Dayton Council on World Affairs Records

The collection contains the organizational records from the Dayton Council on World Affairs and its affiliated Junior Council. The records span the entire history of the organization starting with its founding in 1947, and currently ending in 2014. The years between 1978 and 1987 have limited and scattered records due to a fire at the DCOWA offices. Files from more recent years, particularly 1996 and forward, are incomplete, but may be filled in by future accruals.

Group I, Series I, Administration, 1947-2014, undated is divided into six subseries. Subseries IA, History (1947-2008), contains the constitution of DCOWA, organizational data such as structure; general histories, timelines, and reflections written about DCOWA, as well as information about anniversary celebrations. Subseries IB, Annual Meetings (1955-2014),consists of minutes of the annual meeting and annual reports of DCOWA. Subseries IC, Board of Directors (1947-2012), contains most of the Board of Directors’ meeting minutes, rosters, board packets, and other relevant material, including planning information. Subseries ID, General Administration (1947-2008), is arranged chronologically, and contains administrative materials that pertains to volunteers, personnel, and the community, as well as DCOWA’s non-profit status and website development. Subseries IE, Committees (1949-2008), contains minutes and records of various committees within DCOWA including the Adult Program Committee, the Development Committee, the Evaluation Committee, the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, the Marketing Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Program Committee. It also contains information on miscellaneous committees on topics like planning, events, and outreach. Subseries IF, Membership (1948-2007), contains Board of Directors biographies and basic dossiers of board members, records on corporate membership, records for the “Diplomat’s Club,” and scattered membership reports, rosters, and surveys.

Group I, Series II, Financial, 1948-2009, undated, is divided into two subseries. Subseries IIA, Reports / Receipts (1948-2008), contains Budget documents, Treasurer’s Reports, cash receipt books, and various reports, statements and audits. Subseries IIB, Fundraising (1948-2009), contains materials related to corporate sponsorship, grants, and fundraising campaigns, and reports from the financial campaign.

Group I, Series III, Programs, 1951-2011, circa 2006-2008, undated is divided into three subseries. Subseries IIIA, Educational Programs (1956-2010), contains materials relating primarily to lectures, discussions, and educational outreach. Files on dozens of programs are present including the International Forum, “Great Decisions,” Insight Lecture Series, Lecture Programs, and the Speaker’s Bureau. The programs feature many different perspectives on foreign affairs, including those of local political science professors, diplomats, reporters, and individuals who were born or lived in other countries. Subseries IIIB, Coordinated Events / Projects (1951-2011), undated, contains planning materials for DCOWA programs. Materials are organized in the following groups within the subseries: Planning, Conferences, Festivals, Performances, Style show, Task force, Awards, Art programs, Tours, and Other events. Each is arranged chronologically. Subjects include Foreign Policy Conference, Miami Valley International Summit, and numerous other conferences; festivals including scattered World A’Fair, and Columbia in Dayton records; World of Flair Style Show and various single performances and events. Some of these programs were collaborations with other organizations, such as the Dayton Art Institute and Miami Valley International Trade Association. Subseries IIIC, Exchange Programs / Travel (1957-2007, circa 2006-2008), contains materials related to international tours and visitor exchange programs including the Experiment in International Living program, International Visitors program, the Global Dayton project, and other materials relating to travel.

Group I, Series IV, Publications, 1955-2009, undated, is divided into three subseries. Subseries IVA, Newsletters (1955-2009), contains the Council’s newsletters. Subseries IVB, Publicity (1956-1994), contains press releases and limited news clippings and speeches. Subseries IVC, Educational Resources (1966, 1971-1997, undated), contains “Great Decisions” articles and publications.

Group I, Series V, Audio Visual, 1985-2009, after 1970, after 1987, undated contains audiocassettes and video recordings primarily of DCOWA events. Other recordings include speeches and interviews given by key DCOWA members such as John Yeck, Louise Mead Walker, and Pfeife Smith. There is also a five-VHS tape series “The Dayton Peace Accords: The Next Phase of Implementation,” accompanied by a written ‘table of contents’ explaining the topics covered on each tape. Also of note is a brief documentary on the 1988 fire that destroyed most of the DCOWA office. Note that all audiovisual material must be digitized before research access.

