The Meeting was called to order at 10:30 am by President Bob Lochte.
He noted a “get well” card was being circulated for signatures for JPHS Secretary-Treasurer Marvin Downing, who was recovering at home from recent surgery. He also made note of the recent death of Dr. Walt Hayden, former JPHS President and Journal Editor.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
He then asked for comments on, and Approval of, the July 19, 2014 Minutes of the Paducah meeting as prepared by Secretary Downing. Hearing no comments, President Lochte then asked for a Motion to approve these Minutes as submitted. This Motion was made and Seconded and they were accepted unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Due to the absence of the Treasurer, President Lochte briefly reported the JPHS bank account had a balance of $2,146.61.
OLD BUSINESS
The status of the annual joint meeting with the West Tennessee Historical Society (WTHS) was broached. This has been held for a number of years in Martin each November, but the WTHS decided this year [2014] to meet separately elsewhere. After discussion on this joint effort, it was decided that future joint meetings would be restricted to “special” occasions, perhaps every other year, and not annually as has been the case previously. Future joint meetings might involve collaboration on special topics to draw more public interest better to promote regional history.
President Lochte also reported that the Kentucky Historical Society had awarded the Kentucky History Award this year to WKMS for the program, entitled “Kentucky Dam – Power to the People.” This news documentary also achieved national recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists with its 2013 National Sigma Delta Chi Award.
President Lochte next introduced suggestions and comments from the Journal Editor, Sarah Strange. The Editor recommended that the number of copies of the Journal printed be reduced from 50 to 70 copies to about 35, due to reduced membership and demand. The question of producing only digital copy for future issues was raised. There was some objection to reducing the number of copies of future Journals, as back issues were considered important recruiting tools for new members and served as a revenue source over time. As to digitalization of past Journals, this has been discussed by Executive Committees for several years as a desirable goal if resources can be found to complete the task. Also, speakers have been slow to submit brief write-ups of their programs to the Editor.
President Lochte introduced a discussion on JPHS membership, pointing out that without new members the organization was headed for extinction. This has been a concern of the Executive Committee for a number of years, but efforts to acquire new members have to date been for the most part unsuccessful. Two actions that were considered are (1) more attractive programs and (2) more publicity. Increasing the visibility of the Journal was also recommended, including posting the Table of Contents on the website. A joint project between UT-Martin and MSU history students to write a Mission Statement or “Plan for the Future” with a substantial prize [perhaps $500] was also mentioned. It was agreed that this topic needs serious and longer consideration at a future meeting of the JPHS.
NEW BUSINESS
The Winter meeting of the JPHS was now scheduled for the McCracken County Library on Saturday, January 24, 2015. The program tentatively would concern barn dances in western Kentucky and Tennessee.
The April Meeting was set probably for Mayfield, but no specific location or date were currently set. One suggestion was to restrict the meeting exclusively to business items, including the Society’s future, membership enhancement, and the Journal content and quantity.
There being no other business, the President asked for a motion to adjourn. Such was given and seconded.
The President then introduced the Speaker for the meeting: Mr. Robert Nunley.