Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends of the ISCSC,
This has been an outstanding year for the organization, and here are some of the reasons why.
First, news from the latest board meeting.
YOUR BOARD: The ISCSC Board met on July 31, 2024, with a full agenda.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS: Professors Bonnie Lee and Robert Bedeski were welcomed as new ISCSC board members. Both have tremendous energy, expertise and focus. They have much to offer the ISCSC as members of the board. Welcome Professors Lee and Bedeski!
RECENT CONFERENCE: Our 53rd ISCSC Conference, Health, Healing and Civilizations was held at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta Canada in May 2024. It was well attended, had very diverse presentations and 13 new members joined the organization. Conference Chair Bonnie Lee conducted a post-conference survey which is attached to this report. The presentations, pre-conference workshop and field trip were stellar. Survey ratings averaged 4.6 out of 5, with 5 being the top score. Qualitative comments, not attached, were also discussed allowing the board to evaluate pros, cons and lessons learned for subsequent conferences. It was proposed that future conferences should have a post-conference survey to help measure success and gain important feedback, pros and cons and other information going forward.
2025 CONFERENCE UPDATE: The board voted to accept the offer from Hallym University in Chunceon, South Korea to host our 54th conference planned for September 2025. Professor Robert Bedeski offered to serve in the critical role of Conference Program Chair. Professor Yong-Cool Ha agreed to help with facilitation as well. Both will coordinate with Professor Song at Hallym University regarding the initial details. Dr. Bedeski has already begun early communications and planned travel to Hallym University to meet personally with Professor Song. Updates to the membership will follow as news and details are developed. A tentative theme for this conference is: Science, Civilization, and State. He will also meet in Japan with leadership of the Japan Society for the Comparative Study of Civilization (JSCSC), President, Shunji Hosaka, Vice President, Hisanori Kato, Ms. Hitomi Sano and others.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND LEADERSHIP TRANSITION PLAN: In June 2024, work began to develop a strategic plan for the organization. Board members were asked to provide input to key areas, and a draft strategic plan was developed based on this input. Next steps will be to develop specific, actionable, goals with measures for success, based on the opportunities identified in the draft. Committee members working on the next steps are Vice President Greg Lewicki, CCR Editor in Chief, Joe Drew, Director of Communications, Bibi Pelic and President Lynn Rhodes. A target date for completion is early to mid-2025 and before December 1, 2025. Additionally, concepts for a Leadership Transition Plan were distributed to the Board members for discussion and action. Committee members to oversee this plan are Greg Lewicki, Bibi Pelic, and Stephen Satkiewicz. The Leadership Transition Plan has the same target dates as the strategic plan.
SOCIAL MEDIA and ISCSC WEBSITE: Social media platforms, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and the ISCSC website, continue important access to the ISCSC activities, our mission and our vision. Each extends information about the organization to a growing, global audience. ISCSC Director of Communications, Bibi Pelic, and Webmaster, Jeff Price, update the platforms frequently with new information, announcements, reviews, member activities, and video interviews. Direct links to each social media platform are easily found on the ISCSC website. Board members Stephen Satkiewicz and Director of Communications Bibi Pelic are actively coordinating new video updates by notable scholars. If you are interested in having a video presentation of your work on one or more of our social media platforms, please contact either Stephen ssatkiewicz@yahoo.com or Bibi commdirector@iscsc.org :
TREASURER AND SECRETARY: Both the treasurer and secretary positions for the organization are vacant. If you are a current member interested in serving in either of these positions, please contact ISCSC President Lynn Rhodes lynn.rhodes@iscsc.org for more details. These are volunteer positions and essential to ongoing operations of the organization. Both positions serve as officers on the board.
OUR MEMBERSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS AND SUSTAINABILITY: A sustainable future for the ISCSC is in sight. There are a number of ways you can help. Consider making a one-time or ongoing tax-deductible donation; or leaving a legacy in your trust, will or estate; recommend a sponsorship with a compatible entity. In the US, there are new, tax free gift annuity options that can be applied to your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Your support ensures that the ISCSC's unique history, significance and value can be experienced today and by future generations. Donations can be made directly from our website. Legacy gift arrangements can be made by contacting the ISCSC President or Vice President.
Thank you for your dedication to the ISCSC vision and for being an integral part of the ISCSC community. It is an honor to be a part of this historic and meaningful organization.
With warm regards,
Lynn Rhodes, President
International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations
lynn.rhodes@iscsc.org
+1-831-600-5209
