Date: Tue, 05 May 1998 09:29:12 -0700 From: Spectors Reply-To: Spectors@mail.netnitco.net To: PROGRESSIVE SOCIOLOGISTS NETWORK Subject: Marxist Newsletter Editor Needed --------------E171B55EA662799BCB8F54A6 The Editor of the Section on Marxist Sociology's Newsletter (From the Left or FTL) will be retiring from that post at the end of the summer. TR Young, the tireless activist whose projects have encompassed so many aspects of movement building, from archiving valuable writings to boosting young Marxist and humanist scholars to working to develop Marxist theory in creative directions and, of course, to being the current editor of From the Left, will be leaving that post in August. TR's current activities include a comprehensive project to archive many, many papers--empirical, experimental, theoretical, conceptual--developed by writers with a wide range of interests. Many of these papers would likely be lost over the years, as the writers move on to other projects. How many of us have preliminary drafts of various projects from many years ago---drafts that are currently stored "somewhere"....on yellowing paper underneath some old journals in the bottom of a carton in the basement....papers that might be of interest to current researchers wanting to explore just how activists and scholars conceived of social issues in the 1960's and 1970's? How valuable it will be for current and future researchers to have access to the works that TR is currently assembling. The convergence of computers, the InterNet, and e-mail technology with TR's dedication to discovering, collecting, and archiving these works will prove to be a valuable resource for years to come. TR has expressed regret at leaving the FTL editorship, but wisely pointed out that younger sociologists need the experience and training at taking over the organizational forms of Marxist sociology as Marxist sociology will benefit from the insights of younger sociologists. To understand the importance of TR's work, just compare FTL to many of the other section newsletters. Many of them are mainly dry collections of members' recent publications--FTL has wide ranging theoretical think-pieces, book reviews, debates, as well as announcements of various sorts. We'll all miss TR's contributions, but he has proposed working closely with the new editor for an issue or two as needed. On to the job description: The Newsletter has been published 4 times/year. It has generally been six pages long (one 11" X 17" sheet folded in half, printed both sides for four pages, and one 8 1/2" X 11" sheet inserted, for another two pages). The editor should, of course, have some skills in word processing and document layout (how to do columns, etc.), although these can be learned rather quickly. More important is a dedication, almost a passion, for wanting to produce a quality newsletter. This means keeping a sharp eye on issues within society and within sociology and asking people with important insights to write for the newsletter. It means the ability to plan ahead, to solicit articles well in advance of the deadline, to evaluate which notices of conferences and publications are the most useful for Section members to read, and of course, the ability to remind contributors when the deadlines are fast approaching. I don't think that it is an overwhelming amount of work; the hours put in are very flexible, but it would require some organizational skills. For more info on the types and amount of work involved, you can contact TR personally. His e-mail is tr@tryoung.com The previous editor, Lauren Langmann, who also did a fine job with FTL would probably also answer any questions you might have about the particulars---his e-mail is YLPSLLO@cpua.luc.edu I hope the length of this message does not give the impression that the work is very time-consuming or tedious.The editorship gives the editor a chance to help shape the direction of debates and discussions; it is not simply a bureaucratic responsibility. This is a terrific opportunity to develop new skills and broaden one's contacts and relationships within sociology. It also makes a very valuable contribution to the maintenance and development of Marxist sociology. Please contact me if you are interested or if you know someone who might be a good candidate for this position. You can reach me at: SPECTOR@CALUMET.PURDUE.EDU or SPECTORS@NETNITCO.NET Thanks, Alan Spector Current Chair, Section on Marxist Sociology --------------E171B55EA662799BCB8F54A6     The Editor of the Section on Marxist Sociology's Newsletter (From the Left or FTL) will be retiring from that post at the end of the summer.  TR Young, the tireless activist whose projects have encompassed so many aspects of movement building, from archiving valuable writings to boosting young Marxist and humanist scholars to working to develop Marxist theory in creative directions and, of course, to being the current editor of From the Left, will be leaving that post in August.

    TR's current activities include a comprehensive project to archive many, many papers--empirical, experimental, theoretical, conceptual--developed by writers with a wide range of interests.  Many of these papers would likely be lost over the years, as the writers move on to other projects.  How many of us have preliminary drafts of various projects from many years ago---drafts that are currently stored "somewhere"....on yellowing paper underneath some old journals in the bottom of a carton in the basement....papers that might be of interest to current researchers wanting to explore just how activists and scholars conceived of social issues in the 1960's and 1970's?  How valuable it will be for current and future researchers to have access to the works that TR is currently assembling. The convergence of computers, the InterNet, and e-mail technology with TR's dedication to discovering, collecting, and archiving these works will prove to be a valuable resource for years to come.  TR has expressed regret at leaving the FTL editorship, but wisely pointed out that younger sociologists need the experience and training at taking over the organizational forms of Marxist sociology as Marxist sociology will benefit from the insights of younger sociologists.  To understand the importance of TR's work, just compare FTL to many of the other section newsletters. Many of them are mainly dry collections of members' recent publications--FTL has wide ranging theoretical think-pieces, book reviews, debates, as well as announcements of various sorts.  We'll all miss TR's contributions, but he has proposed working closely with the new editor for an issue or two as needed.  On to the job description:
 

    The Newsletter has been published 4 times/year.  It has generally been six pages long (one 11" X 17" sheet folded in half, printed both sides for four pages, and one 8 1/2" X 11" sheet inserted, for another two pages).  The editor should, of course, have some skills in word processing and document layout (how to do columns, etc.), although these can be learned rather quickly.  More important is a dedication, almost a passion, for wanting to produce a quality newsletter. This means keeping a sharp eye on issues within society and within sociology and asking people with important insights to write for the newsletter.  It means the ability to plan ahead, to solicit articles well in advance of the deadline, to evaluate which notices of conferences and publications are the most useful for  Section members to read, and of course, the ability to remind contributors when the deadlines are fast approaching.  I don't think that it is an overwhelming amount of work; the hours put in are very flexible, but it would require some organizational skills. For more info on the types and amount of work involved, you can contact TR personally.   His e-mail is tr@tryoung.com  The previous editor, Lauren Langmann, who also did a fine job with FTL would probably also answer any questions you might have about the particulars---his e-mail is YLPSLLO@cpua.luc.edu

    I hope the length of this message does not give the impression that the work is very time-consuming or tedious.The editorship gives the editor a chance to help shape the direction of debates and discussions; it is not simply a bureaucratic responsibility.  This is a terrific opportunity to develop new skills and broaden one's contacts and relationships within sociology.  It  also makes a very valuable contribution to the maintenance and development of Marxist sociology.

    Please contact me if you are interested or if you know someone who might be a good candidate for this position.

You can reach me at:  SPECTOR@CALUMET.PURDUE.EDU    or SPECTORS@NETNITCO.NET
 

Thanks,
 

Alan Spector
Current Chair, Section on Marxist Sociology --------------E171B55EA662799BCB8F54A6--