GAMS Minutes for Wednesday, 22 October, 2003
 
The third organizational meeting for G.A.M.S. was called to
order by Ms. Tiffany Adams. The following members were
present:
 Mrs. Tiffany Boyd-Adams, President
 Mrs. Keely Byars-Nichols, Vice President of Pedagogy
 Mrs. Fara Sneddon, Vice President of Public Relations
 Ms. Ondra Thomas-Krouse, Vice President of
Administration
 Ms. Anastasia Wright, Vice President of Conferencing
 Dr. Barbara McCaskill, Advisor
 
The following business items were discussed:
 
Old Business
Ms. Wright reported that the group has narrowed its guest
speaker list to two possibilities: Dr. Ronald Takaki (1st
Preference) and Dr. Jace Weaver (2nd Preference)
 
New Business - Conference Report
• The group decided on May 21-22 as the official date
of the G.A.M.S. Conference.
 
• The Spring Conference will feature a combination of
panel and round table discussions.  Dr. Edith Trout Powell
is the group’s first preference to lead the Culminating
Round Table Discussion.
 
• Dr. McCaskill also suggested that G.A.M.S. contact
other UGA graduate organizations to seek a representative
from each group to work collaboratively on identifying ideas
for panel and round table discussions.
 
• Mrs. Sneddon will contact organizations such as the
Georgia Review and UGA Press to have display tables at the
conference.
 
• Dr. McCaskill also suggested that G.A.M.S.
brainstorm with Dr. Wong (in charge of the English Dept.’s
Special Event Planning and Fund Raising) regarding funding
sources and planning an opening reception and closing
dinner. She suggested that we have Dr. Wong promote the
conference in Park Hall Marks, as well as doing a feature
story on the G.A.M.S. organization.
 
• Ms. Wright is responsible for running CFPs by Dr.
Wong, as well, and to ensure that the CFPs are also run in
the following venues:
-ALA -CLA
  -U. of Penn. website
-ASA Newsletter -MELUS New Notes
-ASAIL -MLS Announcements List
-ASALH -SAMLA
 
• Mrs. Wright will present a first draft of
the “official� CFPs by the week ending October 31, 2003.
The final draft is due on 1 November, listing February 1 as
the due date for conference papers. The CFP will also
suggest panel and round table ideas for the conference. The
CFPs should encourage potential presenters to submit their
paper abstracts by the February 1 deadline in order to have
their abstracts included in the “official� Conference
Proceedings.
 
• The group has decided to award monetary prizes to
the “best� papers.
 
• Dr. McCaskill suggested that the group purchase name
tags that hang around attendees’ necks rather than those
attached with pins.
 
• Mrs. Wright is to contact the local Chamber of
Commerce for conference souvenir items.
 
Pedagogy Report
• According to President Boyd-Adams, Dr. Desmet wants
to conduct an official text book search for English 1102M.
Dr. Miller will forward a list of text book options to
President Boyd-Adams.
 
• President Boyd-Adams reminded the group that the
goal is to have an English 1102M text book in place by Fall,
2004. The ideal text will provide more of an historic
approach to engaging students of multicultural literature.
 
• Mrs. Byars-Nichols presented a draft of the English
1102M Course Description, which should be included on the
G.A.M.S. website.
 
Public Relations Report
• President Boyd-Adams is revising the G.A.M.S.
Statement of Purpose for the G.A.M.S. website so that it
includes a concise definition of “Multiculturalism.�
 
• Mrs. Sneddon asked that Mrs. Byars-Nichols send the
English 1102M and 2400 syllabi to her as e-mail attachments
so that she can set them up as links on the G.A.M.S.
website.
 
Action Items:
Ms. Thomas-Krouse is to maintain an official log of G.A.M.S.
meetings, resolutions and other information related to the
G.A.M.S. organization.
 
Next Meeting Date/Time/Location
Wednesday, 5 November 2003/4:45pm/Park Hall Ground Floor
(Room #, TBA)
 
President Boyd-Adams adjourned the meeting at 5:50pm.