Letter from the President: Joshua Landis - October 25, 2013

Letter from the President: Joshua Landis October 25, 2013 My term as President will end on January 1, 2014. It has been a time of growth and consolidation for the Syrian Studies Association even as Syria itself has fallen into the harrowing depths of civil war. This year marks the 20 th anniversary of the SSA and more scholars than ever are studying and writing about Syria. Membership of the SSA has risen by 33%. In 2011, when I became president it had 67 members. It now has 87 paid up members. Funds have risen by over 50%. The SSA had $1363.38 in the bank when I became president. I leave with over $2800 in SSA coffers. This growth is largely due to the excellent board that has shared the work, and indeed, the fun over the last two years. Certain traditions have begun to gain acceptance over the last years. For example, the board has chosen not to pay for an SSA reception following the annual business meeting, as it did for years, but rather to organize panel discussions on important and timely topics. Last year the panel concentrated on the arts, refugees, and culture during the Syrian uprising. This year we focused on politics. This format has been very successful, has drawn a sizable crowd, and allowed us to bring together lively debates by top specialists in the field about current events. This has enriched MESA and, of course, the SSA. I would like to thank the prize committee chaired by Thomas Pierret that included: Sophia Hoffmann , Melanie Tanielian , Heghnar Watenpaugh , and Benjamin White for selecting the prize winning new book and article on Syria. Read the article about the winners -- Antoine Borrut and Malissa Taylor on . A new constitution has been ratified. Last year 46 members voted to ratify the new constitution that Heghnar Watenpaugh , Geoffrey Schad and I labored over for more than a year. We contacted most of the past presidents, who were detailed in their recommendations about changes that needed to be made and went through numerous drafts. Almost all past board members recommended that the SSA adopt procedures to make elections to the board more democratic and transparent. To ensure that the board did not simply "wing it" in nominating new officers and that elections be competitive. To this end, the new constitution sets out clear rules for the nomination and election of board members by the entire SSA membership. The voting was on-line for the first time, thanks to the creativity of Max Weiss , our vote man. Today, almost all board members can serve only one term in any one office in succession. The President can serve only one two-year term. In short, the new constitution ensures officers will cycle on and off the board frequently, bringing in "fresh blood" and providing incentives for new members to join and run for positions on the board. Indeed, the new constitution has fulfilled its purpose. Elections this year were more competitive than ever. Over fifteen candidates were nominated to run for five positions and every position was contested. This was a first. What is more, I sought to use a "light touch" as president, encouraging the board to discuss all major decisions until a consensus could be formed, and if no concensus could be arrived at, then a vote was taken. This leadership style was only successful because the SSA has had the wonderful good fortune to have two Secretary-treasurers over the last several years that are truly remarkable and do most of the work. Stacy Fahrenthold replaced Zayde Antrim last year and she is gold. The SSA thanks the six officers that are completing their terms as board members. They are: Bulletin Editor Andrea Stanton , Book Review Editor Beverly Tsacoyianis , Graduate Student Representative Benjamin Smuin , Senior Member-at-Large Benjamin Thomas White , Past President Fred Lawson , and President Joshua Landis. Congratulations go to the new board members: Bulletin Editor Andrea Stanton , Book Review Editor Benjamin Smuin, Graduate Student Representative Kawa Morad , Member-at-Large Elyse Semerdjian , Past President Joshua Landis , and last but not least, the new President Keith Watenpaugh . Already, Keith and the new board have spoken about plans to build the Bulletin into a first tire publication. The future of the SSA is bright. I look forward to working with the new officers as Past President. Best, Joshua Landis