Summer 2014
Oklahoma Political Science Association
Articles
√ State of OPSA
Recent changes have occurred in the Oklahoma
Political Science Association.
√ The 2013 OPSA Conference
The University of Oklahoma
hosted a superb and very
well attended conference.
√ OPSA Constitution Revised
The constitution has been
revised and bylaws created.
√ Membership in OPSA
A description of the two
levels of membership in
OPSA and the benefits associated with each.
√ Biosketch: Nan Melton
The varied career and interests of OPSA’s Executive
Director.
Website
How to Join
Redlands Community College
The Oklahoma Political Science Association’s Annual Conference will be held on
November 6-7 at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Oklahoma. The
conference
program— including
panel topics, papers,
presentations,
roundtables, and
speakers—is
currently being
developed. To learn
more about the
conference, click on
Redlands.
The deadline to
submit proposals for
papers, panels, and roundtables is September 30, 2014. Contact the
conference chair, Bill Gorden, at gordenb@redlandscc.edu.
Several awards will be given during the conference. Among them are cash
prizes for the best graduate and best undergraduate papers.
“The Oklahoma Political Science Association is one
of the most active state associations in the
country.”
- Dr. Keith Gaddie
√ Biosketch: John Wood
OPSA’s former president
wears many, many hats . . .
and wears them well.
LINKS
2014 Conference
Annual Conference to be Held at
√ Institutional Members
Colleges and universities
that support OPSA, and the
difference their support
makes.
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Contact Us
Chair of the 2013 OPSA Conference and head of the
University of Oklahoma Political Science Department.
Constitution & Bylaws
Past Conferences
Award Descriptions
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State of OPSA
In the recent past OPSA leadership has instituted several changes in order to
make the organization more proficient and to continue to advance its founding
purpose.
A summary of the improvements appears below.
Publication and Access



Recruiting a new editor for Oklahoma Politics.
Digitizing and making available online OPSA's peer reviewed journal.
Publishing a quarterly online newsletter.
Organization and Administration


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
Establishing 501(c)(3) status for OPSA.
Hiring an executive secretary.
Improving the budgeting and auditing process.
Revising the Constitution.
Holding more frequent meetings of OPSA’s leadership.
Membership and Dues Structure

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Pressing forward with institutional membership.
Promoting student membership.
Reorganizing the benefits and dues structure.
Arranging for online payment of conference fees and dues.
Outreach and Publicity

