Minutes of the CLAG Meeting, Las Vegas, March 24, 2009

Board members present:
Taylor E. Mack, Vice-Chair; David J. Robinson, Executive Director; Maria Fadiman, Secretary;
Jim Biles; Gerardo Bocco; Dan Klooster; Marie Price; Claudia Radel; Joseph Scarpaci; Margaret Wilder.

The CLAG meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Taylor E. Mack ( who ran the meeting for the president Eric Perramond who was unable to attend) at 7:00 pm, March 24, 2009
Previous minutes were unavailable for approval.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Ines Miyares was unable to attend the meeting, and various expenditures did not appear on the information presented, thus the report was considered incomplete for this year, and will be clarified next year.
JLAG Report:
David Robinson, editor of the Journal of Latin American Geography, presented an overview of the journal for members.
- As of 31 December, 2008, JLAG had 256 subscribers, representing a 12% increase over 2007.
- David presented statistics on the number of articles processed for JLAG in 2008. There were 20 submissions, 6 rejections, 5 withdrawn after review, 12 revised and re-submitted after review, 48 external reviews, 10 maps/graphics had to be redrawn, and a total of 456 e-mail messages concerning articles. Special thanks to his Editorial Assistant Claudia Asch.
- Details on JLAG volumes 5-8: Vol. 5(1)-6 articles, 4 book reviews, 145 pp; Vol. 5(2)-6 articles, 7 book reviews, 154 pp;Vol5 (1)-9 articles, 9 book reviews, 210pp; Vol. 6(2)-5 articles, 6 book reviews, 104 pp; Vol.7 (1) -9 articles, 8 book reviews, 233 pp; Vol. 7 92)-8 articles, 8 book reviews, 181 pp; Vol. 8(1)-9 articles, 10 book reviews, 211pp.
- David presented information about copies printed and expenditures: 300 copies of 7(1) were printed ($4,069.48) and 350 copies of 7(2) were printed ($ 4,968.12). There will be a $20 increase in institutional subscriptions foe subscription year 2010.
- Editorial and International Editorial Board membership changes:
  Retiring members: Bertha Becker, Sarah Radcliffe, Carlos Morera, Peter Herlihy, Sally Horn, Marie Price and Paul Hudson.
  New Members: Wendy Jepson, Associate Editor, Miguel Aguilar Robledo, Ana María Liberali, Alana Gilbert, Hugo Romero, George Lovell, Edda Samudio, Robert B. Kent, and William Woods.
- Project Muse Report:
  2008 there were 12, 842 downloads. David listed the top ten downloads with Dr. Schroeder having the most at 608.
- CLAG yearbooks online via Project MUSE
  Project MUSE has agreed to place all CLAG yearbook publications online from 1984-2000. Still under discussion is the issue of password protection of these articles.
  JLAG Other matters
  JLAG turned down the invitation from Maney Publishing to take over publishing the journal.
  JLAG applied to ISI to be included in their database/citation index, and has still received no reply.
CLAG webpage and CLAGnet (David Robinson reporting)
Accessed 221,706 times from January 1 to December 31 2008.
CLAGnet has a total of 220 members, 183 US members, 22 Latin American members, 8 Canadian members, and 7 European members.
CLAG archive (David Robinson reporting)
The archive is now established at Syracuse University at http://archives.syr.edu/archives/collections/org_non_su/clag/ or via the CLAG webpage. The conference bags have been archived. Any papers, photos and slides related to CLAG's history can be sent to David
Development in the U.S. National Geography Section of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History.
David Robinson has been re-appointed as the US Representative for the Geography Commission. In the future they would like to organize special sessions at AAG and CLAG. David Robinson can be contacted for details on the working committees that have been formed.
David has set up new websites for the US National Section http://sites.maxwell.syr.edu/PAIGH/ and the PAIGH Geography Commission http://sites.maxwell.syr.edu/paigh/geocomm.htm
Proposed Change to CLAG Bylaws: to read as follows
The Privacy Statement for Members Personal Information.
- Section 1. "The conference of Latin Americanist Geographers shall collect the necessary personal information of its members to facilitate the mailing of JLAG, and to operate the CLAGnet listserv."
-Section 2. "The personal information of the CLAG members will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the items listed in Section 3. These policies may only be modified by a majority vote of all Board Members."
A motion was made and seconded to accept the proposed change as submitted, and passed by proclamation.
Discussion/suggestions for CLAG "named honors" The idea was raised that people nominated should no longer be actively working in their departments through retirement or passing away. Suggestions included having internationally recognized people. Members are encouraged to send nominations.
Announced that 4 board members will be replaced on July 1, thus the election will be in April-May. An announcement would be made on CLAGnet by Eric Perramond, Chair, to solicit nominations for board members with a deadline of April 15th.
"CLAG Meeting May 2010" Bogotá 2010 May 26-28, based at the Universidad de los Andes.
Other Business The board decided that The CLAG Awards, such as the Carl Sauer and Preston James Awards will be published on the website and the newsletter and not in JLAG.
The people who nominated the CLAG Award Winners should send the write-up to Taylor to be included in the Newsletter
Idea was raised to have an annual "CLAG lecture" at the AAG. This was met with general approval. Joe Scarpaci discussed his efforts to increase membership. He has been gently reminding departments with Latin Americanists, past award recipients and previous members to renew.
The issue was raised about the AAG African Specialty Group having the AAG take over the publication of their journal. It was stated that CLAG does not want to do the same.
David Robinson sent the Instituto de Geografía y Conservación de Recursos Naturales a congratulations on behalf of CLAG for their 50th Anniversary.
The Board members encouraged submissions for the Student Field Award.
Conclusion of the Business Meeting
CLAG Vice-Chair, Taylor Mack, closed the meeting at 7:38 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Maria Fadiman, CLAG Secretary