Oral History Association
Mid-Winter Meeting Minutes
February 14-16, 2014
Friday, February 14
Present: Stephen Sloan, Paul Ortiz, Anne Valk, Jeff Friedman, Dan Kerr, Amy Starecheski, Cliff Kuhn,
Gayle Knight
The meeting was called to order at 7:43 PM.
It was moved, seconded and carried to approve the minutes of October, 2013 with addition of Valk and
Starecheski to list of those present on Saturday, October 12.
Executive Office Report (Kuhn and Knight)
Kuhn reviewed revenue opportunities for 2014.
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HISTORY (History Channel) has committed to sponsoring OHA for $10,000 in 2014. OHA will
continue to work on distribution of oral history best practices for grades 4-12 document that OHA
produced in 2013 and will also consult on civil rights projects related to the 50th anniversary of
the Civil Rights Act.
Veterans History Project – OHA now sharing workshop coordination with the American Folklore
Society. OHA should receive about $2400 in administrative revenue from the Library of
Congress.
Kuhn very pleased with selection of Stephanie Gilmore as interim editor for the Oral History Review
when Nasstrom is on sabbatical. Kuhn reported that finding an interim director was the hardest challenge
of 2013.
Knight reviewed proposed operating budget for 2014. Kuhn discussed possibility of salary increase. If
his salary does increase, OHA will need to offset the increase by paying more to Georgia State. This
would probably be in the $400-$1600 range.
Discussed possibility of transferring a lump sum of operating reserve to the endowment. Based on
Finance Committee recommendation of how much to hold in operating reserve, up to $35,000 could be
transferred.
Discussed desire to “re-brand” OHA with new logo and template of fonts, colors, etc. that could be used
for all our publications, website, etc. This effort might include a brochure, development materials for 50th
anniversary fundraising, etc. Council in agreement that OHA staff should begin this process with graphic
design assistance.
President’s Report
Award committees are in place using the new 3-year rotating system.
Sloan discussed formation of a Membership Committee to consider all the aspects of OHA
membership—retention, benefits, rates, etc. Sloan is in the process of recruiting committee members.
Council discussed possibility of bringing the administration of membership back to the OHA office.
Currently, Oxford University Press handles renewals and new members. Oxford creates difficulties for
our members due to their confusing website, foreign transaction rates, sales tax being charged, and
difficult customer service.
Staff has been looking at membership software and believes OHA could be ready to begin the
membership renewal process in the fall rather than have Oxford undertake this. This change would
require a careful look at what Oxford provides and what we would be required to provide to Oxford if
OHA ran membership. It was the sense of Council to proceed with investigating how OHA would
manage membership.
Sloan reported that the issue of the incomplete pamphlet on oral history for post-secondary teachers has
been settled. OHA will not pay the author any fees. OHA will provide a letter describing the portion of
the work that was completed for the author’s University.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Saturday, February 15
Present: Stephen Sloan, Paul Ortiz, Anne Valk, Jeff Friedman, Dan Kerr, Amy Starecheski, Troy Reeves,
Cliff Kuhn, Gayle Knight. Regennia Williams and Janet Rechtman participated via conference call.
The meeting was called to order at 8:35 AM.
2014 Annual Meeting Report (Paul Ortiz)
Plans well underway for strong meeting in Madison.
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Submissions are looking strong with many international applicants.
Discussed desire to clarify rules about presenters participating in consecutive conferences since
attendance is sometimes linked to program participation.
The new abstract submission software is working well and will be even stronger after we learn
from this year.
Discussed videotaping sessions. Clips could be used on the website, posted on YouTube, used for
50th anniversary celebration, etc.
Council would like to begin this practice with plenary and keynote sessions. Permission would be
required from presenters, and office would be responsible for use of video.
The Program Committee submitted a report with information on proposed plenary sessions and special
features. Committee still working to get commitments from those involved.
A draft budget has been prepared, and program chairs and Ortiz will work to keep costs down. Close
proximity of meeting space for receptions and special events will help budgeting for 2014.
Local Arrangements Committee (Troy Reeves)
Reeves reported that the committee has a strong group of almost 20 volunteers. They are working on
tours, compiling activities for meeting attendees to do on their own, procuring locations for meeting
events outside the hotel, and working on a community showcase for Saturday in the Exhibit Hall.
Discussed networking possibilities for room sharing, reaching out to local presses, and compiling a list of
alternative affordable lodging.
Oral History Review Editor’s Report (Nasstrom)
Discussed ongoing issues with Oxford University Press and copyediting. Editors feel that having OHA
copyedit would eliminate hassle with Oxford and result in higher standards. Discussed members with
copyediting skills who might be interested. Nasstrom could organize conference call with Oxford to
initiate this process and research payment rates for copyeditors. Council approved motion for OHA to hire
a copyeditor for the Oral History Review and discontinue copyediting by Oxford University Press.
Nasstrom continued her report:
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OHR editors pleased to have Stephanie Gilmore as part of the team.
Short form article initiative doing well.
The amount and quality of submissions has increased.
Oxford marketing team is good.
Committee Reports
Nominating Committee (Ortiz)
OHA commends Sady Sullivan for her work. The Nominating Committee presents the following slate for
Council:
1st Vice President: Doug Boyd
Council seat #1: Teresa Barnett and Kristine Navarro-McElhaney
Nominating Committee Seat 1: Charlie Hardy and Rebecca Sharpless
Nominating Committee Seat 2: Jeff Corrigan and Joanna Hay
Nominating Committee Seat 3: Mimi Lok and Rosie Jade Uyola
It was moved, second and carried that the slate is approved as proposed.
