A meeting of members of The American Ceramic Society residing in New York State, exclusive of the metropolitan area, was called by M.E. Holmes at the Statler Hotel, Buffalo, NY, January 29, 1944 at 1:00 pm.

The following were present: M.E. Holmes, C.R. Amberg, C.M. Harder, R.M. Campbell, S.R. Scholes, and J.F. McMahon, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred, NY; S.F. Walton, Exolon Co., Tonawanda, NY; James P. Mulroy, Department of Education, Buffalo, NY, Charles Jacobs, Art School, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Alice Flannigan, Buffalo Pottery Inc., Buffalo, NY; Lulu Scott Backus, Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute, Rochester, NY; J.L. Austin, Arthur Falter, Peter de Leeuw, and Joseph A. Proe, Jr., Carborundum Co., Niagara Falls, NY; G.D. Phillips, Olean Tile Co., Olean, NY; J.T. Littleton and W. Oakley, Corning Glass Works, Corning, NY; H.D. Prior, E.E. Kunzman, and Everett Thomas, Titanium Alloy Mfg. Co., Niagara Falls, NY, Paul Whelan, Earl Solomon, Grant S. Diamond, and Milton H. Berns, Electro Refractories & Alloys Corp., Buffalo, NY; and R.C. Purdy, General Secretary, The American Ceramic Society, Inc., Columbus, OH.

The meeting was called to order by M.E. holmes, who conducted an election for a Chairman. Milton H. Berns was elected, and appointed E.E. Kunzman as temporary secretary.

The Chairman called upon M.E. Holmes to explain the purposes of the meeting. He stated that in a recent conversation with President Bales it was suggested that a Local Section of the American Ceramic Society be formed comprising New York State exclusive of the metropolitan area. He told of the questionnaire which he submitted to 157 members in this area. Although only 20% of these questionnaires were returned, nearly all of the 20% were in favor of such an organization.

The Chairman threw open the meeting for discussion and called upon each person present to express himself on the question. The remarks are summarized as follows:

R.C. Purdy: Discussed other Local Sections. Such Sections have been helpful in building up the spirit and activities of the Society. They help local industries; they often tie in with industries peculiar to a certain section. There is usually quite a social feature connected with most Sections. They build up acquaintances and solidarity to promote programs of The American Ceramic Society.

M.E. Holmes: Such an organization should not have as a primary objective the promoting of the interest of the Ceramic Association of New York or of the New York State College of Ceramics.

S.F. Walton: There was a Western New York Section of the American Ceramic Society during World War I which died out because of postwar problems. He would like to see something on this order renewed or continued. Should try to bring in plant executives and superintendents and interest them in the Society.

R.C. Purdy: Local Sections have many members who are not members of the American Ceramic Society.

C.R. Amberg: Local Sections can be stimulating and offer opportunity for students to contact ceramists.

J.P. Mulroy: Discussed a local body of engineers which had been successful only because the social activities were stressed. Might be difficult to get together a program for ceramists as Buffalo has few ceramic plants.

G. S. Diamond: Such an organization would form a nucleus for Alfred graduates. He noted that there is quite a Society membership in this section. Highly endorsed such a Section to be built around younger and less well-known men rather than top men in management.

R.C. Purdy: Mentioned that Local Sections often arranged meetings with other local organizations.

E. Solomon: Favored such a move. Felt that after formal organization many more men would attend.

C. Jacobs: Stressed the need of getting the "little" people interested. Should get Buffalo and the general public educated to U.S. ceramics.

A. Flannigan: Felt that such an organization would offer an excellent opportunity to contact ceramists who are unable to attend The American Ceramic society Meeting.

C.M. Harder: Believed ceramic artists would be definitely interested.

L.S. Backus: Should have round-table talks and get acquainted but not concentrate on social functions. Could work toward rehabilitation of servicemen.

R.M. Campbell: Declared it was an excellent opportunity for social and educational contacts. Against setting up an organization as a direct booster of the New York State College of Ceramics. Should advertise in papers and invite the public to hear speakers and educate them on ceramics. Stated that the amount of territory involved might be a drawback.

J.L. Austin: Believed we should affiliate with The AMerican Ceramic Society and put the younger men to the fore.

G.D. Phillips: Commented on the healthy atmosphere prevailing at the present meeting inasmuch as all present seemed very open minded on the subject. Should try to definitely foresee the outcome of such a society and to decide just what relations with the New York Sate College of Ceramics would be.

(There then ensued a discussion on such a relation between R.C. Purdy and G.D. Phillips).

R.C. Purdy: The American Ceramic Society encourages Local Sections where overlapping of local interests are not prevalent.

G.D. Phillips: Should keep entirely apart fro the New York State College of Ceramics.

S.R. Scholes: Should make a study of the scope of influence and interests. Such an organization would be a great service to the New York State College of Ceramics even it it is not a stated purpose.

J.T. Littleton: Proposed the direct questions, "Will it be worthwhile?" "Will it be good for The American Ceramic Society and also local members?"

It should help broaden the field of activity of The American Ceramic Society because it would give opportunity to more men to participate in Society activities because a Local Section would hold frequent meetings, thereby enabling the various plants to allow their men to take turns in attending. Felt many replies to M.E. Holmes were of a group nature representing many more than those actually received. Stated that the organization should be sponsored by a very interest individual who has time and energy to take it over. Believed someone from Alfred should be the one as it would benefit them considerably. Could be of great value to Society members who cannot attend Annual Meetings.

A. Falter: Would draw many men who have no other local organization to interest themselves in.

H.D. Prior: Concluded that the group seemed to want to form and stand alone on both a technical and social basis. Territorial limits as now set up would offer unlimited possibilities for programs.

P. Whelan: Would give a chance to meet others in industry. Should not be too technical.

J.A. Proe, Jr.: National meeting is too difficult to attend for younger and less influential man.

J.F. McMahon: Favored a group as such to further purposes of The American Ceramic Society and boost young men in industry.

E. Thomas: Would give men a chance for a day off from work after the past year's pressure.

It was then moved and seconded that the group establish itself as the Upstate New York Section of The American Ceramic Society for a charter. Motion was carried by acclamation.

Ross Purdy offered to submit material covering suggested mode of organization and by-laws.

A motion was passed to establish an organization committee of three to prepare plans and to arrange for a future meeting for nominaion and election of officers; also to invte the President of The American Ceramic Society.

The motion was amended to the effect that the present Chairman be continued until the next meeting.

It was recommended that (1) the committee be representative of all sections; (2) the committee decide the time and place of the next meeting; (3) the committee either nominate or appoint a nominating committee; (4) the committee or elected officers obtain an up-to-date list of Society members in this section.

A motion was passed to take up a collection from members to cover nominal expenses of the committee.

Ross Purcdy offered to have minutes of this meeting manifolded by the Columbus office.

Meeting adjourned by motion.

Respectfully submitted,
E.E. KUNZMAN
Temporary Secretary

From the Bulletin of The American Ceramic Society, Vol. 23. No. 3, (1944), pp. 120-21.

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