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

Relocating OPSA’s institutional home.
Increasing online publication and distribution.
Managing a comprehensive website.
Emphasizing student papers.
Other areas that will be taken up by the leadership this fall include planning
for an extensive student recruitment effort and funding student scholarships.
The article was written by Dr. Tony Wohlers, who is President of the Oklahoma Political
Science Association and Director of Academic Enrichment at Cameron University.
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OU Hosts 2013 OPSA Conference
The University of Oklahoma hosted the 2013 Annual Conference of the Oklahoma Political Science
Association. The theme of the conference was “Engaging Oklahoma, Engaging the World.” There
were over twenty research panels, roundtables, and public lectures from state and national voices in
political science and public affairs.
University of Oklahoma Professor Keith Gaddie chaired the conference and
described it as a continuation of OPSA’s promotion of “rigorous research,
insightful teaching and collegiality in political science.”
More than 125 faculty members, panelists, presenters, and students attended
the two-day event, including the scholars whose photographs appear in this
article.
Dr. Charles S. Bullock
Dr. Charles Bullock, the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the
University of Georgia, delivered the keynote address, “Through a Glass Darkley:
2016 and Beyond.” As is OPSA’s custom, Dr. Bullock’s address will be the lead
article in this year’s Oklahoma Politics.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Scott Buchanan, the Executive Director of the Citadel
Symposium on Southern Politics, delivered an address titled, “Don’t Look Away
From Dixie: Why We Study Southern Politics.”
The 2013 Conference concluded with a lecture by Dr. Allen Hertzke, the David
Ross Boyd Professor of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma. His
presentation was titled “Political Ethnography of a People’s Struggle: From the
Beltway of DC to the Muddy Roads of South Sudan.”
Dr. Scott Buchanan
Dr. Allen Hertzke
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The 2013 Annual Conference was rich in quality and exceptionally well
managed.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art was the site of 2013
Annual Conference, which was held on the Norman
campus of the University of Oklahoma.
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OPSA Constitution Revised
OPSA’s governing document has undergone significant revisions. For several years the organization was governed
more by tradition than by its constitution. In fact, when the committee began working on revisions, it was hard to
find a copy of the document.
The committee’s purpose is to produce a workable governing arrangement. Because our organization generally only
meets once per year, much of the focus was on the office of the president and the executive director. In some
instances the president did not have the power to act when it was needed. In other instances power was unchecked.
The committee sought to rectify both situations. The executive director, a part-time, salaried position, needed
guidance and accountability requirements.
The original Constitution was established in 1991. It was a single
document that was easily amended by a majority of the members
present at a business meeting. In an effort to separate the
founding principles from the governing details, the new
arrangement includes two documents—a charter and bylaws. The
Charter lays the foundation for OPSA and sets out its organizational
structure. Amendments require a two-thirds supermajority of
qualified members who are present at the annual conference. The
bylaws stipulate operational specifics. They are amendable with a
simple majority of qualified voters.
The purpose of the organization was redefined to promote
political science research, teaching, and collegiality within the
discipline. The original purpose focused on providing a professional association, a worthy but less active goal.
Rick Farmer
The charter identifies all Oklahoma political science faculty and students as members. However, only dues-paying
members may vote or hold office, among other benefits.
The Executive Council is expanded to include the two vice presidents, the two past presidents, students, and
appointees. The president and the associate vice president have an equal number of appointments to the Executive
Council. This dilution of power encourages participation by more diverse elements, without making the board so
large that a quorum is difficult to establish. The Council is the primary governing body of the association. Any officer
of OPSA, including the president, may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council.
An audit committee is established and each year will publish a financial report in the newsletter.
The new charter and bylaws make it easier for the association to act throughout the year, not just at the annual
meetings. They also produce sufficient safeguards to protect the association and the membership. The charter and
bylaws place the president in a powerful position, while preserving oversight by the Executive Council and the
membership.
This article was written by Dr. Rick Farmer, who is a longtime OPSA member and currently serves as Executive
Director of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission
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Joining OPSA
There is no charge for a basic membership to the Oklahoma Political Science Association. Political
science faculty members are automatically registered as members. In order for students, public
administrators, elected officials, and others to become members, a brief application must be
submitted, but there is no fee.
Those wishing to elevate their support of OPSA may choose a sustaining membership, which is
available for a modest yearly dues payment and includes additional benefits. The table below provides
details about the two types of membership and the benefits associated with each.
You may join at OPSA online or by contacting OPSA’s executive director, Ms. Nan Melton, at
executivedirector_@yahoo.com.
Dues & Fees
Benefits & Privileges
Membership
Category1
Annual
Dues2
Conference
Fee
Quarterly
Newsletter
Journal
(electronic)
Directory
(electronic)
Voting
Rights
Hold
Office
Faculty – Basic
0
$75
√
-
-
-
-
Faculty – Sustaining
$20
$75
√
√
√
√
√
Student – Basic
0
$153
√
-
-
-
-
Student – Sustaining
$10
$153
√
√
√
-
-
Affiliate4 - Basic
0
$75
√
-
-
-
-
Affiliate4 - Sustaining
$20
$75
√
√
√
√
√
Lifetime5
0
$30
√
√
√
√
√
1
The membership year is October 1 through September 30.
2
Membership dues are tax deductible. OPSA is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3
The Conference fee is waived if the student’s college or university is an institutional member.
4
OPSA welcomes anyone who wishes to join the organization as an affiliate member.
5
Lifetime members pay a one-time fee of $100.
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Contacting OPSA
Contact OPSA
Postal Mail
Ms. Nan Melton
Email
executivedirector_@yahoo.com
OPSA Executive Director
Phone
913-485-8225
Rogers State University
Fax
918-343-6800
1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74017
2014 Officers and Council Members
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Tony Wohlers
President
Editor, Oklahoma Politics
Cameron University
John Wood
Past President, 2012
Rose State College
Steve Housel
Past President, 2011
Co-editor, OPSA Newsletter
Rogers State University
Rick Farmer
Appointed
Workers’ Compensation Commission
Keith Gaddie
Appointed
University of Oklahoma
Richard Johnson
Appointed
Oklahoma City University
Aaron Mason
Appointed
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Christine Pappas
Appointed
East Central University
Cadena Genesis
Student Member
Oklahoma City Community College
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Biosketch: Nan Melton
Ms. Nan Melton is the executive director of the Oklahoma Political Science Association. She began
her tenure in March 2012. In addition to her professional work for OPSA, Nan is the full time
administrative assistant
to the Vice President for
Academic Affairs at
Rogers State University.
Her responsibilities for
the VPAA are varied and
challenging. For
example, she planned
and executed the
Nan Melton, OPSA Executive Director
university’s
commencement
exercises the past three years. Included in her varied professional background are experiences in the
areas of health and safety, product management, travel planning, and client relations.
She earned an undergraduate degree in French (magna cum laude) from Rockhurst University in
Kansas City and has completed post-graduate credits in counseling psychology. Nan is well versed in
top-tier Microsoft Office software programs and completing a variety of government reports.
Ms. Melton also teaches French language and culture at Alliance Française of Tulsa.
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Institutional Members
The Oklahoma Political Science Association is an open organization--anyone who wishes may join at
no charge.
Free membership is made possible in large part because of the contributions of institutional
members. Their support also helps fund the annual peer reviewed journal (Oklahoma Politics), the
statewide conference, the student and faculty awards, the OPSA Newsletter, and the Oklahoma Political
Science Directory.
Students of institutional members may attend the Annual OPSA Conference for free.
2014 Institutional Members

