MARCH 2004

Forewarned is Forearmed

Steven M. Goolsby

The House of Delegates meeting at the Annual Convention is always enjoyable. It's a chance to meet friends and colleagues and an opportunity to take care of the business of running the AAPG. Most folks enjoy the meeting friends part a lot more than the business side of the meeting. So it is usually worthwhile to shorten the business side of the meeting as much as possible. And the best way to do that is for everyone to come to the meeting prepared.

This is the last Delegates' Voice that you'll receive before the AAPG Annual Convention in Dallas, so read it thoroughly and prepare yourself for the upcoming meeting. Several articles are available in the issue that should expedite finishing the meeting in a timely manner.

A number of important subjects are handled at the House of Delegates meeting, including the reports of the committee chairmen and officers, changes to the Constitution and By-laws, and the election of new officers. This issue of The Delegates' Voice should prepare you for each aspect of the meeting. For example, all the proposed changes to the By-laws are included in an article by Ed Heath, Chairman of the Constitution and By-laws Committee. There are several proposed changes, but a quick read will fill you in and prepare you for a shorter discussion during the meeting.

In addition, all the candidates who are running for HoD offices this year have written short answers to questions presented to them by Marty Hewitt, Chairman of the Nominations and Election Committee. Taken together with the biographical summaries published in the last Delegates' Voice, the answers to these questions should help you to decide who is most qualified to run the HoD in the coming years.

Most everyone who has a report to present during the meeting also has written an article for this issue. If you have questions for them, it's easier to email them before the meeting rather than taking the time for questions during the meeting. So grab a cup of coffee or one of your other favorite beverages, sit down, and enjoy reading this issue of The Delegate's Voice. You'll be glad you did when you get to Dallas in April. I hope to see you all there!