The National Technology and Social Science conference is the year’s largest gathering of NSSA members. Held regularly in Las Vegas in April, the conference places an emphasis on technology but that does not diminish the number of presentations on other, varied topics. We are anticipating the largest conference in NSSA history with over 380 attendees and presenters. When you come to the conference you should be aware of some things that will help with your conference experience.

Sign In
     The first things you need to do when getting to the conference is to sign in and receive your conference packet. This packet contains a name tag that provides entrance to the sessions, conference schedule and coupons necessary for the cocktail party and luncheon. The sign-in and lounge area where morning continental breakfasts and coffee is available is located in the convention area. The sign-in room opens in the afternoon prior to the board meeting and is the first area to open and last to close each day.

Presentations
     The NSSA is made up of members of all social sciences and the conference presentations are as varied as the divisions within the discipline it represents. Because of this, while every effort is made to keep a common theme in a session, some sessions are made up of diverse topics. People who come to the conference enjoy the diversity of presentations and the opportunity to hear research in areas of the social sciences different from, but related to their own. This interaction among disciplines is one of the strengths of the organization and the conference.
     Session lengths vary and the number of minutes provided to each presenter during a session varies based on the time length requested on the application to present. It is important that each presenter stay within their time period including allowing time for questions when appropriate. Most sessions will have someone to moderate the time allowed. If a moderator is not present session presenters are expected to share time equally. During a session it is common for people to move from one room to another in order to catch specific presentations. If moving, please do so quietly and, if possible, during changes of presenters. Audience size varies widely from 50 people down for any presentation. Sessions are checked on by conference representatives to make sure things are running smoothly. If any problems occur during a session contact conference representatives in the sign-in room.

Equipment
     Computer and overhead projectors can be provided but must be requested. Remember that equipment fails at the worst times so having a backup is always a good idea. Presentations should be brought on jump drives or CDs. During the break before your session you should go to your presentation room to have your presentation loaded on the presentation computer. By doing this time for set up between presenters is kept to a minimum. Please allow the technician in the room to do this for you. If a technician is not there they are working in another room and will be with you shortly. Please do not load or change presentation equipment yourselves. If you have questions contact conference representative in the sign-in room.

      Internet connectivity can not be guaranteed. Do to the high cost of connectivity in the conference area there is one room with dial-up access available. If you must have connectivity make sure you have indicated this on your presentation form. Remember, this is dial-up speed so presentations requiring heavy internet use are not recommended.
     One particular problem anticipated this year is the introduction of the Office 2007 suite. These presentations may not be compatible with the PowerPoint on the presentation computer. If using the 2007 Office suite please bring both 2007 and earlier version of the file. This can be done in PowerPoint’s Save dialog by choosing to save as an Office 2003 or Office 2000 file.
Please remember that equipment will only be made available if requested in advance.

Social Opportunities
     Many people attending the conference look forward to seeing friends they have not seen since the last conference. The cocktail party, morning coffees, luncheon, breaks and Las Vegas night life all provide opportunities to make and renew friendships.

Awards Luncheon
     In addition to being a social activity, the luncheon provides the venue for the NSSA awards and recognition ceremony. Awards are given for student papers, the new president is announced and the NSSA Outstanding Member of the Year is recognized.
We will do what we can to make your experience at the NSSA National Technology and Social Science conference a pleasant and productive one. Remember that any questions can be answered in the sign-in area and to never draw to an inside straight!

CURRENT NSSA OFFICERS
President.......................... Doug Nilson
Executive Director.............. Jerry Baydo
President Elect.................. Nena Torrez
Secretary.............................Gary Doby
Tech. Consultant.....................Don Luck
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Jerry Baydo..................... Bernie Arenz
Ron Tarullo.....................Steve Candee

     As my term of office as president of the National Social Science Association comes to an end, I am reminded of why I joined this association over twenty years ago. Beyond the wonderful conference sites and superb publications that the association has produced over the years, it is ultimately the fabulous people that have keep this organization going and sustained my involvement. From executive director, Jerry Baydo, his lovely and hard-working wife Dianne, the presidents who have served before me (Rex, Bernie, Ron, Gayle, Michael), the governing board members, and all the conference participants have all given me memories that I will never forget. It has not always been an easy task to keep this association going, what with declining budgets, increased costs and reduced institutional support, but it has always been well worth the effort to do so. I am truly grateful for your attendance, your contributions and your support.

