The 2009 annual meeting of the Bertrand Russell Society Board of Directors was held on June 6, 2009 at Central Connecticut State University at 12:30 pm chaired by Chad Trainer, Chair of the Board. Board members in attendance were: Kenneth Blackwell, David Blitz, Rosalind Carey, Philip Ebersole, David Henehan, Kevin Klement, Marvin Kohl, John Lenz, John Ongley, Ray Perkins Jr., Alan Schwerin, Peter Stone, Chad Trainer, and Thom Weidlich.

Treasurer Ken Blackwell presented the Treasurer’s report. The current cash balance was $11,900 with $900 owed to the Russell Centre for bookkeeping services. 2008 membership dues were approximately $4,900 and contributions $900. Ken reported that due to the economy and based on an email vote of the Board, the $10.00 dues increase was deferred through 12/31/09. On motion made by Ray Perkins, seconded by Alan Schwerin and unanimously passed, the Treasurer’s report was approved.

After discussion about the $10.00 increase in dues projected for 1/1/10, on motion made by Ken Blackwell, seconded by Phil Ebersole, and unanimously passed, it was decided that student dues would be increased by only $5.00 but otherwise the $10.00 dues increase would take place 1/1/10.

Kevin Klement proposed after further discussion that there could be different categories for student memberships with different dues, either including or excluding the Journal. On motion made by John Ongley and seconded by Phil Ebersole and unanimously passed, it was resolved that there would be no increase in the current dues structure through 12/31/10.

Minutes of the 2008 annual board meeting were reviewed and on motion of Ken Blackwell, seconded by Thom Weidlich and unanimously passed, the minutes were approved.

Nominations were sought for positions of officers to serve until the next annual meeting. On motion made, seconded and unanimously passed, the existing slate of officers was reelected as follows:

Chairman – Chad Trainer
President – Alan Schwerin
Vice-Chairman – David White
Vice-President – Ray Perkins
Treasurer – Ken Blackwell
Secretary – David Henehan

The location of the next BRS annual meeting was discussed. Ken Blackwell reported that a conference called “PM@100,” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Principia Mathematica, will be held at McMaster University from May 21 to May 24, 2010. Ken suggested that the annual meeting be held at McMaster concurrently with the PM conference and offered to host the annual meeting there. On motion made by Peter Stone and seconded by John Ongley, it was unanimously resolved that the 2010 annual meeting will be held at McMaster University May 21 through May 23 2010, thus concurrent with the PM conference, but ending a day earlier.

The Lee Eisler Service award was given to Dennis Darland this year for his 27 years of service to the BRS as Society Treasurer. Alan Schwerin had a plaque made for Dennis to acknowledge this service to the Society.

(At 1:30 pm the Meeting was adjourned until 5:40 pm after the close of the BRS membership meeting.)

On motion made by Peter Stone, seconded and unanimously passed, it was resolved that Russell’s grandsons, Earl Russell and Honorable John Russell, be given honorary membership in the Society.

Chad Trainer suggested that the Board should consider making Congressman Abercrombie from Hawaii an honorary member next year.

John Ongley made and Ken Blackwell seconded a motion that we establish a Service Award Committee. It was noted that we do already have a Lee Eisler Service Award Committee with the President as Chair and Peter Stone and Chad Trainer as the other current committee members.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

David L. Henehan, Secretary
Bertrand Russell Society
Thursday, October 15, 2009

The 2009 Annual Bertrand Russell Society Membership Meeting was held on June 6, 2009 at Central Connecticut State University at 5:10 pm chaired by BRS President Alan Schwerin.

Among the members in attendance were: Stefan Andersson, Kenneth Blackwell, Howard Blair, David Blitz, Andrew Cavallo, Rosalind Carey, Giovanni de Carvalho, Philip Ebersole, Petar Forcan, Jolen Galaugher, David Henehan, Kevin Klement, Marvin Kohl, Ilmari Kortelainen, John Lenz, Jeffrey Ludwig, Ed McClenathan, Nancy Mitchell, John Ongley, Karen Perkins, Ray Perkins Jr., Stephen Reinhardt, Thomas Riggins, Ariel Robinson, Alan Schwerin, Peter Stone, Chad Trainer, Thom Weidlich, and Brandon Young.

Rosalind Carey discussed the upcoming Russell Society session of talks at the December eastern division meeting of the American Philosophical Association in New York City. She needs three commentators. She will send an email to BRS members asking for commentators.

Ken Blackwell announced the location and the dates of the 2010 BRS annual meeting: they are May 21 – May 23, 2010 at McMaster University. It is scheduled to coincide with the PM@100 conference, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publication of volume one of Principia Mathematica, that will be held at McMaster from May 21 through May 24, 2010. The BRS annual meeting will thus begin on the same day as the conference and wrap up a day earlier.

John Ongley presented a report on membership trends from 1988-2009, noting that membership declined from a high of 315 members in 1990 to a low of 156 in 2003, and then gradually rose until it is around 183 at present.

John Ongley reported that he has just redesigned the Bertrand Russell Society website at http://users.drew.edu/~jlenz/brs.html.

A recommendation was made for the next year’s Lee Eisler Service Award.

It was announced that Mario Bunge was given the 2009 BRS Award. He was not able to attend the conference but his video statement accepting the award was shown at the conference on Sunday and will be available by email.

There being no further business before the meeting, it was adjourned.

David L. Henehan, Secretary
Bertrand Russell Society
Thursday, October 15, 2009

Note: At the banquet, Ray Perkins announced that the 2009 BRS Book Award was given to Omar W. Nasim for his book Bertrand Russell and the Edwardian Philosophers.