February 29, 2012

Conference on Women’s and Children’s Health in the Middle East

• Day-long conference next fall in early November on women and children’s health in the Middle East
• Invited 7 speakers
  • Professors at universities – fieldwork in Middle East
  • Yale, 3 international speakers, University of Haifa, Cambridge, and Ottawa
• Funding from two sources already
• Seeking MESSA volunteers and funds

• Buy MESSA stationary

• Storage space for MESSA

• Arabic Circle – Dalit Kimor event – coming up

End of the Year event:

• Add our funding to CMES
• Combine our event with theirs

Lights

• Reviewing all of the submissions this week

February 15, 2012

Arab Cuisine Cooking Event

• Raffle 5 copies and have 10 for sale
• Email needs to go out tomorrow – RSVP deadline
• Volunteers for clean-up

Shabbat Dinner

• South Lounge at Reynolds Club
• Friday, February 24
• About $160 ea. – total $320
• Harris School – Funding?
• Café Americo, Café Valencia (?), café babariva
• $60 from Harris
• Invitation

February 1, 2012

Request for MESSA funds

• Noha made a request for Arabic Circle – $40 a week for ten sessions
• Coordinate with Ussama’s movies (?)

Cooking lesson with Naji’s mom

• Feb. 27^th at Swift Hall
• Reserve forms are on their way – room requests and security
• Book situation
  • $34.99 is the list price for a book
• She said like 80 people could come with different stations and she could circulate
• She can prep stuff ahead of time and do everything beyond an oven would be in front of the group at different stages
• Send out an RSVP emails ASAP
  • We can let CMES RSVP first and then let others
  • The Divinity School was interested in this event as well
  • Ensure attendance through minimal fee ($5)
• Payment
  • We’re paying for the food – we’d have to know ahead of time to find out what she needs – reimburse Naji?
  • Seminary coop might be able to send someone with books to handle the payments – they’ll do it for free if a certain number of people show up – let them know by Feb. 13
  • Buy five books and raffle them off in addition to selling them Figure out how to do the raffle – we’ll do 5 books
  • Will be decided ASAP
  • ORCSA can issue a check to Swift Hall (?)

Poetry Event

• Have between 13-15 people
• Languages: Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Armenian Uzbek, Hittite (Greek and Latin?) Urdu?
• Asked Kevin Blankship to consider acting as MC – comedy Deadline for submissions is Wednesday
• 5 minute limit, expect them to take 8 minutes; need translation
• Need to figure out prizes and food now
  • Chris: Can give cash but not gift certificates, so:
  • Books of poetry from the Co-op (with gift receipts!), or something from the OI, for say the top three people
  • Little box of chocolate for everyone
  • Perhaps in lieu of professor panel, just do ballots
    • Andrew will make programs; we could use them as ballots
• Let’s say we have $100 = 3 x $20 books, $40 for chocolate + $300 for food and wine (and more non-alcoholic drinks than we got last time), $75 each for alcohol and non-alcohol, $150 for cheese
  • Need prior written approval for serving alcohol by Friday because undergrads will be present

End of the Year Party

• Still looking into using the OI

January 18, 2012

POETRY NIGHT

• To appeal to a wider audience, now anyone who wants to recite poetry, may.
• Offering prizes, make it into a competition. 2-4 faculty members as judges.
• Certificate to a restaurant, fancy pens, etc.
• Get a projector, put it out on all the list hosts.
• Flyer—Gwen will make it
• Food will be provided
• Posters up by 27^th
• February 10^th, 2012—from 4-6 pm.

Shabbat DINNER—AVAILABLE NEXT FRIDAY, 6 OR 7 O’CLOCK.

• RSVP ONLY—TO SHOW UP.
• EVERY COORDINATOR TO INVITE 14 OTHER People.

COOKING EVENT—NAJI’S MOTHER, CHEF.

• Found a room in the Divinity School—has small kitchen, cooking demonstration vs. getting everyone to participate
• Theme—Entrees, Desserts. $200 for 4 hours.  3-5 chefs, Naji’s mom teaches how to cook a meal. after 2 hours, security guard needed.
• February 24^TH for the event
• $260=$200 for room, $60 for guard, $400 on food, gift for Naji’s mom

Graduation Party

• $4000 to spend

BAKE SALE

• Made a little over $100 – some went towards journals that were sold

SWEATSHIRTS—COST=$1400, SOLD AROUND $500 ALREADY

DR. SAROSH, PERSIAN EVENT—

• MESSA, CAN IT PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS?
• ENTIRE EVENT IN PERSIAN…IF EXTRA MONEY, 8 MORE SESSIONS, IF WE DONATE $40 OR $60, EVEN $20 IS FINE.