Group I, Series VI, Photographs, 1948-2007, circa 1990-2001, undated is divided into three subseries. Subseries VIA, Events (1948-2007, circa 1990-2001, undated), contains pictures of different DCOWA events, and is organized chronologically. One file contains an assemblage of pictures gathered for DCOWA’s 60th anniversary, featuring photos highlighting events throughout the organization’s history. Subseries VIB, People (1950-1996, circa 1990-2001), undated, contains pictures of different personalities associated with DCOWA, and is organized chronologically. Subseries VIC, Negatives (1959-1995, 2001, 2007, undated), contains photograph negatives, also organized chronologically.

Group I, Series VII, Scrapbooks, 1948-1972, 1989-1991 contains scrapbooks created by the DCOWA. Subseries VIIA, Loose Books (1958-1972, 1989-1991), features loose leaves, primarily of newspaper clippings. Subseries VIIB, Bound Books (1948-1959), contains scrapbooks in more traditional book format. One scrapbook documents the Midwest conference on “The Effects of Foreign Aid.”

Group I, Series VIII, Correspondence, 1947-2008, circa 1992 is divided into four subseries. Subseries VIIIA, Individuals and Groups (1963-2000), primarily contains correspondence relating to the Board of Directors, as well as correspondence relating to influential figures in DCOWA, including John S. Moore, John Yeck, and Judy Baker. There is also some correspondence with the U.S. State Department. Subseries VIIIB, Membership (1954-2006), contains correspondence relating to membership with the Council. Subseries VIIIC, Programs (1951-1997, circa 1992), contains correspondence relating to the Great Decisions program, the Miami Valley International Summit, potential speakers, potential programs , and other events. Subseries VIIID, General Correspondence, (1947-2008), contains general correspondence, organized chronologically.

Group II, Series I, Administration, 1955-2009, circa 1980-2010, undated, is divided into six subseries. Subseries IA, History (1964; 1972-1973; 1993-2001, undated), contains organization history and mission statements for the JCOWA. Subseries IB, Handbooks (1960-2005, circa 1980-1992, undated), contains JCOWA manuals, Advisors Handbooks, and an undated President’s manual. Subseries IC, General Administration (1957-2009, circa 1995-2010, undated), contains assorted reports, minutes, calendars, and surveys organized chronologically. Subseries ID, Committees (1955-1995), contains documents relating to different committees including the Student Executive Committee, the Top Policy Committee, and a few other committees and task forces. Subseries IE, Membership (1955-2008, undated), contains membership lists and directories. Subseries IF, Financial (1957-2005, undated), contains financial scattered financial records.

Group II, Series II, Programs, 1954-2007, circa 1975-1992, circa 2006-2007, undated, contains information on the programs that JCOWA has sponsored since its inception. These materials are arranged alphabetically by the title of the program, and then chronologically within a title set. Among the programs included are the Foreign Bazaar (also known as the World Bazaar), Foreign Study League, High School Institute, International Quiz and International Quiz Bowl, Model U.N. General Assembly. A significant amount of material documents planning and activities of the annual Washington/New York Study Tour.

Group II, Series III, Publications, 1958-2006, is divided into two subseries. Subseries IIIA, Newsletters (1958-2006), contains the JCOWA newsletter and other scattered newsletters. Subseries IIIB, Publicity (1962-1985; 1995-1996; undated), contains brochures, pamphlets, as well as press releases covering JCOWA’s activities. There are also copies of JCOWA’s newspaper activity column, “Global Watch.”

Group II, Series IV, Photographs, 1951-2007, undated, is divided into two subseries. Subseries IVA, Prints (1951-2007), contains assorted photographs organized chronologically, documenting events including activities and meetings, and interactions with prominent figures like Eleanor Roosevelt. Subseries IVB, Negatives / Slides (1956-1995), contains negatives and slides organized chronologically.

Group II, Series V, Scrapbooks, 1951-1992, undated, is divided into two subseries. Subseries VA, Loose Books (1952-1992, undated), contains three unbound scrapbooks 1952-1954, 1961-1968 and 1963-1970, as well as album pages and collected news clippings. Subseries VB, Bound Books (1951-1958), contains five scrapbooks.

Group II, Series VI, Correspondence, 1955-2007, contains general correspondence relating to JCOWA, including about programs and scholarships.

Group II, Series VII, Audio Visual, 1990-2001, undated, contains recordings related to JCOWA programs. These include videos of Quiz Bowls in the 1990s and 2000s, as well as a broadcast of an unnamed program. All recordings are in video cassette format, and must be digitized before viewing.