Society and Mental Health Division
Business Meeting 07/19
19 July 2024 / 4:00 PM EST / Zoom

ATTENDEES
Douglas Engelman, Lily Ivanova, Melinda Maconi, Emma Tubens, Faryal Razzaq, Monica Wood

AGENDA
Greetings and beginning questions
New Business
Co-chair candidate introductions
Discuss proposed budget
Suggestions for next year’s sessions at Annual Conference
Plans for special activities for the division
Last Thoughts

NOTES
Chair Douglas Engelman began the meeting with greetings and thanks to those in attendance. He then gave a general outline of items to be discussed. 
Co-chair candidates took turns introducing themselves, detailing their background and how they arrived within the mental health field. Faryal Razzaq, Lily Ivanova, and Melinda Maconi are the 2023-2025 co-chair candidates. 
The division budget was detailed, noting that this year’s funds were allocated to social media and newsletter creation, student paper awards, and scholarships to attend the Annual Conference. 
Ideas on how to choose sessions for the next Conference were discussed, under the theme of Insurgent Sociology in a Time of Crises. It was noted that sessions will be due at the end of fall ‘24/early spring ‘25. 
Ideas  on how to create more member engagement were proposed and discussed. Members suggested ways to create a more camaraderie within the division and perhaps with other divisions as well. It was suggested that member needs and interests be addressed. 

ACTION ITEMS
Distribute email list to members who volunteer to reach out to the division
Create survey of interest points for members
Create and discuss ideas to encourage member engagement
Identify which members plan to attend Annual Conference
Find a time and place for a before conference member meet-and-greet

The meeting was adjourned by Chair Douglas Engelman at 4:54pm.