ELECTIONS FOR NEW MESSA OFFICERS? END OF THIS QUARTER

BUSINESS CARDS? REORDERING.

ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT UPCOMING OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY—

• FEB. 17^TH, LAST SPRING IN EARLY APRIL. OPEN DISCUSSION WITH STUDENTS TO TALK ABOUT MIDDLE EAST IN AN OPEN, HONEST AND DESCRIPTIVE WAY. AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE EXPERT. IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, LET ALEX BARNA KNOW

PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST, ISRAELI CONSULATE—THEY WILL TALK ABOUT ISRAEL/PALESTINE. DO IT AGAIN THE SPRING AS WELL.

FRIDAY LECTURE NIGHT, ATTENDANCE-WISE, HAS GONE DOWN IN THE MA PROGRAM. 4 pm on Friday, reception at 5:30. 45 MIN LECTURE/15 MIN OF SOCIAL EVENT. LECTURE/NOT A WORKSHOP.

 

WINTER BREAK

 

November 29, 2011

Poetry Event

• Masters students will be encouraged (extra credit for language courses) to present a poem in their foreign language, option of accompanying student presenting English translation
• To be held Friday, February 10th (6th week), likely in Pick Ground Floor Lounge
• A Valentines’ Day Tie-In: All Kinds of Love Poetry Will Be Encouraged
• Finger food and wine will be arranged
• Andrew will write language instructors about making event participation count for extra credit

Finances

• Kristen: we can use funds for t-shirts and journals, not reimbursable, must get check ahead of time
• Bake sale to be held first or second week ; we expect to earn around $100

Journal

• Journal Update: $380 total for 80-page journal for 50 copies; we’re getting 50 copies for 100 page-journal, may run between 400 and 410 dollars, a recurring fee, every quarter, Auggie will front, Humanities reimburses half immediately, half from elsewhere
• 1st edtion before Dec. 12

Website

• Gwen has been updating it. If you have pictures from events, please send to Gwen for website.
• Please take pictures at CMES and Middle East-related events you attend for the website.
• Farhad’s guide will go up on website soon

Shirts

• MESA – Tracy would like to sell shirts, sweatshirts
• Sweatshirts will be $20, pre-ordered by form, a $3 profit for MESSA; Grey with maroon lettering

November 15, 2011

CMES New Website

• Same template as other centers at UChicago
• Somewhat active
• Goal of website:
  • Info of CMES – esp. MA Program
  • Promotes CMES
  • Provides certain educational resources on Middle East
• Cmes.sites.uchicago.edu – temporary address
• Ideally, hub for all ME websites related to UChicago
• MA Program Page:
  • Insufficient information
  • Compare to other terminal MA programs at UChicago with websites
  • Give suggestions to Alex or Dr. Walker

T Shirts

• Time to reorder
• 48 Shirts < 12 Shirts in Cost
• 17.29 + $347 for 48 if we sold the first 10 or 20 pre sale we could cover a significant percentage of the cost
• Decision will be made via executive board

Funding for Lights (new MESSA journal)

• We need $250-300 for printing
• Bake Sale – early Winter Quarter

Thanksgiving Event

• $404 for catering – will save $40 on tax exemption – use extra money on dessert
• Move event to 5:30 PM
• Drinks and alcohol – Binny’s

Future Events

• Middle East Poetry Reading

Cultural Event – Chastity and Naji

• Naji’s mom – preparation of Arab food
• Still finding space to accommodate the event

 

November 1, 2011

FUNATICAL

• 20 tickets – only 15 people have signed up
• Fully funded for this event by Social Sciences Dept. but will cost $5
• Enough drivers to shuttle everyone – 50 minute drive

CULTURAL EVENT

• Chastity with Naji — Arab Culinary Event – Update coming

EID EVENT

• MSA – co sponsor
• Have asked us to cover the henna artist and advertising
• MSA has not reserved a room for this event
  • Have reserved only the Social Sciences tea room for Monday – too small; can’t use it
• Possible female only henna event
• Discussion:
  • Increases costs with two events
  • There is a lot of disorganization; unsure as of now if/how event will occur
• Meeting tomorrow with representatives of MSA at CMES lounge at 4:30 PM