Publications Committee
Doug Lambert will chair the committee this year and hopes the committee will have an increased role in
OHA activities. Discussed existing pamphlets and the continued interest in these printed guides shown
by community historians and groups. A guide to Veterans oral history could be explored. Reviewing Oral
History in the Digital Age website for possible ongoing contributions and maintenance may be a useful
role for committee.
Committee on Diversity
 Committee would like to sponsor at least two sessions in Madison.
 Tami Albin with work on Program Committee.
 Talking with Richard Davis, jazz bassist and professor at UW, about participating in annual
meeting.
 Would like to work in tandem with local arrangements to involve Davis and the community in the
meeting.
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Committee has been sending blogs for OHA website.
Education Committee
 Committee members completed History Channel document on principles and best practices for
oral history work in grades 4-12.
 Collecting K-12 oral history resources to post on OHA website.
 Would like to include links for “informal” education and not just for teachers.
 Committee wants to continue collecting syllabi as resources to share.
 Hope to sponsor a session at the annual meeting.
Scholarship Committee
 Teresa Bergen is the new chair of the committee.
 The committee requests direction on activities beyond awarding scholarships that could be
helpful.
 One idea is putting together “tips for an affordable meeting” to help more people be able to attend
the meeting.
 Calinda Lee, former chair, will send her score sheet and directions to Teresa.
International Committee
 OHA had a large number of international participants at 2013 annual meeting.
 Leslie McCartney has been regularly submitting blog post for the OHA website.
 Committee plans to have a table at IOHA conference in Madrid where there will be a large OHA
presence.
Membership
Staff interested in having OHA manage individual membership. It remains difficult to join through
Oxford and impersonal customer service is not helping OHA membership. Oxford would probably
continue to manage institutional and corporate members. Discussed contract implications and need for
some re-negotiation of contract. Council approved motion to take membership in house before
September 2014 so that 2015 renewals would be processed by OHA.
Sloan proposed establishing a membership committee to discuss membership items such as categories and
rates, benefits, consortia, and life membership and make recommendations. It was the sense of Council to
develop a membership committee.
Charge to Executive Director
Discussed priority items for 2014. These include:
 Plan strategy for long-term development campaign including year-end letter, outreach to past
presidents, and 50th anniversary gifts
 Continue to improve website including the addition of more educational content;
 Explore idea of OHA offering oral history workshops or endorsing certain workshops
 Partnering with organizations that allow OHA to move from the edges to the center of the
conversation on the practice of oral history.
Council adjourned at noon for tour of Madison Concourse Hotel.
Council called to order at 1:50 PM.
Strategic Planning Session
Janet Rechtman, strategic planning consultant from the Fanning Institute at University of Georgia, joined
Council via conference call to discuss and review action items in the Strategic Plan. After making slight
modifications to plan as written, Council approved motion to adopt the 2014 Strategic Plan. Council then
spent time prioritizing action items based on Rechtman’s recommended approach.
Protocol for Partnerships and Special Initiatives
As Executive Director, Kuhn is often asked for OHA to be involved in projects. This involvement brings
up a number of concerns. Developed protocol for evaluating potential partnerships to help provide
guidance. After discussing the document, Council approved motion to accept the Protocol for
Partnerships and Special Initiatives.
Committee appointments
Sloan prepared handout of committee replacements. Committees have been updated for 2014.
Finance committee
Staff following recommendations of Finance committee made in 2013. OHA is investing in Vanguard
500 Index fund in four installments from December through August, 2014. First purchase of shares
completed.
Statement of Oral History as Research
Kuhn discussed need for OHA to develop a statement on oral history as research, similar to the statement
developed by NCPH, AHA and OAH on public history. It would be useful guidance for tenure review,
outside review of interviews, the OHA award process, etc. The document would focus on research aspects
of oral history interviews and characterize oral history as scholarship. OHA would work with other
professional organizations to develop the document and ask for their support of final statement. It was the
sense of Council to move forward with statement on oral history as research.
The meeting adjourned at 5:08 PM.
Sunday, February 16
Present: Stephen Sloan, Paul Ortiz, Anne Valk, Jeff Friedman, Dan Kerr, Amy Starecheski, Cliff Kuhn,
Gayle Knight
The meeting was called to order at 9:08 AM.
2015 Annual Meeting (Valk)
Valk reported good progress on plans for 2015 meeting in Tampa.
 Martha Norkunas and Sharon Utakis will be program co-chairs
 Barbara Lewis volunteered to head local arrangements committee.
 “Oral History and the Public” is a possible theme.
 Have made contacts with the Florida Humanities Council
2016 Annual Meeting (Kuhn)
 OHA interested in having 2016 meeting in California to honor 50th anniversary.
 Not feasible to have meeting at the original location from 1966.
 Discussed possible California locations and proposed site of Long Beach.
 Council approved motion to accept contract with Long Beach Renaissance Hotel for 2016.
 2016 theme will likely honor OHA’s past, present and future.
 Will begin to develop 50th anniversary planning committee.
 Plans for a special edition of OHR are underway.
New Business
Council approved motion to transfer $35,000 from OHA operating account to OHA endowment.
Council approved motion to raise the OHA per diem for travel to $50 per day.
Council approved motion to hire graphic designer to undertake re-branding of OHA including:
 New logo
 Consistent look across platforms
 Style guide including colors, fonts, and variations on logo
Kuhn reported that ACLS membership will vote on accepting OHA as member organization at their May
meeting.
Sloan and Knight to create centralized document collection that can be used by officers and Council via
Dropbox folders.
Council wants to return to issue of Fair Use for future discussion. Possible session for 2015 meeting.
Old Business
Adopted 2014 budget.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 AM.