Minutes 2004, Chicago

Third Annual Business Meeting of Japan-U.S. Communication Association

Meeting Minutes

Date & Time:November 14, 2004

Place:Williford C, Third Floor, Chicago Hilton

Chair:Tom Bruneau

Acting Secretary:Kuniko Fuse

Attendance:Six members in attendance

IIn the absence of President Ryo Kitade, Tom Bruneau called the meeting to order at 11 a.m.

II. Approval of the last minutes:

• 1. Minutes of the 2003 Miami business meeting prepared by Tom Bruneau--approved as is with the exception of the splitting of the duties of secretary into two new positions. (See “Constitutional Revisions” below.)

  2. The 2004 Chicago business meeting agenda--approved as is.

III. Activity Report

• 1. The first JUCA newsletter, JUCA News, was published in September 2004.

  2. Two JUCA competitive-papers sessions were held. Many high-quality papers were presented, attracting relatively large audiences (more than 20 people in each session) this year.

  3. The third annual JUCA social was a great success with approximately 40 people attending, thanks to members’ efforts, particularly Kimiko Akita’s.

  4. The All Academic system became more “user-friendly,” but everyone must know how to use it.

IV. Top Student Paper Award

• 1. Sueen Noh (Temple University, “‘In the Name of Love’: Adolescent Heterosexuality in Korean and Japanese Comics for Girls”) received the award from Tom Bruneau. He praised the quality of her paper.

V. Budget Report and Future Plan

• 1. The JUCA has only one institutional member--Drake University. Tom Bruneau and Holly Kawakami will work on gaining more institutional members. Of particular interest to the JUCA is the Japan-U.S. Foundation, which lacks an intellectual arm. In the distant future, workshops with businesses in Japan and in the U.S. could help with financial needs of JUCA.

  2. Holly Kawakami asked if the JUCA could hold at least one Executive Committee meeting to discuss the JUCA’s business before the NCA conference.

  3. Tom Bruneau re-emphasized that the JUCA is an independent association, not affiliated with the CAJ, the Communication Association of Japan.? JUCA is affiliated with the NCA, the National Communication Association. ?

VI. Motions for Constitutional Revisions

• 1. Separating Secretary/Information Officer--approved.

  2. Replacing “Information Officer” with a new position entitled “Web-Page Director” --approved.

  3. Having as many as three Members-at-Large--approved.

  4. Vice President will become President after serving two full years--approved.

  5. The new Secretary will work on those constitutional revisions and submit the revised Constitution to the JUCA Executive Committee for approval.

VII. Nominations and election of new officers

• 1. President: Tom Bruneau (Radford University) was elected by acclamation.

  2. Vice President: Koji Fuse (Drake University) was elected by acclamation.

  3. Secretary: Kuniko Fuse (Private Consultant) was elected by acclamation.

  4. Student Representative: Makoto Saito (University of Massachusetts) was elected by acclamation.

  5. Web-Page Director: Jiro Takai (Nagoya University) was elected by acclamation.

  6. Members-at-Large: Edwin McDaniel (University of San Diego) and Kimiko Akita (Ohio University) were nominated and elected by acclamation. However, Kimiko Akita’s position depends on her acceptance.

NOTE: Holly Kawakami (University of New Mexico) will continue to be the Treasurer.

VIII. Plans for the 2005 NCA Conference

• 1. The JUCA was given three session slots, including one business meeting. However, the NCA may announce the availability of empty slots later. The JUCA must take an opportunity to request an additional panel session when additional slots become available.

  2. For JUCA sessions, it’s time to focus on quality rather than quantity. Two assigned sessions must be competitive-papers sessions. Ideas for paper session titles are “Improving the Health of Japan-U.S. Communication I/II” and “The State of the Health of Japan-U.S. Communication: Past and Future I/II.”

  3. The possible panel congruent with the NCA conference theme could be a focus on competitive rhetoric and persuasion ? Japan vs. U.S.

  4. ?All Academic requires the JUCA to submit its call for papers by December 8, 2004. JUCA Executive Officers will discuss the call via e-mail.

  5. Possible reviewers are Tom Bruneau, Edwin McDaniel, and Koji Fuse. We must also discuss chairs and respondents.

IX. Tom Bruneau adjourned the meeting around 11:50 a.m.

Minutes prepared and submitted by Kuniko Fuse.