a conference on minority health issues, or a study of statistics departments to see how they support minority students.
Building community
Nagambal commented that we might consider strengthening our ties to other sections that discuss related issues: Education, Epidemiology,Social Statistics, Health Policy.
Nagambal also suggested that we on the committee begin to let each other know when we are making presentations at the JSM, and that we support each other by attending when we can.
Double-blind reviewing
Debby reported that the ASA's publications committee is considering dropping double-blind reviewing. The reasons offered, apparently, are that it's a lot of work and they are no longer convinced it is necessary. Those of us at the meeting thought it should be continued. Debby will draft a statement that the committee can review.