The Board of Directors convened, together with other interested members, al fresco on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, at 10:15 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 1993. Chairman Marvin Kohl chaired the meeting. John Lenz took the minutes as Donald Jackanicz attended to some of our cars which were the unfortunate victims of vandalism.

The reading of minutes from the previous meeting was waived. President Michael Rockler expressed concern that the Society’s membership had dropped to 230 or 240 members.We agreed to conduct a review of our advertising policy in cooperation with Lee Eisler. Tim Madigan suggested The Humanist of Canada as a possible new journal to advertise in. On the motion of Treasurer Dennis Darland, the Board voted to move the Society’s checking account to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Dennis will soon be moving. This entails closing the existing account near Dennis’ current residence.

Marvin Kohl reported that a professor in India (about whom not enough was known at present) was nominated for the BRS Award. It was agreed to refer this to the Award Committee.

There was a desire to continue the “Prize for Papers” program. Nicholas Griffin suggested that students would benefit from a later deadline. In discussion, a deadline of April 1 was agreed upon. A possible name-change, such as the “Younger Scholars Program,” was considered but left to the discretion of the committee.

The current slate of officers was re-elected:

Board Chairman, Marvin Kohl
President, Michael Rockler
Vice President, John Lenz
Vice President/Information, Lee Eisler
Secretary, Donald Jackanicz
Treasurer, Dennis Darland

The Board decided to hold the 1994 Annual Meeting in Toronto in conjunction with the meetings of the Humanist Association of Canada and the International Humanist and Ethical Union. Austin, Texas was proposed for 1995 provided that John Lenz is still living in that area to make the arrangements.

Michael Rockler introduced the proposal of the CIGNA Company to sell insurance through the BRS, with the Society to receive a percentage of all premiums sold. He stressed the Society’s need to promote its financial health. Several Board members voiced their reservations, and the consensus was to not pursue this matter.

Marvin Kohl reported on Thom Weidlich’s proposal to organize a mock trial of the City College case for a future annual meeting. This will be considered further. Michael Rockier proposed raising dues in two categories, “Student” and “Limited Income,” to $20. Both are currently $12.50 and have not been raised in some time, and a high percentage of members claims one of these two categories. The current rate hardly meets our costs for the newsletter and Russell subscriptions. Dennis Darland seconded this motion, and it passed unanimously. It was also decided to request a copy of a student ID for membership in the “Student” category, in accordance with common practice. The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m.

John Lenz, Acting Secretary
Bertrand Russell Society

Vice President John Lenz summarized the events of the previous night’s Board of Directors meeting. Treasurer Dennis Darland reported a Treasury balance of $5,308.96. President Rockler provided information about the July 8-10, 1994 BRS Annual Meeting to be held in Toronto in conjunction with meetings of the Humanist Association of Canada and the International Humanist and Ethical Union. Mention was made that Russell Society News editor Donald Jackanicz would like to step down from that position and that a new editor is therefore needed. Vice President Lenz spoke about the Prizes for Papers program and encouraged members to publicize this annual competition. A general discussion ensued concerning how to increase the BRS membership. The Society Business Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

Donald W. Jackanicz, Secretary
Bertrand Russell Society

The 1993 Annual Meeting of The Bertrand Russell Society was held on the campus of the University of California at San Diego, Friday, June 18-Sunday, June 20, 1993. Except as noted, events took place in Room 150 of the University Extension Campus building complex.

Friday, June 18

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Michael Rockler. Following general announcements, President Rockler presented the BRS Service Award to Marvin Kohl. Timothy J. Madigan then read his paper, “The Will to Believe vs. the Will to Doubt.” Gladys Leithauser, head of the Book Award Committee, then presented the 1993 BRS Book Award to Nicholas Griffin for The Selected Letters of Bertrand Russell, Volume 1, The Private Years, 1884-1914, after which Prof. Griffin read his paper, “Lady Ottoline.”

The session was recessed at 9:45 p.m. The Board of Directors meeting was then held outside the Muir College Apartments. (See “BRS 1993 Annual Board Directors Meeting Minutes” above.)

Saturday, June 19

President Rockler reconvened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Presentations were made by the winners of the first Prizes for Papers competition: Tyler W. Roberts, “Russell, the Individual, and Society” and Stefan Andersson, “Bertrand Russell’s Search for Certainty in Mathematics and Religion.” The next paper, “Russell and the Contemplation of Philosophy,” was read by John Shosky.

With President Rockler in the chair, the Society Business Meeting began at 11:15 a.m. (See “BRS 1993 Annual Members Meeting Minutes” above.) It was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

The general meeting was reconvened by President Rockler at 2 p.m. when Hal Walberg and. Joanne Walberg presented .a “readers’ theater” version of the monodrama “Bertrand Russell Speaks His Mind”. Marvin Kohl and Michael Rockler then read separate papers, respectively “Russell and the Elimination of Fear” and an unnamed paper, that in part related to Russell’s educational theories. The session was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

The Red Hackle Hour took place at Los Torritos Restaurant, about one mile from the University Extension Campus, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Attendees then reassembled for the Banquet at 7 p.m. at the University’s Third College Restaurant at La Casa. Following the meal, Marvin Kohl presented the 1993 BRS Award to Harry Ruja, who afterward gave an intriguing slide lecture titled “Russell’s Life in Photos.” The Banquet ended at 9:15 p.m.

Sunday, June 20

President Rockler reconvened the meeting at 9: 00 a.m., and Dennis Darland presented his paper, “What Is Mathematics About?” Donald Jackanicz then led a workshop discussion of Russell’s essay “A Philosophy for Our Time,” which appears in Portraits from Memory. (Another scheduled speaker, Gonzalo Garcia, who was to have read a paper titled “Did Bertrand Russell Think of Himself as a Pacifist?” was unable to be present.) In the absence of President Rocker, the meeting was adjourned by Board of Directors Chairman Marvin Kohl at 12:10 p.m.

Donald W. Jackanicz, Secretary
Bertrand Russell Society