Muriel Laskin, Chairman of the Arrangements Committee, reported to Council in Denver the results of research by Ellen Fertig of the Central Office staff regarding available hotels and dates for the Fall Meeting.
In Manhatten, six hotels, including the Waldorf, have the necessary facilities. Only one new hotel was able to offer any available dates; the dates available corresponded to those of the Waldorf and the room rates were significantly higher. Dr. Laskin stressed that unlike corporate business groups, we do not offer a great deal of money to hotels and therefore our business is not as attractive to them. Alternate dates are not available, even at higher rates.
Dr. Laskin reported that the Newsletter questionnaire elicited a wide range of views, many very positive about New York and the Waldorf. She noted that not only do our Articles of Incorporation require a New York meeting at least once each year, but that the New York meeting always draws twice the registrants of our Annual Meeting. She noted with irony that in Denver—closer to the West Coast than the East — 77 registrants came from New York (15%) and 27 from Southern California (7.5%). Other factors besides ease of travel are operating.
Responsiveness to members' needs is important and the committee and Central Office continue to seek better solutions if they are available. Dr. Laskin and Mrs. Fischer welcome further comments or suggestions.
The Treasurer of the Association, Bernard Pacella, reported to Executive Council in Denver that as a result of purchasing and renovating the condominium for our new Central Office, our cash reserves are seriously depleted. Our former large liquid assets are now fixed and nonliquid.
Although in the long run this move is anticipated to be greatly to our financial advantage, in the short run, the maintenance of an adequate cash flow will require both careful scrutiny of expenses and an increased inflow of cash. The pending legal suits may also entail additional expenses.
Dr. Pacella noted with pride that we have not had to borrow money nor do we plan to do so. However, the Executive Committee recommended a $50.00 dues increase. The motion was passed unanimously.
Aaron Esman, Chairman of the Committee on Public Information, reported to the Executive Council that the recently published informational brochure, About Psychoanalysis, has met with an early enthusiastic response.
Copies have been sent to all members, institutes, and affiliate societies, and to selected editors, science writers, and reporters. The Executive committee is considering sending copies to members of the American Psychiatric Association.
The brochure describes various aspects of psychoanalysis in a straightforward and nontechnical way. Any member who wishes to obtain additional copies may do so by contacting the Central Office.
President Edward Joseph reported to Executive Council in Denver that the British Society has formed an international committee to prepare a new English translation of Freud's works. Otto Kernberg will be our representative on that committee.
Part of the impetus for this arises from the fact that the German copyright on Freud's works expires next year. The works will go into the public domain. We can anticipate a flood of new translations, and it seemed timely to undertake the preparation of a serious, scholarly new translation of our own.
In the Spring, 1985 Newsletter, in the listing of new affiliate members, Cassie L. Wesselius of the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute was incorrectly listed as Ph.D. The correct listing is Cassie L. Wesselius, M.D.
President Edward Joseph announced that the Association, founded in 1911, will be seventy-five years old next year. The 1986 Annual Meeting will be held in Washington, D.C. Plans are underway to mark our anniversary there with events and celebrations appropriate to the occasion.