Special Events

Welcoming Party
Orientation for First-time Attendees
Reception for International Scholars
Departmental Alumni Night (DAN)
Community College Faculty Breakfast
Honorary Reception
Just Desserts! A Teaching Enhancement Fund Benefit
MFP Benefit Reception
Section Receptions

Welcoming Party

All meeting registrants are invited to the Welcoming Party on Thursday evening, August 10, that marks the opening of the 101st Annual Meeting. This social hour kicks off at 7:00 PM and provides opportunities to renew past acquaintances, chat with old friends, and find a newcomer to befriend. New members and first-time meeting attendees are particularly encouraged to come and have fun!

Orientation for First-time Attendees

If this is the first time you have attended an ASA Annual Meeting, please plan to attend an orientation session at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 11, prior to the mid-day Plenary on the first full day of program sessions. Hosted by ASA Secretary Franklin Wilson and Executive Officer Sally T. Hillsman, this special orientation hour provides the opportunity to meet Association officers and staff and begin networking with experienced colleagues. Pointers on navigating the Annual Meeting will be shared in informal roundtable discussion. There will also be materials from regional and state sociological associations on display in the orientation room.

Reception for International Scholars

Scholars from countries outside the U.S. are invited to meet U.S. sociologists interested in international collaborations at a reception for international scholars on Friday, August 11, at 6:30–7:30 PM.

Departmental Alumni Night (DAN)

The Departmental Alumni Night (DAN), now in its 33rd year, is a social event held after the first full day of sessions, where attendees can connect with friends, colleagues, and foes to reminisce about graduate school days, create new coalitions, and catch up on the latest news. This traditional gathering will begin at 9:30 PM on Friday, August 11.

DAN provides departments with the opportunity to have an alumni gathering without the considerable expense of arranging one. Each graduate department of sociology in the United States and Canada receives an invitation to sponsor a table for alumni and friends.

Only a small fee is charged to assist in covering expenses for this affair. Remind your department chair to reserve a table now!

Tables will also be provided for sociologists in business and industry as well as for international scholars and guests. Other groups wishing to participate by sponsoring a table are requested to contact ASA Meeting Services (202-383-9005 x305, meetings@asanet.org) before June 15.

Community College Faculty Breakfast

Sociologists teaching in community colleges are invited to a special bagel breakfast at 7:00 AM on Saturday, August 12. Mark your calendar for this early-bird event where you can meet with other colleagues teaching at community colleges.

Honorary Reception

All meeting attendees are invited to attend the Honorary Reception at 6:30 PM, Saturday, August 12, to express appreciation, congratulations, and best wishes to President Epstein and the major 2006 ASA award recipients on this festive occasion.

Since 1984, social science departments and regional societies have joined the American Sociological Association in co-sponsoring the annual Honorary Reception. If your department or institution would like to sponsor this event, please contact the ASA Executive Office (202- 383-9005, x315; executive.office@asanet.org) by June 15 to request a pledge form.

Just Desserts!
A Teaching Enhancement Fund Benefit

Looking to escape the pressures of presenting papers, searching book displays, and participating in committee meetings? Come and relax with friends at this benefit event for the Teaching Enhancement Fund (TEF), “Just Desserts.” As the name implies, you should bring your sweet tooth along to enjoy special desserts, good coffee, stimulating conversation, and smile that all of this pleasure goes to a good cause.

Sunday, August 13, 2006
9:30–11:00 PM
$25—donor, $50—sponsor; $100—benefactor

Admission is by ticket only. A major portion of each ticket price will go toward supporting the Teaching Enhancement Fund, a small grants program designed to support teachingrelated projects that have long lasting and transferable impact. Please purchase your tickets in advance when you preregister online for the meeting, or use the registration form in this newsletter to sign up for your “Just Desserts.”

MFP Benefit Reception

Set aside time during the busy weekend to join good friends and supporters of the ASA’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). Plan to relax after dinner, nibble a sweet or two, and meet current Fellows and MFP alumni. Please attend this special event and reaffirm your commitment to the MFP Program.

Saturday, August 12, 2006
9:30–11:00 PM
$25—donor; $50—sponsor; $100—benefactor

Admission is by ticket only. A portion of each ticket price will go to the Minority Fellowship Program, which supports predoctoral training for students of color. Please purchase your tickets when you preregister online for the meeting, or use the registration form in this newsletter to reserve your MFP Benefit ticket.

Section Receptions

In addition to sponsoring substantive program sessions, ASA Sections often host receptions for their section members during the Annual Meeting. These informal social events are primarily held in the evenings on the first and third days of the meeting, and all members of a sponsoring section are welcome to attend. Sometimes several sections will co-host a joint reception, which doubles or triples the fun!

Look for the following Section receptions during the Annual Meeting in Montréal.

Friday, August 11, 6:30 PM

Sunday, August 13, 6:30 PM