Introduction

Since its origin in Athens in 386 BC, the Academy has signified a place of study. But "Academy" also refers to a group of people dedicated to learning. The Academy of Leisure Sciences is such agroup. Although the life of philosophic leisure characteristic of the first Academy continues to elude us, that life is nonetheless our central interest. Just as the first Academy was founded to deepen understanding and appreciation of the Muses, that, too, is our interest.

Academies, by their nature, do not usually engage in self-promotion or in activities of a highly visible nature.Conversely, they are not secretive or mysterious. So we take this opportunity to tell you a little about the Academy of Leisure Sciences and the members dedicated to learning about leisure. We wish to stress not the accomplishments of the Academy or its members, but the aspiration we share for deeper understanding and appreciation. We hope all people share that aspiration. To do so is also to aspire to the Academy.

History

The principal impetus for the Academy of Leisure Sciences came from a group of former Presidents of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators. At a meeting in Miami in 1978, Professors Heath and Reid (Texas A&M), Sapora (Illinois), and Sessoms (North Carolina) began formulating the Academy's goals and structure. A list of seventy candidates for membership was identified and a panel of thirty-six scholars was invited to complete a series of ballots on the candidate list. As a result of that balloting, thirty candidates, elected by simple majority, were chosen as Founding Fellows of the Academy of Leisure Sciences. The candidates were chosen because of their "exceptional scholarly and intellectual contributions" to the study of leisure. The first meeting of the Academy was October 18, 1980, in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. David Gray was elected President; Dr. Edward Heath was elected Secretary-Treasurer.

In the intervening years, the Academy's membership has more than doubled. There are currently about a hundred members, of whom seventy have been elected since the initial meeting.

Purpose

The central purpose of the Academy is the intellectual advancement of leisure sciences. This purpose is carried out in three ways:

First, by recognizing outstanding scholars, it establishes a network among those who have contributed to the intellectual advancement of leisure sciences.

Second, by its meetings and other activities, it establishes forums for exchanging knowledge and ideas advancing the intellectual understanding of leisure.

Third, by the activities of its committees and individual members, it encourages and promotes research and the scholarly study of leisure among those who have demonstrated interest, potential, and competence. For example, in cooperation with the Society of Park and Recreation Educators, the Academy supports an annual Future Scholars program, whereby up to six outstanding master's degree students in recreation, park, and leisure studies are invited to attend the Academy's annual meeting and the Leisure Research Symposium held at the National Recreation and Park Association's convention.

Organization

The Academy operates under a Constitution which provides for the election or appointment of Officers and Committees. The President, Secretary-Treasurer, Historian, and Nominations and Elections Committee are elected by the membership via mailed ballots. Members of other Standing Committees (on-going) and President's Committees (single-purpose and temporary) are appointed by the President.

Business is conducted at the annual business meeting. In the interim between meetings, the President, in concert with other officers and committees, conducts business and acts for the Academy. Academy members pay annual dues as well as a fee to offset annual program and business meeting expenses.

Membership

Names of candidates for membership are placed in nomination by a formal letter from a current member. This is accompanied by a biographical summary, submitted with the ballot to all active members, which includes the nominee's professional experience, significant publications, invited presentations, professional affiliations including offices, awards and honors, and professional activities. Election requires a two-thirds majority of votes cast.

Suggested criteria for use in nominating and electing new members are: (a) direct engagement in the leisure sciences professions; (b) demonstrated competence for a period of not less than ten years, as evidenced by quality as well as quantity of contributions to the scholarly literature of thefield, recognized leadership and extensive, significant participation in professional associations and organizations, and acknowledged outstanding performance as a teacher, leader, administrator, practitioner, or researcher in the field of leisure; and (c) willingness to further the goals of theAcademy and participate actively in its affairs.

Activities

Like most academies of a similar nature, the Academy of Leisure Sciences is primarily honorary in nature. The organization is, comparatively speaking, simple and informal, there being no organizational imperatives beyond carrying out its purpose. Too, its members commit themselves each day, in their respective environments, to the purposes of the Academy. The Academy, for example, has published one book. Over the same period, Academy members have published more than 200, and Academy networks and forums have been the genesis of ideas.

Academy programs, given comparative informality, have taken many forms. New perspectives, usually triggering extensive discussion, help serve the Academy's purpose. New members of the Academy are often invited to discuss implications and directions of their research. Other members are called upon to react and lead discussion. On occasion, a few members are asked to share their views of future research needs and opportunities.

Every gathering includes a period for formal business and, since 1982, for the formal induction of new members. Because fellowship is an important dimension of academy membership and purpose, a luncheon or dinner has become a part of the Academy's annual meeting.