The Utopian Studies Society is an interdisciplinary society that aims to co-ordinate and encourage the diverse work currently taking place on the subject of utopianism.

1. Apologies for absence.
Farah Mendelsohn: apologies noted.

2. Members Present:
43 members were present.

3. Election of Committee Members/Office-Bearers
The following were elected for the period 2000/2001. Ruth Levitas (Chair), Lucy Sargisson (Secretary), Jim Arnold (Treasurer), Vincent Geoghegan, Philip Coupland, Tom Moylan, Gregory Claeys, Lorna Davidson, Filio Diamanti and Nicole Pohl.

4. Financial Arrangements
It was reported that since the Society's activities had been in abeyance for a number of years the bank current account with Lloyds/TSB had fallen into disuse, and one of the original signatories, Mr K Taylor was no longer a Society Member. The balance in the current account stood at £1200.36 prior to any receipts for the 2000 Annual Conference and there had been no transactions in the preceding year 1999-2000.

The position was considered and it was agreed to proceed on the basis that a single signatory was acceptable for all cheques, either Lucy Sargisson (Secretary) or Jim Arnold (Treasurer). It was agreed to delegate authority to the Treasurer to relocate the bank current account from Bristol to Lanark.

5. Appointment of Auditor
It was expected that the level of financial activity would be relatively low and in view of this it was agreed that Jim Arnold as Treasurer was to have the authority to make arrangements to have the Accounts of the Society audited by an appropriate independent person or company and that he would advise the following AGM of the arrangements and seek the ratification of that meeting.

6. General Business
The Society's activities over the period June 1999 to June 2000 were considered, including the Society's First Annual Conference in Nottingham on 19/20 June 2000. The thanks of the Society were conveyed to Lucy Sargisson for her work in organising the conference. Also, the development of the Utopian Studies Website (www.utopianstudies.org) was noted with pleasure. Members who had presented papers were requested to submit an abstract to Lucy Sargisson by e-mail. These can then be made available on the internet.

It was agreed to hold the next Annual Conference on 28/29/30 June 2001 at New Lanark. Gregory Claeys agreed to be Academic Convener, and conference arrangements were to be undertaken by Lorna Davidson. Publicity arrangements were to be assisted by Lucy Sargisson, with offers of help from various other society members. Preliminary information about the conference was to be circulated via e-mail and website as soon as practical.

It was hoped to arrange the Annual Conference 2002 at Queen's University, Belfast.

7. Membership subscriptions.
The issue of whether or not a membership subscription should be charged was considered. It was agreed that as funds were available for the coming year, the Committee should review this matter and prepare a proposal and recommendation for the next AGM.

8. Any other competent business.
None.

9. Date of Next Meeting
This will be held at New Lanark during the Annual Conference 2001.