Esperantic Studies Foundation Program Planning Meeting
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 1pm PST (4 EST)
Present:
HT
MF
GG
IR
WDT
BFG
Regrets:
Recording Secretary:
Jason Clark
Agenda
Approval of previous meeting minutes (May 10 AGM and May 24 Program Planning Meeting) –
will be approved at the next meeting
1. Interlingual Research Committee (IRC) Report (Strategic Area 1)
1.2 Review of IRC Proposals
New proposal from Columbia University. The committee has approved one candidate
(Nergis Erturk) for a $10,000 research grant.
HT mentioned that the candidate comes with a number of pluses and minuses.
MF reviewed the research proposal for the group.
HT noted that this latest study shares some similarities with Sho Konishi’s research project.
GG asked for clarification about the fact that the grant will be awarded under the auspices of
Columbia University even though ESF is the funding source.
HT and MF explained the arrangement for the group.
All directors approved the award.
Resolution 06/05-2: THAT A $10,000 RESEARCH GRANT BE AWARDED TO Nergis Erturk for
an investigation of linguistic modernism in Turkey in the 1920’s and 30’s. Terms of payment will
be defined by Dr. Mark Fettes and Columbia University. CARRIED.
Proposal to develop a pilot project to develop an Esperanto spoken language corpus
(Christer Lörnemark).
MF indicated that the funding request is for just under $48,520. The project would produce an
initial corpus of approximately 100,000 words.
HT asked the group why such a project would be important.
BFG indicated that it would be useful because the corpus would provide information on how
speakers actually use the language.
The developers suggest the following uses of the corpus: it would provide for the establishment
of frequently used word lists and a means to compare them with a written corpus; it would
enable studies in pedagogy and phraseology; it would document the use of Esperanto for
different activities; it could enable a study on the influence of a native language on the use of
Esperanto; it could provide a means for investigations of verbal and non-verbal language usage
as well as other applications.
WDT asked how much of the funding request would involve travel expenses.
MF reviewed the budget with the board. Most of the project funds would be spent in 2006.
WDT indicated a preference to spread the expenses over two years.
MF and HT indicated that we will still be on track to spend roughly the same amount as we do
each year.
MF reiterated that this is a larger project and it would be on a par with projects like Lernu.net or
Edukado.net. He noted that most of the expenses are owing to labour costs. There are some
additional travel expenses and equipment costs.
WDT asked how people would access the corpus.
MF noted that the corpus could be made available online or perhaps on a cd-rom.
HT mentioned that the Directors approval of the project would be contingent upon MF and the
developers reaching a satisfactory agreement on the development schedule and the means by
which people will access the corpus.
HT asked MF to ask the developers whether other examples of spoken Esperanto are available.
GG mentioned that ELNA used to offer cassettes of spoken Esperanto to interested parties.
IR mentioned that he was aware of some other recorded materials.
BFG indicated that she also knew of some Esperanto radio broadcasts.
HT suggested that ESF search out these early recordings and preserve them.
MF suggested that ESF ask the developers to collect together certain archived materials that
would be of interest to ESF.
All directors approved the project.
Resolution 06/05-3: THAT PRELIMINARY APPROVAL for an Interlingual Research Project
Grant of up to US $48,520 be awarded to Christer Lörnemark. Funding will be conditional on the
outcome of a meeting between Mark Fettes and Christer Lörnemark in Gothenburg in June. Mark
Fettes will define the terms of the grant at this meeting in Gothenburg. CARRIED.
Suggestions from Sonja and Hokan (S&H) for their work for next year.
MF noted that their proposal does not require an immediate decision from the board. He
indicated that S&H would simply like to receive some indication from ESF as to whether their
proposed projects could be funded next year.
MF reviewed some of the proposed projects for the group.
MF asked for an expression of opinion from board members.
HT noted that these proposals would involve the funding of existing projects and less so on the
funding of new projects.
