SEPTEMBER 2003

Constitution & Bylaws Committee

Ed Heath, Chair

Business Agenda

Chairman George Eynon has identified five pieces of possible legislation for our consideration. We should expect others to arise in the ensuing weeks.

• Member Dues

The Constitution & Bylaws limit membership dues to US $75.00. Currently our dues are US $72.00. Anticipating a need for flexibility in the future, the ceiling needs to be raised. Some members may be alarmed by the prospect of higher dues, so a rationale needs to be developed for this change. Our Executive Director has been asked to provide pertinent information, such as; when was the ceiling last raised, to what level does it need to be raised, how do AAPG dues compare to our sister societies, and when might the Association anticipate an increase in dues.

• Membership Issues

Two issues, so far, are being considered:

(1) Should we increase the period permitted for a member to maintain Student status? Currently it is set at six (6) years of Student membership.

(2) Should we change the requirement for sponsors from three to two, with an additional reference?

• EC Meetings and Votes

The C&B's currently allow the Executive Committee to only conduct face-to-face meetings and votes. The EC routinely conducts meetings or votes by conference calls, fax, e-mail or other means that could be in violation of the C&B's. The committee is being asked to research changes necessary to obviate this problem and to permit the EC to conduct the Association's business effectively and legally.

• EC and AC Comments on Issues

The EC and AC must be sent notice of any items that might effect them and "may comment" back to the House. We would like to change that to "shall comment". Would not the word "will" be more assertive than "shall"?

• House At-Large Membership Rights.

Can a House At-Large member make amendments on the floor of the House? AAPG bylaws exclude only the right to vote, all other membership rights (attend meetings, make motions, speak in debate ) are extended to At-Large members. Our parliamentarian, Mary Bahde, has researched this question in accordance with Roberts Rules and advised accordingly. Unless the HoD wishes to limit other rights of At-Large members, no action appears to be required on this question.

The Committee will seek the advice of delegates to the House, the EC, the AC and headquarters staff on these and any other issues that might arise in order to bring recommendations to the House in Dallas.