2003 DIC Business Meeting Minutes

Thursday, November 20th, 9:00-11:00 A.M.

Beverly Room, Adams Mark Hotel, Denver, Colorado

The meeting was called to order by Rosemary Barberet, Chair. Other officers present were Liqun Cao, Nancy Grosselfinger, and Alex Vaszonyi later joined by Cindy Smith. At the opening of the meeting approximately 12 persons were present.

The meeting was guided by a previously posted and distributed 26 point agenda accompanied by a one page summary financial report submitted by Bonnie S. Fisher, Treasurer.

The minutes of the 2002 meeting, which were also previously circulated, were moved to be accepted by Barbara Owen, without correction.

The results of the 2003 DIC elections were announced: Rosemary Barberet re-elected Chair, Bonnie Fisher re-elected Treasurer, Bill McDonald – Secretary. Alex Vaszonyi, who oversaw the election, reported 83 ballots were returned of the 300+ mailed. The results were almost unanimous, with only one or two write-ins.

Rosemary Barberet presented with the Chair’s Report. During her interaction with the ASC Board last year she was advised they had no intention of changing their reporting standards for ASC’s “Ambassadors”. She proposed that ASC alter its membership fees in keeping with gross domestic product (GDP) figures in order to encourage more affordable international memberships from colleagues in the less prosperous parts of the world. She planned to further that argument by suggesting that DIC ‘give’ membership to persons coming from Categories B & C in the GDP schema. A discussion about the number of countries in the B & C category, “guest subscribers” i.e. not members but recipients, DIC subsidizing B&C category members. It was moved and adopted that free memberships be given to persons seeking DIC membership and coming from countries in B& C categories [for which the Chair provided a chart.]

The Chair also reported she had informed the Board that ASC had been granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the U.N.. She asked that they consider putting wording on ASC letterhead stationary which reflected this (suggested wording “An NGO in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC”) as permitted by NGO Rules and practiced by other similarly situated organizations, both for information and recognition of this status.

Current Issues included the Thursday, 2:40pm meeting with Dr. Slawomir Redo of the U.N. in a specially sponsored session geared to exploring the possibility of collaboration on a criminal justice reformers video to be utilized at the 2005 U.N. Crime Congress. Also mention was made of a field visit to the nearby Office of Victims of Crime Demonstration Project in Denver on Friday, 9-10:30, and reservations for the luncheon on Friday at 11:30.

Membership is now the largest for DIC of any Division, with 411 members. The Membership Committee is comprised of Elena Licu, Mahfuszul Khondaker, Lynn Brandon-Hanson, and Nancy Grosselfinger [for cultivating international members].

INTER-NEWS, the DIC newsletter, now runs 20-30 pages per issue and is produced three times per year. It is always in need of articles and information to circulate (electronically or a few still by traditional mail).

2003-2005 Objectives identified by the Chair were 1. Encourage excellency in comparative/international scholarship, 2. Play a leading role in our role as a recognized NGO at the UN, 3. Increase student membership and membership from developing nations, 4. Liase more closely with the ASC Board and with other ASC divisions and committees in achieving internationalisation of the ASC.

The discussion of these proposed objectives included reference to encouraging excellence in scholarship thru a DIC affiliated journal, playing a leading role as an NGO at the U.N., increasing memberships amongst students and those in the developing nations, working more closely with the Board and other Divisions so that all work becomes ‘internationalized’, monitoring funding sources for international and comparative opportunties. Contributions were made by Bill McDonald [in absentia] about the difficulty in obtaining access to international data sources. Nancy Grosselfinger pointed out that in the 1985 Crime Congress resolutions there was some language calling upon Member States to engage in research which could be utilized to remind and persuade reluctant Member State data holders. Dirk van Zyl Smit mentioned the need of Third World countries for ‘partnering’. Eventually a motion by Mahesh Nalla, seconded by Ineke Marshall, resolved to adopt these objectives.

Financial Report of Bonnie Fisher was referred to and explained. The ASC administration is in a process of decentralization in which more tasks are being devolved to Divisions [such as the Division elections process]. The annual DIC luncheon is partially subsidized by dues payments. This year the cost (from ASC) for envelope labels for the DIC election was $100. Award plaques cost money. Postage for mailing of newsletters is dropping as we move to an almost totally electronic format. There is an anticipation of additional expenses as the DIC associates itself with some journal (discussed below). Furthermore, this year, as in many years in the past, one recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award found himself unable to afford the costs affiliated with attendance at the meeting to accept the award in person.

Barbara Owen suggested creating a ‘trust fund’ from voluntary contributions which could be utilized to cover this and other such ‘extra costs’. This evolved into a more specific fund explicitly attached to the Distinguished Scholar’s Award [for transportation]. Jay Albanese further moved that ASC Board be asked to match any funds raised by DIC for this purpose. These motions were accepted.

