Minutes from CSLI Student Club meeting Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. in Careers 155

The club met today (Friday) to discuss club matters.  The main agenda items discussed were:

(1)    Brown bag meetings with candidates for local and state offices.  Dr. Nataf (DN) mentioned that he had encountered Zina Pierre – an African-American woman candidate for mayor who proved successful in the Democratic primaries on Tuesday.  She is willing to meet with the club at a time/date to be determined.   DN said that the club needed to consider whether it would simply invite whomever it wanted – perhaps based on a vote of club members – or whether there might be an obligation to ask other candidates for the same office to also come to a brown bag event.  There was a protracted discussion of the pros and cons of having one candidate at a time versus a panel – with the general point being that if the goal was to have a relatively small event -  then inviting more than one candidate would increase the formality of the candidates’ presentations, and possibly impede the lively exchange of views.  Naturally, it is possible that a group of say three candidates could be given a few minutes each to present themselves – but remember that with their opponents in the room, each will have a propensity to be guarded and careful in their statements.  So the decision about format is important as it structures the look and feel of the event.  Eric also mentioned the possibility of video-recording these events so as to make them available to others – perhaps club members who could not attend or even the general public.  Again there are pros/cons with that idea, since anything that is recorded is ‘on the record’ and would produce a more formal interaction; on the other hand, it would provide the possibility of wider exposure for  candidates.  Naturally, there is always the question of who would do the filming and where we would post the results.

After this rather lengthy discussion, we decided that each club member would ponder what their own ideal event would look like and then meet again next Friday, Sept 25 at 2 p.m. in Careers 129 (note new room) to decide on the best format.

 Upcoming events – Baltimore Council of Foreign Affairs is hosting the ambassador from Mexico on Sept. 22.  This event starts at 5:15 p.m. for the reception; 6:00 p.m. for the presentation.  DN proposed to car pool from his house (157 Berrywood Drive, Sevena Park, MD 21146 – north on Ritchie Highway through Severna Park, turning right at Baltimore/Annapolis Blvd (look for “Joe’s Seafood” on the right before the light – it’s the light after the Popeye franchise), and then the second right (that’s Berrywood Drive) – go about ½ mile on the right – blue house with lighthouse mailbox.) at 5 p.m.  He can accommodate a total of 7 people.   At this moment, the list of those saying that they will be car-pooling from DN’s house includes: John,  Adel, Tatyana, Jeanki, Remi.  If your name isn’t mentioned, please let DN know ASAP.  If you are travelling on your own to the World Trade Center, DN must be notified so that he can clear (and pay for ) your admission.  The current plan is to have dinner at the Inner Harbor afterwards, so the return time back to his house will be around 8:45 or so.  If that presents a special problem, let DN know.

Another upcoming event that is more distant is the Eleventh Annual American Foreign Policy Conference for Maryland Faculty and Students that will be held on Friday October 30, 2009 at the World Trade Center, Baltimore in the Constellation Room.  It will be composed of three sessions.  The overall agenda is below:

            1:00 p.m.-1:50 p.m. Registration

2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. United States-China Relations

3:00 p.m.-3:50 p.m. United States Middle East Policy

4:00 p.m.-4:50 p.m. United States International Economic Policy

            5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Reception

 Apparently these sessions will be run by State Dept. officers so they will be presenting the views of the Obama administration regarding these areas of US foreign policy.  This event is free.  More car-pooling is possible.  This event can be discussed at the next club meeting.

 (2)    Other club events: There was some discussion about other types of trips that the club might consider.  Destinations mentioned include Ft. Meade (cytological museum), DC – institutes or university events there, or even trips abroad.  Included below is the list of events based on brainstorming and previous years activities.  The club decided to meet next Friday to discuss ideas.  John C. volunteered to research DC events to suggest.

 (3)    Officers:  the following people volunteered to become officers in the club: President: Remi Silva, VP: Jeanki Ri, Treasurer: John Canales, Secretary: Eric Knowles.  Adel mentioned a possible interest in “Activities Coordinator.”  This can be discussed at the next meeting.

 (4)    Membership recruitment: This has been a special concern for Remi and Jeanki.  They will be developing a flyer to announce future meetings and other strategies to get the word out about the club.  Eric suggested setting up a table in the student union.  Remi said he would look into both that and the process to get SA approval for posting flyers.

 The club meeting ended with a power outage around 3:05 p.m.  The next club meeting will be next Friday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. in Careers 129.  Please email if you have any comments, clarifications or other points.