MF believes that S&H have good technical expertise and they are well positioned to identify new
projects that may be of interest to ESF.
WDT indicated that he would be in support of continuing ESF’s relationship with S&H.
HT suggested possible responses to S&H. He noted that the board might convey their interest, in
principle, of continuing the relationship.
MF suggested that he, GG and HT discuss the matter further and craft a response to S&H.
1.3 Planning for the Hartford Conference (Tonkin)
HT reviewed the current situation. He recently held a meeting with the co-organizers of the
conference.
As it turns out, ESF may be able to use some of the conference funding to hold a meeting of the
Advisory Board. ESF would propose to the university that it will provide $5000 and we will
request the university to match those funds.
The funding request to the board would thus be for $5,000. This would be submitted as a grant
to the University of Hartford.
MF asked the group about the “value-add” of the conference for ESF.
HT noted that it will be a good networking opportunity for ESF. It will also help to further cement
ESF’s relationship with Columbia University. Finally, it will help to increase recognition of
Esperanto in North American academic circles.
All directors approved the conference grant for $5,000.
Resolution 06/05-4: THAT Humphrey Tonkin receive US $5,000 to assist with the planning
and organization of the Hartford (Translation?) Conference slated to occur in the Fall, 2006.
CARRIED.
1.4 Consideration of "stipendia projekto" - Dulicxenko (Tonkin)
HT reviewed the latest proposal for this project. The request is for 1600 Euros.
HT indicated that he is unsure how to proceed at this point.
MF offered his support for the project.
IR offered his support as did the other directors.
MF will pass on the decision to the project personnel.
Resolution 06/05-5: THAT ESF provide funding of up to 1600 euros for Dulicxenko’s “stipendia
projekto”. CARRIED.
2. Education Committee (EC) Report (Strategic Area 2)
2.1 Review of EC Proposals
NASK 2007
GG reviewed the latest information about NASK 2007 from the UCSD. He noted that the student
fees would be comparable, but the instructor salary would be noticeably less than the current
rate.
GG is still waiting for details concerning housing options. He is hoping that the university will be
able to house NASK students in one central location.
GG is also concerned about the fees that will be charged to International students. A final
decision has not been settled yet.
HT asked if GG needs any further assistance from ESF.
GG indicated that he did not and that he is now awaiting further decisions from the university.
HT asked the board if it should mention to SIT that it might move NASK elsewhere next year.
MF suggested that we consider holding an east coast NASK at SIT every few years; this may
enable ESF to maintain its ties to SIT.
MF noted that ESF’s relationship with SIT is very amicable and that it may be ok to mention that
ESF may move NASK next year.
HT will take steps to inform SIT about this prospect.
MF suggested that the board should make a decision about the move by the end of June.
The board will try to make a decision during its June 28, 2006 meeting.
3. Operational Review (Strategic Areas 3 & 4)
3.1 Discussion concerning contacts with other organizations (e.g., IR's report on
complimentary associations/foundations; review of the Hodler Report)
MF reviewed some of the strategic priorities under areas 3 and 4.
MF suggested reviewing Strategic Area 3 during the present meeting. Strategic Area 4 can be
discussed at the next meeting of the board.
HT noted that the upcoming Hartford Conference falls under our goals for Area 3, as would the
Nitobe initiative.
IR noted that he has made efforts to contact the Advisory Board, but so far, none of the Advisors
have responded.
MF indicated that there is an existing list serv available through the Nitobe website. ESF could
consider linking to this list. However, it may be more worthwhile for ESF to develop a North
American list serv community.
HT suggested that ESF could open the Hartford Advisory Board meeting to all interested parties.
ESF could also invite prospective Advisors to the meeting.
IR reviewed the list of organizations that may be potential research or educational partners for
ESF.
The directors agreed to review Ian’s list for the next meeting and to discuss ways
that ESF might strike up relationships with certain of these organizations.
Next Meeting: Wed., June 28 at 1pm PST (4 EST)