Homicide Research Working Group: An Interdisciplinary and International Organization

Meeting Minutes

Business Meeting II - June 13, 1998 Minutes

Chris Rasche convened the meeting at 8:45 a.m.

Announcements

A sign up sheet for rides from the Michigan Union to the Detroit airport was circulated.

Chris Rasche distributed the meeting agenda, along with a list of "Ideas for HRWG for the Future," based on this year's meeting evaluation from participants. The ideas relate to both content and format of future meetings. A copy is attached.

Committee Reports

A. Program Committee

Paul Blackman will serve as the 1999 Program Committee Chair.

B. ASC Liaison Committee

Robert Smith will serve as the 1998 Organizational Liaison Committee Chair. Dr. Smith asked for suggestions from the group for content of the November ASC - HRWG meeting. We were reminded also that the NCJRS Web page is a good place to list our meeting as well as to learn about others.

C. Publications Committee

As HRWG's Co-Convener, Pam Lattimore serves as Chair of the Publications Committee. Jay Corzine gave a report on the Homicide Studies editorial activity to date. Institutional subscriptions are about twice what was originally projected and this is where most of Sage's money is made. Individual subscriptions are slightly below expectations so far.

Jay described the stages in the life of a journal by indicating that the first year is generally "very good" or "very bad," while the second year is typically "in between." So far in 1998, 50 articles have been submitted for review. He said the more papers that are submitted, the better the overall quality of the papers published in the journal. He encouraged HRWG members to send papers, encourage colleagues to submit manuscripts and to return manuscript reviews to the Dwayne Smith (Editor) as soon as possible.

Jay pointed out that special issues of the journal call for specialized marketing efforts. After some discussion regarding the possible exclusivity of special issue, he explained that while the Wolfgang special issue was comprised of invited pieces, the intimate partner violence issue is comprised of peer reviewed articles.

Becky asked that the group and the Journal editors consider more submissions focused on practitioners, policy-makers and clinicians. Jackie Campbell suggested that a point/counterpoint debate format for special topics, e.g. capital punishment for very young offenders, also be considered.

Four suggestions were submitted by the Publications Committee for Dr. Smith's consideration as special issues of the Journal.

Reducing Gun Violence, allowing for both sides of the debate on how best to accomplish this
Serial and Multiple Offender and Victim Killings, handled in a very responsible way, as a means of addressing the frequent requests made of HRWG members on this type of homicide
Youth
Projections, Prevention, Policy

The Committee further suggested that such issues might have a Guest Editor, though not necessarily a member of the journal's editorial board. Also, the group agreed that a long-term goal of a thematic approach to the journal's efforts might be a session or part of a session at ASC.

Kim Vogt asked that items be sent for the October newsletter, preferably submitted via e-mail.

D. Nominations and Elections Committee

Steve Roth will serve as Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee. Nominations for future elections will be communicated via HRWG's Web page, its newsletter and the user list. The Committee recommended that the By-Laws Committee consider making the Secretary's position a two-year position in the future. The Committee also recommended that the By-Laws clarify that the Treasurer will be an appointed position.

E. Networking Committee (Speakers Bureau)

Tom Petee will serve as Chair of the Networking Committee. Dick Block will continue to oversee HRWG's "listserv." Kaye Marz will continue to administer the group's Web page and Alan Abrahamse will maintain the membership database.

There was discussion of creating a Mentoring Committee, with consideration given to a members only access to a place on our Web page to help junior members access potential mentors. The suggestion was also made that our Web page include links to other relevant Websites. Ania Wilczynski suggested that we survey the HRWG membership, to allow people to indicate their interest in being mentors.

Tom Marvell offered to serve as a centralized point of contact for Media List, that would include HRWG members names and their areas of expertise. Chris Dunn pointed out that maintaining such a list takes a big commitment. Chris Rasche recommended that we do an annual membership list update, that includes areas of expertise; as a way of systematizing the process.

F. Site Selection Committee

Jerry Nunziato will serve as Chair of the 1999 Site Selection Committee. John Jarvis has offered the FBI Academy at Quantico as a meeting site, subject to FBI administrative approval. If the meeting is held there, it will have to be the third or fourth, rather than customary second, week of June. It was suggested that Chris Rasche and Pam Lattimore write letters to the FBI requesting a firm commitment from them by October 1. As needed, alternate sites under consideration are Loyola University in Chicago and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX.

G. Archive Committee

Becky Block agreed to serve as Chair of the Archive Committee. She pointed out that it is important for the Homicide Research Working Group to maintain its history and to store paper documents properly (using correct materials and technology) to maintain them indefinitely. Tom Marvell suggested that we might be better served toward this objective by going through a criminal justice center or agency rather than a university. Chris Dunn pointed out that the technology for archival storage is changing rapidly. He suggested that the group consider having ATF or ICPSR scan paper and photos and store them electronically. All members are asked to send any materials they consider relevant for HRWG's archives to Becky Block.

H. By-Laws Revision Committee

Paul Blackman agreed to Chair the By-Laws Revision Committee. He will communicate to the membership electronically to address the proposed change for the Treasurer's position and some other minor necessary revisions to the By-Laws.

I. Homicide Projections Research

Alan Abrahamse agreed to develop a "listserv" and indicated that there are already at least ten members who are interested in participating in this. Other interested members are to let Alan know to add them to this list. Each person will address a problem in their specialty area(s), using a common methodology among the group.

III. New Business

A. HRWG Policy on disseminating membership mailing list.

Becky Block pointed out that during the 1994 meeting in Atlanta, it was decided that members don't want the HRWG membership list widely distributed; only to members in good standing. Dick Block says he has been asked for the mailing list several times but has only made it available to NIJ, as a way for them to distribute the NIJ 8-Cities Intramural Homicide Report.

Tom Marvell made a motion that each decision to make the mailing list available, on a case by case basis, be left to the discretion of the Convener, in consultation with the Steering Committee. Roland Chilton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ann Lee suggested that we place a "For Members Use Only" stamp on the mailing list. Kathleen Heide recommended that we add a "Not to be Distributed" notice to the front of the list, with referral to the Steering Committee for any questions. It was also recommended that we continue to include the date on each generation of the list.

Robert Smith expressed concern that the limited access approach to the list may inadvertently preclude outside groups who have a relevant interest in HRWG's work from gaining contact with members. Dick Block reminded meeting participants that the listserver is frequently used to solicit information from members for outside parties. Jackie Campbell further clarified that our listserv functions very much like inter-office mail.

Chris Dunn offered to have ICPSR set up a "Discussion" route on the Web page, so members can contribute their comments on this issue.

Chris Rasche complimented Kaye Marz, Chris Dunn and ICPSR on this year's meeting site and all the arrangements that were made to accommodate us for the 1998 meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Victoria "Vickie" Brewer
Secretary

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