The annual business meeting of the membership of The Norman Mailer Society (“NMS”) was convened at the beginning of the Society’s twelfth annual conference at Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, on Friday, October 10, 2014, with President J. Michael Lennon presiding. Other officers present were Barry Leeds, Vice President, David Light, Treasurer, Phillip Sipiora, Editor of The Mailer Review, and Marc Triplett, Secretary. On behalf of the NMS, President Lennon expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet at Wilkes, and thanked Bonnie Culver and all those to made the conference possible.
The meeting began with announcements from President Mike Lennon, who first acknowledged the group’s sadness at the passing of Robert Lucid, Deborah Martinson, and Patricia Ahearn.
Future endeavors of the NMS include “Digital Mailer,” for the presentation of material dealing with the life and works of Norman Mailer. Elizabeth Mailer has made a donation of $10,000.00 for that project, and acknowledgment and thanks were given for that gift. Gerald Lucas is making a proposal for the project.
A reading of Mailer’s An American Dream begins after the business meeting, with approximately 24 people participating. President Mike Lennon thanked Ken Vose for his preparation of this important part of the conference.
The final introductory announcement from Mike Lennon acknowledged the preceding evening’s viewing of the film “The River of Fundament,” the extraordinary work of Matthew Barney. This was perhaps only the 10th showing of the recently-released film to date and thanks are due to John Buffalo Mailer for his efforts in securing the film for our viewing and to Bonnie Culver for arranging its showing at the movie theater in Wilkes Barre. The film includes performances of John Buffalo Mailer, Paul Giamatti, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Minutes of the 2013 business meeting were approved after the adoption of a correction suggested by Barry Leeds.
Barry Leeds, chair of the Nominations Committee reported on nominations for the Executive Board. The chairman of the committee made motions proposing election of Board members. John Whalen-Bridge having resigned, Nicole DePolo was nominated to take his place. The motion was seconded by Christopher Busa, and she was unanimously elected to the Board. Deborah Martinson having passed away during the preceding year, Barry nominated Lawrence Shainberg to that Board position, which expires in 2015. Lawrence Shainberg was unanimously elected to the Executive Board. Board Members for the term expiring in 2014 were nominated by Barry Leeds for reelection to an additional three-year term expiring in 2017. Those nominated for reelection are Robert Begiebing, Philip Bufithis, Christopher Busa, Neil Abercrombie, Barbara Lounsberry, Phillip Sipiora, Ezra Cappell, and Michael Chaiken. Donna Lennon seconded these nominations. Those Board members were unanimously reelected by the membership. President Lennon welcomed with an introduction new Board member Lawrence Shainberg, who is a novelist who has also written about Mailer, is eager to serve on the Board and plans to make contributions to the Digital Mailer project.
Barry Leeds reported on the Lucid Award Committee. He acknowledged the outstanding committee work of Philip Bufithis and Barbara Lounsberry. Barry, noting that the decision was an easy one this year, announced that the Lucid Award goes to J. Michael Lennon for his biography Norman Mailer: A Double Life. Mike Lennon accepted and expressed his great thanks for the award. Barry Leeds, on behalf of the committee, also presented a plaque to Christopher Busa “in gratitude for helping keep the Mailer legacy alive.” Chris Busa accepted and expressed thanks for this recognition.
Phillip Sipiora provided an update of the status and activities of The Mailer Review. Mailing of the Review, delayed slightly by the typesetting process, was expected in approximately two weeks. Phil noted that this edition, the eighth, now brings to 4000 the number of pages of The Mailer Review. Work has commenced on Volume 9 and Volume 10 is in planning stages already.
The financial report for the past fiscal year was presented in writing to the membership and was reviewed by Treasurer David Light, who offered some comments regarding the financial state of the NMS. He acknowledged the importance to the Society’s vitality of the several sizable donations made over the years by Board member Lawrence Schiller. David noted the beginning of a decline in balances of the treasury as well as an expected reduction after balances that will occur after payment of the expenses of the 2014 conference. He noted a spike in membership this year, aided by Wilkes University student participation. There are now 140 members, the highest membership level since 2009. The sum of $10.00 from each paid membership goes to The Mailer Review. The report provided to the membership does not reflect conference fees received (but not yet deposited) in the total amount of approximately $1,600.00. It is expected that the fees received in 2014 conference will cover its expenses, which will likely be close to but not more than 2013 conference expenses of $4,700.00. Attendance at the 2014 conference exceeds 70.
Mike Lennon presided over a discussion of the venue for the 2015 conference. The discussion included consideration of Provincetown, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Sarasota, and Brooklyn. No decision was reached at the membership meeting, and the matter was delegated to a committee to be appointed by the President.
The meeting concluded with announcements from Bonnie Culver regarding the locations for the sessions and other matters relating to the conference at Wilkes.
There being no other business to come before the membership, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marc Triplett
Secretary, The Norman Mailer Society