The annual business meeting of the membership of The Norman Mailer Society (“NMS”) was convened at the Sarasota Holiday Inn Lido Beach in Sarasota, Florida, on October 24, 2013, with President Mark Olshaker presiding. Other officers present were Barry Leeds, Vice President, David Light, Treasurer, Phillip Sipiora, Editor of The Mailer Review, and Marc Triplett, Secretary.
Minutes of the 2012 business meeting were approved on the motion of Michael Lennon, with Barry Leeds seconding.
The financial report for the past year was presented in writing to the membership and was reviewed by Treasurer David Light. The report reflected a loss of $3,400 from the previous year’s balance. The reduction of funds was the result of a combination of the smallest ever membership numbers and the smallest total contributions to The Mailer Review. Receipts for the preceding year’s conference totaled $4,500, while expenses were $5,130. Susan Mailer, speaker, did not accept expense money or an honorarium. Other notable expenses included $7,150 for The Mailer Review, $4,018 for the Schiller life insurance premiums and $250.00 in accounting expense. The number of life memberships has leveled out at 59 to 60 in recent years. The Treasurer reported that of 285 persons on the NMS mailing list, 103 of them are paid members. In 2005 there were 205 paid members.
Phillip Sipiora provided an update of the publication’s status and activities. The new managing editor is Brianna Jerman, replacing Allison Wise. This year’s issue will be produced on November 5, 2013, with mailing to follow on November 12th. Jules Feiffer did the cover sketch of Norman Mailer. Phil expressed the hope to have an interview of Mr. Feiffer in next year’s edition. The Mailer Review is getting more of its production work done in-house now. As a result, this year’s edition will cost under $6,000. The University of South Florida contributes approximately $12,000 to $13,000. Simon & Shuster bought advertising on the inside cover and Random House bought the back cover.
Mark Olshaker presided over a discussion of venues for upcoming annual conferences. The 2014 conference will be at Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania from October 9 to October 11. Suggestions for the 2015 conference were solicited. Among possibilities discussed were Boston, New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), and Atlanta. Bonnie Culver spoke regarding the 2014 conference at Wilkes. She noted its relative proximity to New York City, Philadelphia and Boston.
Barry Leeds reported on the Lucid Award Committee. He acknowledged the outstanding committee work of Philip Bufithis and Barbara Lounsberry. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Lawrence Schiller, without whom there would have been no The Executioner’s Song. Barry noted also Larry Schiller’s major role in Oswald’s Tale and the Mailer’s biography of Marilyn Monroe.
Barry Leeds, chair of the Nominations Committee reported on nominations for the Executive Board. Mark Olshaker resigned as President. Barry Leeds nominated J. Michael Lennon to be President. Mark Olshaker seconded the nomination and the members unanimously elected J. Michael Lennon as President. Board Members for the terms expiring in 2013 were nominated by Barry Leeds for reelection for an additional three-year term expiring in 2016. Those nominated for reelection are Barry Leeds, Michael Lennon, David Light, Mark Olshaker, Lawrence Schiller, and Marc Triplett. Bonnie Culver seconded the nomination. Board members were unanimously reelected. Newly elected President Lennon acknowledged thanked Mark Olshaker for his outstanding service as President.
There being no other business to come before the membership, the meeting was adjourned.
! ! ! ! ! Respectfully submitted,
! ! ! ! ! ____________________________
! ! ! ! ! Marc S. Triplett
! ! ! ! ! Secretary, The Norman Mailer Society