The Delegates' Voice

Newsletter for the House of Delegates of AAPG

SEPTEMBER, 2001

Constitution & Bylaws Committee

Business Agenda

George Eynon, Chair

This is an abbreviated business year for the House (9 months from June '01 in Denver to March '02 in Houston) and, mercifully, the Constitution & Bylaws Committee work agenda is smaller this time around. There are four pieces of possible legislation for our consideration, although others may arise in the ensuing weeks.

COCBAP 2

The House in Denver defeated the COCBAP3 resolution, and then approved the C&BL Committee's COCBAP2 Resolution to formalize a mechanism to obtain comment from each of the three governing bodies on amendments that might affect them. This has, in effect, already been implemented in spirit to obtain the EC, AC and HOD views on COCBAP 3 last year - and it worked wonderfully. This Amendment will encode the process in the Bylaws, and will be voted on by the Delegates in Houston in 2002.

Officer nominations EC super-majority vote

In the 2000-2001 year, the C&BL Committee was directed by the House to investigate requiring the EC to vote by more than a simple majority if it wishes to either reject or change the rank order of any candidates presented by the AC. A Resolution of the House proposing to amend the Bylaws was passed in Denver and will be a formal resolution for Amendment by the House in Houston in 2002.

This Amendment may not be exactly as voted upon in Denver. The Executive Committee, numbering seven in total, customarily votes without the chair (the President) casting a ballot unless there is a tie. Acknowledging that procedure, we are examining a four of six, rather than five of seven, affirmative vote, although this will no longer constitute a "super-majority."

No minimum membership for Division, Section or Region AC representation

The EC recently passed a motion proposing the elimination of any numeric requirement for Division representation on the AC. The Divisions cannot have additional representation based on membership numbers and should therefore not be subject to a minimum membership requirement for voting representation on the AC, either.

The C&BL Committee will also consider the merits of a similar provision for all Sections and Regions. Currently, the Sections and Regions must have a minimum of 750 members to obtain their first voting representative, and are permitted additional seats based on their total membership. The C&BL Committee is considering eliminating the 750-member requirement for the initial, voting seat. Since this originally comes from the EC directly, it will be prepared as an Amendment for vote in Houston in 2002.

Robert's Rules of Order as AAPG's official parliamentary authority

The House of Delegates' professional parliamentarian, Mary Bahde, has suggested we consider adding an article to the Bylaws to make Robert's Rules of Order the official parliamentary authority governing the AAPG's conduct of business. Several cautionary objections have already been raised.

First, it has been suggested that if we make some small incorrect move in our procedures, we may have to redo some work. This is probably not a concern since, thanks to Mary's help, we already conduct the House business under Robert's Rules of Order. Second, many AAPG committees operate somewhat informally -- especially since much of the work is performed by a myriad of standing- and sub-committees at a distance through e-mail and teleconferences.

The C&BL Committee will examine the current wording of the AAPG's Constitution & Bylaws to ensure it is clear that Robert's Rules of Order apply to the official meetings of the Executive Committee, the Advisory Council and the House of Delegates. Depending on the outcome of the Committee's review, this could be offered as a Resolution in Houston and subsequently, if approved, for a formal vote in 2003.

These issues will be posted on the House Forum and we encourage you all to provide us with your comments, questions, suggestions and advice. You can also contact any of the C&BL Committee members directly:

• George Eynon +1 (403) 531 4375
• Jim Ragsdale +1 (713) 780-4393
• Ed Heath +1 (970) 375-1997
• Valary Schulz +1 (214) 520-2929

In this issue …

> Chairman's Corner
> House of Delegates 2001-2002 Short Business Year!
> Chairman-Elect's Corner
> Secretary/Editor's Corner
> Officers and Committees

Committee Reports:

> AC Representation -- One Group, One Vote!

> 21 YEARS AGO: Rejected! Yes, it really happened!

Download this issue

Visit the House Forum for Updates

The House officers and committee chairs will be posting on the House Forum more updates and additional information for the House meeting on June 3. Be sure to visit Delegate's Forum often, and discuss the issues with fellow delegates and AAPG members before the meeting.