SOCIAL SCIENCES UPDATE

• We received $1246 for the year for social events for CMES for MESSA events
• This quarter, we asked for and received:
  • $150 – TBD social event
  • $400 funding for a cultural night
• We don’t lose money that we don’t use during the quarter
• Options for this money:
  • Thanksgiving potluck dinner – Nov. 18
    • Middle East style Thanksgiving – catered by Palestinian Arab restaurant at 87^th and Houston with pies
    • Pick Lounge or room reservation
    • Bring Your Own Drinks
    • For CMES students and staff
    • Estimate: 35 people will attend

October 18, 2011

EVENTS

• MESSA Pub Night – 2 more opportunities this quarter
• Egyptian Documentary Film:

1. Suggested by Noha Forster to screen a documentary about Tahrir Square and the revolution for approximately 40 people
2. Asked for financial help from MESSA and include the local Egyptian comm.
3. MESSA members present at meeting agreed to contribute up to $200
4. Event will be scheduled for Thurs. Oct. 27 at 6:00 PM (Location TBD)
5. Posters – Gwen

[ **Side Note – How to better promote events: Calendars, CMES, Posters]

• Eid
• FUNATICAL – Middle Eastern Comedy Group

1. Event on Saturday. Nov. 5
2. American Islamic College’s auditorium on 640 West Irving Park Road
3. General admission is $15
4. If event is subsidized, must ensure that attendees will show up
5. Can we get Social Sciences money to help subsidize this?
6. In Irving Park – need transportation (i.e. Volunteers with cars)

• Naji Bisisu – Mom’s Cookbook

1. Cultural night?

JOURNAL

• Sub Committee of Publications has met twice.  Includes:  Leah, Nadia, Auggie, Gwen, John
• Update:

1. Will accept submissions for scholarly and creative works and photography
2. Deadline for this quarter is Friday, November 4
3. Will be published both online and in print
4. Rob Green’s thesis from last year will be published
5. Scoring rubric that will be used to determine which submissions to accept has already been sent out – will be used mainly for academic articles
6. Prof. Donner’s proposal:  Semi or annual journal w/ prof.s and PhD students
7. Suggestions based on Prof. Donner’s proposal:  Concerns were to ensure that MA students would be published; Faculty advisory board but a student-run publication; Reserve certain proportions for professors; Book Reviews – allow MA students an opportunity to be published

MESSA MEMBERS UPDATES/NEWS

• Doc Films Turkish series

1. Mostly special events- fit in around regular programming
2. Two of the films will be on Thursday evenings
3. Andrew Alger will need two 100 word capsules based on two of the movies:
4. This is an opportunity to be published – viewed by 14,000 circulation
5. Social Sciences meets monthly and Humanities meets only the second week of every quarter

 

May 24, 2011

Workshops for next year

• Fulbright workshop with Tom
• Technology and research workshop with Woods
• Public speaking workshop with someone from outside the University

We need to reorganize the MESSA email list: include NELC, and Woods, and any interested undergrads

First week: orientation week, RSO fair, MESSA should have a table there

Women in the Middle East Lecture Series

• Event would be every two weeks in winter quarter
• Also could be part of the MEHAT conference
• Currently envisioning 4 speakers
• Possible topics:

1. Anya’s aunt – Pakistani women’s’ rights activist
2. Someone in Israel fighting against sex trafficking
3. Someone from Iran focusing on media and reporting in revolutions
4. Someone from Netherlands/France who deal with Muslims in Europe
5. Camille Harrison- NELC , : focuses on Maghribi population in the south of France

• Fulbright office brings people out and pays them to make speeches at universities.  They publish a list on this. People never take advantage of this
• Apply to International Studies; Norman Waits; Harris money?

 

NELC Liaison

• Andrea Brown? Need to ask her.

End of Year Event

• Friday, June 3 – NELC end of the year BBQ – CMES is included
• Tentative event — Friday, June 10 at Greektown rooftop bar

T- Shirts

• Sweatshirts, different color t-shirts, etc.?
• Sell at orientation, MEHAT, and other conferences/events
• Plan strategic opportunities to sell them

 

May 10

• Allocations/Budget
  • Received substantially less than MESSA did last year; only received $1400
    • This is because we have so much left over from last year
    • We will have next year approx. $5900 (including the $1400)
    • Up to us on how we spend the money – we do have a broad budget already planned
• Major Events prior to graduation Class of 2012
  • No real events dealing with women’s issues in the Middle East
  • Anya: International Women’s Day is March 8, 2012 or quarter lecture series
    • Good opportunity for panel/day long event for different approaches/problems for women in the Middle East
    • Middle East will be broadly defined
    • Could have this co-sponsored by several different departments/programs, if we plan far enough in advance
    • Also open to people writing their theses/dissertations
    • Possible budget:

March 30

1. Updates (Alex)

• Friday April 29^th – take a group to Kankakee Community College to meet with the Middle Eastern Studies instructor and students: Leave in the morning and stay until lunch – Meet informally with students (i.e. roundtable) – Niebal, Atoor, Andrew Alger will attend
• CMES Website – Is being worked on
• Survey – Should be sending out a program evaluation in the next few weeks

2. Constitutional Amendments

• Specific duties fall under certain positions of the board
• Website: PR and Secretary
• Workshops: CMES Liaison
• Vote: all voted yes to include amendments

3. Iranian Film Series (Andrew)

• Is on the calendar, Thursday evenings at 7pm (1^st – 9^th week)
• Tickets are $5, or buy a pass if planning to see the entire series
• Schedule should be out next week, though available on the website docfilms.org
• Director originally contacted cannot make it
• But Jamsheed Akrami has said yes already to take the opening
• Details on budgeting to be worked out
• Trying to work on a reception, either when the director is here or at the end of the series

4. Events

• Prospective Students Day – April 8th: Social at Niebal’s place after Friday lecture series reception
• Workshops: Goal is to do two a month – Have a few people lined up to do the first 2 or 3 – CMES Liaison to work on this with those already planning the workshops
• Budget Allocation Meeting (April 4, 7 or 9): Who will attend? April 4^th Danielle, AndrewApril 7^th Leah, Chris
• Budget will be due April 24^th, hard copy due the following day

5. MEHAT Reception (May 15^th) in Ida Noyes

• Need roughly 20 volunteers: 10 there to unload food, 2 to serve food, others to set-up and clean-up
• Need car(s) and 2-3 people to pick up food, because restaurant doesn’t deliver
• Need to order food and submit request, at least 4 weeks ahead of time
• Need to bring nice knives to cut lamb and serving spoons, someone will need to bring plates (will be reimbursed)
• Take down all chairs and tables
• Return the serving trays sent from restaurant
• Check out volunteer form on the MESSA blog

6. Changes to be made – new board members will take over the following responsibilities within the next week

• Listhost: President and Secretary
• Website: PR and Secretary
• Account: President and Treasurer
• Handbook: Keep accounts of events, budget, contacts

March 2

1.)    A MESSA-sponsored bi-monthly (twice a month) academic/professional development workshop.

• Presented by students or professors, meet for 1 hour
• Designed by students for students
• Alex can help in the networking aspect within Chicago because of outreach opportunities – There are centers for field specific careers (from CAPS) some of these people are willing to lead workshops for the students
• May need to create a budget for this workshop for speaker’s fees, etc.
• Formal instruction for use of the library (possibly part of the workshop and/or orientation)
• Include in constitution that each board member must create one of the workshops throughout the year? To discuss at next MESSA meeting

2.)    Expanding MESSA’s social presence on campus (cross-program outreach).

• Especially between CMES, NELC and undergraduates
• Attend NELC social hours on Wednesdays and have NELC students come to Thursday Happy Hours – to get to know other groups better
• OR have a specific combined social hour – maybe something next quarter?

3.)    New Student Orientation Expansion

• A more involved orientation for new M.A. students in the fall
• Design an orientation in the spring so that way it is ready for the fall
• Have a more specific survey for students to fill out (maybe have two during the year) – which will lead to speakers for the workshops

4.)    Other Ideas and Notes

• New survey possibly available after spring break
• Prospective Day – April 8^th —- Will be discussed at next meeting: DocFilms excursion?, Pair students with similar interests or have a few students available for certain areas, Have student profiles on the website so people can contact us directly, Center will have a reception and then MESSA will have a social after, Material/Brochure – MESSA to work on that before prospective day (Website, FAQ, Board/Student Profiles)
• Mentors/Buddy System between incoming students and current students
• Advisor system: 5-6 students to one faculty member, for 1^st years