March 9, 2005

Dear ASA Community,

We would like to remind you of the upcoming deadlines to submit paper, panel, and roundtable proposals for the 2005 Annual Meeting, November 17-20, in Washington, DC and to pay membership dues for 2005.  People who have tried the ASA's new online system, including the two of us, find it very workable, easy to navigate and quick.  The ASA staff is ready (by telephone or e-mail) to coach anyone who experiences any trouble finding the way through it.  Please remember that ALL ANNUAL MEETING PROPOSALS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 15, and that, except for individuals residing in Africa, the proposals must be submitted online.

In line with maintaining revenue streams sufficient to deliver the services that ASA members rightfully expect, the Board fully authorizes the implementation of long-standing ASA policies, including:

No Annual Meeting proposal can be accepted for review by the ASA Program Committee without confirmed payment of pre-registration and annual (current, 2005) dues.  The DEADLINE TO PAY MEMBERSHIP AND PRE-REGISTRATION FEES IS ALSO MARCH 15.  The ASA Annual Meeting online system cannot be accessed until payment is confirmed via PayPal, credit card authorization, money order, or check. Checks and money orders will be entered into the online system as paid as soon as they are received.  ACT NOW!  Access to the online proposal system depends on the receipt of payment, not the individual's dispatch of it.

Individuals who are confused about administrative procedures should contact the ASA website at www.africanstudies.org or the ASA Secretariat: tel: 732-932-8173 or members@rci.rutgers.edu.

Individuals who wish to confirm ASA policies should review the correspondence that has been sent regarding the 2005 Annual Meeting (available on the ASA website, www.africanstudies.org, in the membership renewal mailing, or in the series of email messages sent by the Secretariat). The Secretariat is carefully following the considered policies of the ASA membership as established by the elected representatives on the Board of Directors.  In the basic interest of fairness and to provide the revenue necessary to sustain our full range of member services, ASA Board policies must apply to all members and others who seek to participate in ASA programs.

With all best wishes,

Bruce Berman
President

Joseph Miller
Vice President