Cameron University

Oklahoma City University

East Central University

Rogers State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Rose State College

Oklahoma Baptist University

University of Central Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University

University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College
In addition to helping make possible OPSA’s events and activities, there are many other benefits of
institutional membership. Departments of institutional members will:
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
Receive print and electronic copies of Oklahoma Politics, the only peer-reviewed
journal of Oklahoma politics in the state.

Receive a print copy of Oklahoma Political Science Directory, which is an annually
updated listing of every political science professor in Oklahoma who is a full time
faculty member, including their contact information, academic background, and
areas of scholarly interest.

Be listed as an institutional member in OPSA’s quarterly newsletters, annual
conference program, and website.

Be included as a sponsor of OPSA’s awards: Teacher of the Year, Scholar of the
Year, Best Graduate Paper, Best Undergraduate Paper, Robert Darcy Lifetime
Achievement Award, and Saundra Mace Service Award.
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Biosketch: John Wood
Do individual lives have themes? If there are any unifying principles to the life of former OPSA
President John Wood, one of them is seeking to bring people together, despite their differences.
Hailing from Oklahoma and graduating from Oklahoma State University, John is a former U.S.
Marine, the vice mayor of Guthrie, a member of its City Council, an ethics reform advocate, past
president of OPSA, a member of Common Cause, president of Guthrie Noon
Lions, and a professor at Rose State college where he just won the college’s
Teaching Excellence Award.
Two years ago John worked on final implementation of a $20,000 grant in
Homa Bay, Kenya, which provided training in food crop cultivation for Kenyan
women.
As with all of our lives, digging a little deeper reveals a multitude of themes. To learn more about
OPSA’s John Wood, his blog is http://woodforguthrie.blogspot.com/.
The photograph is of John
Wood and villagers in Homa
Bay, a town in western Kenya.
He participated in a farming
project that was designed to
provide widows with the
technical know-how to
develop alternative sources of
income.
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