The financial report was also accepted as presented.

DIC Web-page was explained by Liqun Cao who challenged Phil Reichel’s assessment of user satisfaction. The DIC membership list has been added, distinguishing between U.S. and non-U.S. [based] members. Sharon Chamard volunteered to join the Website Committee.

Hosting Service, headed by Alex Vazsonyi (guest/host) and Ineke Marshall (DIC resource table) reported this year there was not much interest in hosting, only two requests. Apparently the ASC administrative office is unable to distinguish new international members to the organization. Nancy Wonders asserted that Denver may not be the best city upon which to make a decision as it does not attract international visitors as much as other cities where ASC meetings are held. She suggested keeping the service for at least one more year [for Nashville] before deciding to abandon the practice. The DIC resource table was laden with materials and is always in need of volunteer staffing.

Distinguished Book Award was explained by committee chair Ineke Marshall. She acknowledged the committee members; Janice Joseph, Mahesh Nalla, Barbara Owen, and John Winterdyk. There were 12 books nominated, 10 of which were acceptable because they had a publication date of 2002, the other two having a 2003 publication date [and therefore eligible in the coming year]. The Committee did not meet face-to-face but via email. Each member read all of the books, ranked the top candidates 1, 2 or 3 and the book receiving the highest number of positive votes was declared the winner.

This year the award went to Martha K. Huggins, Mika Haritos-Fatouros, and Philip P. Zimbardo for Violence Workers: Police Torturers and Murders Reconstruct Brazilian Atrocities, University of California Press. 2002. The book is an empirical study of criminal justice employees in several cultures who engage in unlawful/excessive force/violence in the course of their professional criminal justice duties. ASC members were asked to postpone purchasing the book until ‘a deal’ for a 20% discount is finalized with the publisher. [Check the DIC website for notice.] Four copies of the book were donated by the authors for distribution to worthy sites of DIC’s choosing. A former student of Martha Huggins received the award on behalf of all the authors and expressed their gratitude for this recognition.

Marshall also registered several recommendations for decision-making criteria of the Committee. 1) The deadline for submission of nominations should be moved forward from July 1 as getting copies of the books and then moving them into the reviewing member’s hands over the summer proved difficult. 2) The international/comparative nature of the work should be emphasized. 3) It must be published in English. 4) It should demonstrate sound theoretical and methodological frameworks for the subject matter.

The DIC is seeking suggestions of places to send the four donated copies of the book.

Distinguished International Scholar Award was presented by Liqun Cao as Committee Chair. The other committee members were Dick Andzenge, Joan McCord, and Cristina Rechea-Alberola. There were two nominees. After a great deal of discussion they were unable to decide between the two, both of whom presented such worthy credentials, and so they decided to give the award to both.

One recipient was James Vadackumchery, Professor of Criminology, Police Training College, Kerala, India who was recognized as one of the leading criminologists in India. He was unable to attend to receive the award for financial reasons.

The other recipient was Wang Mu, Professor of Criminal Justice and Law at the Institute of Criminal Justice, China University of Politics and Law, Beijing, China. He was recognized for his efforts at popularizing criminology as an academic discipline in China and his achievement in advancing the understanding of the politics and economics of crime and crime control in China. He was unable to attend to receive the award because he encountered delays with the U.S. government in acquiring a visa timely.

Awards Committees for 2004 were solicited. The Book Award Committee volunteers consist of Edna Erez (Chair), Suzanne Karstedt, and Daniel Glaser. The Distinguished Scholar Committee consists of Alex Vazsonyi (Chair), Mahesh Nalla, Dirk van Zyl Smit, and Nancy Grosselfinger.

Division on Women and Crime authorized Nancy Wonders to speak instead of Heather Melton, their Ambassador to the DIC. Nancy Wonders expressed the DWC’s interest in regular linkages and collaboration in the future on international issues of mutual concern. She urged interested persons to attend the Business Meeting on Friday at 7:30am.

NIJ International Center Initiatives were explained by Jay Albanese, Director. He emphasized organizing better connections/links. Ineke Marshall asked if there would be any solicitations for feasibility studies to which the answer was ‘no’, however they do accept grassroots suggestions of ‘good ideas’. Now the nomenclature is ‘crime and justice research’ proposals. There are also research grant reviewer opportunities.

NIJ International Research Feasibility Study presentation listed for Harry Dammer was not covered because he did not attend.

DIC Journal Committee Report was presented by Rosemary Barberet. The Committee was composed of Rosemary Barberet (Chair), Paul Friday, Joan McCord, and Phyllis Schultze. Beside internet discussion they met earlier in the ASC meeting to finalize their report. They had reviewed several potential journals to affiliate with. Phyllis contributed information on each journal’s indexing coverage. They chose to recommend The International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, edited by Mahesh Nalla, published out of Michigan State University, based upon its longevity in print, relative quality, editor’s flexibility in terms of depth of input [advisory and editorial boards], and value for money.

