Changes

The '''Annual Convention ''' of The Augustan Society, Inc., will be has traditinally been held in person on or after 18 about the date of the [[Annual Meeting]], which has been set as the second Saturday in August of each calendar year. Normally There are valid reasons for canceling the Annual Convention at times. More importantly, this due to membership residing in all corners of the globe, it has been realized that greater participation will be had at conventions held online. The 2021 Annual Meeting was the first to be held via Zoom videoconference, which was found generally satisfactory. It is centered around planned to continue to hold the Saturday on or next following Annual Meeting this way for the 18thforeseeable future due to greater accessibility.  What follows is historic information about how in-person conventions were held in the last few years of same, but there against the date when this again becomes desirable; ==Hosts== Each Annual Convention is no reason why it could not organized by a Host, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the [[President]]. Host duties include: * Selection of a hotel;* Identifying meeting space, which might be delayed furtherrented, perhaps much furtherin a guest room, or a public space;* Selecting restaurants suitable for causeFellows Dinner and Banquet, plus other restaurants suitable for casual breakfasts and lunches;* Recommending social activities as may seem appropriate; and* Should attendance be expected to exceed twelve, the Host should attempt to solicit a speaker. Authorization for comping his meal (perhaps plus one) or any honorarium must be obtained from the President and be within the budget. Hosts are not authorized to obligate the Society nor are they expected to pay for any activity other than their own. Such arrangements are possible, where appropriate, but require prior [[Board]] approval. 

The location of the Annual Convention is presently rotated about the United States based on the availability of volunteer hosts. The intent is not to repeat in the same region on consecutive years, and to eventually see all regions represented in proportion to the membership. There is no prohibition against meeting outside the United States, but one would not expect such a proposal until there was a substantial membership in such other country.

Consuls have offered [[Headquarters Staff]] might be asked to host the Annual Convention in Orlando when for various reasons a Host or location become unavailable during the year of the convention, or when it's decided to avoid the expense of an out-of-town convention. Should this not happen for an extended period, it may be prudent to hold a convention in Orlando occasionally that new Directors might tour the storage facilities and thus obtain a better understanding of the magnitude of the challengechallenges at Headquarters.

*18 August, whatever day of the week that might be:The [[Annual Membership Meeting]] is called to order at 10am, then immediately recessed to the Saturday of the Convention at that location. This opening session may be held at or near [[Headquarters]].*Thursday::*An informal welcome dinner, organized by the [[Host]], paid by the attendees;*Friday::*Meetings of [[Sub-Groups]] and [[Committees]];:*Presentation of papers;:*The [[Fellowship|Fellows]] dinner. Nominally restricted to Fellows, others may attend as the guest of a Fellow.*Saturday::*The recessed [[Annual Membership Meeting]], including (regardless of a quorum being had):::*The announcement of the results of the [[Elections]];::Consuls' annual *A [[State of the Society]] addressfrom the outgoing Chairman (or President if no Chairman has been elected), or his appointee.:*A meeting of the [[Board|Board of Directors]]. At this meeting the new [[Directors]] will be installed, outgoing Directors excused, and such other business as may come before the Board(this presumes the election was held and all new Directors can be installed). This meeting will replace the usual meeting time of the third Saturday.:*The [[Annual Banquet]], semi-formal or formal, generally including:::*Presentation of [[Fellowship]] insignia earned in the prior yearto those in attendance;::*Presentation of the [[Awards|Balling or Metzler Award]] for the prior year;::*After-dinner talk or film, attendance warranting.*Sunday::*Social activities, generally focusing on the host city. The above is history, not prescription. Especially considering the present gap in conventions, it may well be that an entirely different format might be more apt when they resume.