Steve Candee
Lane Community College
Eugene Oregon

Steve Candee

Setting Sail on Tenure
Track

Barbara R. Peterson, Ed.D.
Austin Peay State University
Clarksvlle, TN

     The annual NSSA Fall Professional Development Conference took place from October 5th through October 8th, 2007 aboard a Carnival Cruise Ship from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Never in my wildest dreams as a doctoral student, did I imagine my first presentation as an Assistant Professor to be aboard a cruise ship. I attended conferences before, but they now paled in comparison to the romantic notion of a conference cruise along the Baha Peninsula.
     This unique conference attracted an eclectic group of scholars from around the country. Topics ranged from National and International Politics, Economics and Social Justice, Education, Literature and Teaching, and Social Sciences in Action. It was an impressive array of topics with an equally impressive group of scholars. Unlike other conferences I have attended, I was able to step outside

of my professional arena and enter other professional worlds. This diversity energized my own professional focus by enriching my knowledge of scholarship outside of education. My colleagues and I agreed it was refreshing to attend presentations that didn’t reiterate concepts we had been exposed to many times before.
     Would I recommend this conference? My answer is “yes”, without hesitation. The conference was well organized and accommodations were easily arranged. I had several questions about submitting the proposal and subsequently making arrangements to attend the conference. Jerry Baydo and the NSSA staff were quick to respond and provided excellent service.
     I attended this conference with two colleagues. In April six colleagues and I will be attending the National Technology and Social Science conference in Las Vegas. Dr. Baydo and his staff again responded quickly and patiently answered our various questions.
     The National Social Science Association has a family like feel, and makes you feel welcome in their home. I am looking forward to the conference in Las Vegas, but did you know about the Alaska Cruise in August?

Last spring the association launched its new website at http://www.nssa.us This website tour will familiarize you with the website and even allow you to participate in the announcements area of the website.
      The opening page of the website gives an overview of the association and its various activities and publications. The association hosts a national spring meeting, a summer seminar and a fall conference. The association attempts to hold these meetings in attractive locations and even on cruise ships. All papers from the various meetings and seminars can be submitted to the National Social Science Perspectives Journal which is the proceedings journal from the meetings. All papers can also be submitted to the National Social Science Journal which is the strictly refereed journal of the association. The association is renewing its listings in all major abstract and index publications for the national journal.
     On the left column of the home page you will find About NSSA which gives an overview and history of the association and its goals. The Membership Form is a form that can be sent to the association office in California for membership in the association. Conferences and Seminars takes you to an overview of the two conferences and the summer seminar. There are also links from that page to the individual conferences and seminars. There are proposal forms for all meetings along with a program summary and registration form for the Las Vegas meeting. Publications takes you to the publications page where you find a master index to all articles published in the National Social Science Journal, plus an index for the last two years of this journal publication. Here is the electronic journal for last year and this year. Plus you will find the table of contents for the National Social Science Perspectives Journals. More and more faculty from across the country and outside the country are reading the national journal articles in electronic format.

     On the left column of the home page you will also find a message from Steve Candee who is our outgoing president, a list of board members and officers and executive council members. Plus there is a recognition of the work of Nina Williams who was chosen as an outstanding board member for her work for the association. Our spring newsletter will be found from the Newsletter area of the home page. Finally our Announcements area is our blog area of the association website and we welcome all information from our members for this area. The Contact Us includes a form that can be filled in and sent directly to our association office.
     We are continually updating and revising our website; we hope that you spend some time taking your own tour of this website to keep up on the activities and publications of the association and again your blogs are welcomed.

NSSA Website at http://www.nssa.us

     Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico is once again the site of the NSSA fall conference. The association held a fall meeting there ten years ago and this was a very successful and well attended conference. We expect another good crowd for this upcoming fall conference. The host hotel is the Hotel Albuquerque which was the Sheraton Albuquerque when we met there last. The location of the hotel is an excellent one there in old town with all the shops and restaurants and historic sites.
      The association was able to get discounted rates of $139 single or double for the meeting. The conference will start on Sunday night with a complimentary cocktail party and sessions will take place on Monday and Tuesday. All publications can be submitted to the National Social Science Perspectives Journal and also can be submitted to the National Social Science Journal. All participants receive a certificate for professional development hours.
      The site of Albuquerque is an attractive one because it is not far from Santa Fe and Taos to the north; plus there are a variety of locations to visit in the general Albuquerque area. Southwest Airlines serves the area and the airfare rates are quite reasonable, especially if booked well ahead of the meeting.
      We look forward to your participation at our fall conference in New Mexico. There is a proposal form found on our website and proposal forms were mailed to all members of the association.