Subject to ASC approval, the DIC would enter into a two year “memorandum of understanding” in which the DIC will be able to appoint five persons to the Advisory Board for terms of three years, ten persons to the Associate Editor Board for terms of three years [thus giving DIC 50% input] for the cost of $10 raise in DIC dues membership for two (2) issues of the journal per year beginning in 2005. The objective is to together, with the editorial management, raise a third tier journal to a second tier journal.

There was serious discussion about the decision to affiliate with a journal. Jay Albanese raised the nuance of journal affiliation and the wisdom of using scarce resources in this manner as opposed to other potential uses in the future. Joan McCord [at the journal meeting] had raised similar concerns suggesting mentoring international/comparative researchers so they could find acceptance in high quality mainstream journals might be a better route. Rosemary Barberet indicated the desire to open the journal up to international policy discussions.

This recommendation of affiliation with the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice was approved and will now be put to a balloted vote by the full DIC membership.

DIC Constitution and By-Laws Reform Proposals were circulated and discussed. The Chair explained the intent to create a Treasurer’s post on equal footing with the other officers, changing the language of Advisory Council to Executive Council, raising to at least four Executive Counselors from the current three, accelerating the timeframe for changes in the Constitution and By-Laws, creating a Program Committee to advise the larger ASC Program Committee on subjects ‘recommended’ by the DIC, creating a Web-page Committee, creating a Publications Committee (in anticipation of journal affiliation), creating a U.N. Representation team, structuring the nominations process [for elected office] better, providing for the DIC Chair as ex officio member on all Committees, and having Executive Counselors elected by the membership instead by volunteering.

Dirk van Zyl Smit suggested revision of language regarding the U.N. representation to drop “Vienna” in order to maximize possible venues. All agreed. Jay Albanese expressed concern about the election of U.N. representatives. There was suggestion that, in light of our growth and current membership numbers, ‘a quorum’ for conducting DIC business at the Annual Meeting should be changed from “1/5 of all Division members” to “10 members present”.

These modified revisions were approved and must now be put to a ballot vote by Division members.

ASC’s Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations was summarily presented in view of the previous day’s panel on the same subject. The presence of Dr. Slawomir Redo, a senior member of the U.N. Crime Commission Secretariat, at this ASC meeting was noted, especially his interest in finding collaborators for a U.N. short video on criminal justice reformers for presentation at the Crime Congress in 2005. Mention was made of Cindy Smith’s up-coming attendance at the International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council (ISPAC) meeting Courmayeur, Italy. The U.N. representatives’ 20 page Report to the Board and the DIC membership was referenced as being available now on the website and in hard copy at the Meeting. Cindy Smith’s attendance at meeting of the Alliance of NGO’s in NY this past year was noted, especially the roles ISPAC and the Alliance play in organizing the Ancillary Meetings for the Crime Congress. Subjects and plans of the Congress were referred to in a forthcoming ‘expression of interest’ form to be found on the DIC website which should be used by persons interested in advancing a proposed presentation in keeping with the themes outlined by the U.N.. Reference was also made to future planning for expansion of opportunities for ASC members in serving U.N. needs to be elaborated by the U.N. reps.

DIC’s presence in Nashville, especially the judicious use of ‘sponsored sessions’, panels and workshops related to the U.N. Crime Commission/Congress themes, and additional social events were mentioned by the Chair. It was noted that Bonnie Fisher is a Co-Chair of the Program and Liqun Cao is also a member and therefore DIC can look forward to full inclusion and consideration of its interests.

Any other business raised several issues from the floor. Barb Stolz reminded us of a session on international trafficking on Saturday morning. Another member, recalling a roundtable last year, requested another session on finding and filing a successful Fulbright application. Another person asked for greater care in not scheduling conflicting/competitive meetings or panels.

Volunteers were sought for Executive Counselors. Liqun Cao, Cindy Smith, Alex Vazsonyi expressed the desire to continue. Nancy Grosselfinger and Dick Andzenge expressed an interest in joining.

Rosemary Barberet noted that as current Chair of the ASC Committee, nominations were open for the Thorsten Sellin & Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck Award “given to those who reside outside of North America who have gained international recognition for their contributions to criminology”. The nomination should provide: 1) a letter evaluating the nominee’s contribution and its relevance to this award, 2) the nominee’s vita (short version preferred). Materials should be sent by March 1, 2004 to rbarbere@polsoc.uc3m.es

The group moved to approve the 2003-2005 Objectives and the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Grosselfinger

Out-going Secretary for

Bill McDonald

In-coming Secretary