In recent years, the ESS has expanded its operations to include a flagship journal, Sociological Forum. But also in recent years, both its participation and its finances have flagged. There was much to be excited about at our recent gathering in Baltimore, but the number in attendance was not among them. Next year in Philadelphia promises to be different. We will be meeting in a terrific new downtown hotel with good room rates.
Plans are already underway for an exciting program, as the accompanying description attests.
However, we also need those of you who were not with us in Baltimore and who have lagged in renewing your membership for the current year to do so as soon as possible, and start a veritable movement by encouraging others to re-join or join for the first time. If the ESS does not reach a goal of 1100 members by next January 1, the Executive Committee will have to raise dues. Even if Philadelphia is the success we expect it to be, we will only be less in debt rather than out of debt. Meanwhile, the beat goes on in attending to the Society's myriad details. Vice-President Christine Bose and I will be working with a Program Committee concentrated in Western New England so that we can meet together easily.