August 24, 2003
Mr. Trumbull reported that membership has grown since the RBS was founded in March to include members from 14 states plus Canada and Australia. He also reported that a local chapter (the first) has formed in Boston, Massachusetts. On May 5 Mr. Gordon Ernst of West Virginia University and the foremost Benchley scholar agreed to serve as a director of the RBS. Mr. Trumbull also reported that a website www.robertbenchley.org has been launched. Since our founding, Mr. Trumbull, as Society chairman, has been in contact with Mr. Nat Benchley (Robert Benchley's grandson and researcher/actor of one-man play Benchley Despite Himself and with Miami Herald humorist, Dave Barry. To Mr. Trumbull's inquiry of whether the RBS might want some written by-laws and in general a more formal organization, all present concurred in Mr. Fitzpatricks's observation that the "no dues and no by-laws" approach that has worked so well for the Dorothy Parker Society is the preferred way of proceeding.
Miss Siska reported that she has prepared an index of Benchley's essays and books which is now available as a searchable database on the website.
Mr. Fitzpatrick reported that the Amazon Associates program has generated a small income for the Dorothy Parker Society of New York. Mr. Trumbull agreed to pursue this revenue source for the RBS.
The meeting adjourned sine die and ordered another round at the bar.