Membership Information
Prospective Members: Our Region, following JASNA's bylaws, encourages anyone interested in becoming a regional member to join the Jane Austen Society of North America. JASNA membership entitles anyone living in our Region's geographic area to all our benefits and activities. Contact our Membership Chairperson at membership@jasnaeastpa.org if you have additional questions. Please visit the JASNA Web site if you are interested in joining JASNA.
Benefits of Membership: JASNA members receive Persuasions, the yearly journal of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and three issues of JASNA News per year. Members have the opportunity to attend the Annual General Meeting as well as our Regional events, where we learn about Jane and share our affection for her work with those of like mind. Region members also may subscribe, at a reduced rate, to "Bits & Scraps," our regional newsletter, published in February, April, August , and November.
Dues: We do not charge regional dues, but are pleased to accept donations that will help us provide member benefits. Checks or money orders can be made out to 'JASNA Eastern Pennsylvania Region.' Because JASNA is a registered nonprofit organization, donations are tax-deductible. Donations can be mailed to the Regional Coordinator (see Contact page for details).
Current Members: Please notify either the Regional Coordinator or the Membership Chairperson of any mailing address or e-mail address change so that you continue to receive Regional and national mailings. See the Contact page for details.
History of the Region
"JASNA Philadelphia" was among the handful of charter regions organized October 5, 1979, at the Society's inaugural meeting in New York City. Ten Pennsylvanians were present: Ruth Adams, Hugh Albright, Nina Auerbach, Paul Brown, Zelphia Brown, Katrin Burlin, Edward Davis, Ahmet Evin, Jan Fergus, and Lorraine Hanaway, six of whom are still active JASNA members.
Lorraine Hanaway was declared founder and organizer of the region and the first gatherings were held at her home. She continued as Regional Coordinator until her election as President of JASNA in 1984. Judith Fowler served next and led the region in a series of discussions, luncheons, and film-viewing sessions. A highlight was the all-day meeting at the University of Pennsylvania Faculty Club on April 27, 1985, that featured a talk by Nina Auerbach, lecture-discussions with Dwight McCawley and Katrin Burlin, a showing of the British Library's film of Jane Austen's life, and luncheon. Other meetings have included speakers, garden tours, house tours, film viewings, debates, and discussions.
Winifred Blacklow succeeded Judy as RC and in turn Eileen Doudna, Edward Davis, Nancy Charkes and Laraine Ryan, Patricia Wright, Laura Parrish, and Elizabeth Steele have served. Kelly Fineman is the present leader and will be in office when the region hosts the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2009.
In 1983, JASNA's Fifth AGM was held in Philadelphia. The AGM Coordinator, Lorraine Hanaway, led an enthusiastic team that planned events related to the conference theme of "Emma." Elizabeth Steele will act as organizer of JASNA's 2009 Annual General Meeting in Philadelphia. The conference theme is "Jane Austen's Brothers and Sisters in the City of Brotherly Love," celebrating Jane Austen's fictional brothers and sisters.
The most entertaining meeting of any year is the annual Jane Austen birthday celebration at which Dwight McCawley prepares extremely clever and sometimes fiendishly difficult quizzes and games. These are topped by an elaborate presentation of homemade goodies, tea, the annual toast to Jane Austen, and socializing.
To reflect its embrace of Janeites outside Philadelphia, the local name soon evolved into Eastern Pennsylvania, and later to Eastern Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley. Only recently the region modified its name to Eastern Pennsylvania; the region draws members from Delaware and New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania.