COMMITTEE REPORT:
Resolutions
The Resolutions Committee consists of seven (7) members including a Chair, who serve staggered 2- year terms. This Committee reports to the House of Delegates at the annual meeting, their recommendations concerning all advance petitions, resolutions, or motions, but are not directly involved in the process for resolutions on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and Rules and Procedures. The Resolutions Committee is also responsible for assuring good attendance by affiliate societies and the regions, and directing any required “Disaffiliation” procedures for societies or regions that are persistent “no-shows” at the annual meeting. This was our focus in the first half of the year.
We currently have eleven (11) domestic affiliates with a poor attendance record, and are following up with them. Four, have now elected new delegates, and we are working with the other 7 to resolve the “no-show” issue. It looks as if half of these societies are no longer active and simply have no delegates to send, and will sadly be struck from the rolls if this cannot be turned around in the next 18 months. Paul Britt, my Vice Chair for the domestic delegates, is taking the lead on this.
We are also working with the leaders of the International Regions Committee to improve the turnout from the overseas international regions. Since regionalization in 2000, attendance records have been mixed. Latin America, Africa and Europe have failed to fill even half their allotted seats over that period. Europe took a big step forward in 2006, but this was countered by an ongoing decline in the Middle East. Work demands and long travel distances can make it difficult for affiliates and regions to fill their seats, but fortunately, the House rules are extremely flexible and accommodating as regards finding replacements. This can be managed right up until the time the meeting starts. John Kaldi, my Vice-Chair, International, is raising awareness amongst the regional presidents on this key issue, and getting action plans.
Finally, we are working on establishing new affiliations. There have been positive discussions with the Swiss Society of Petroleum Geology, the Doha Integrated Geological Society (Bahrain), the Geological Society of South Africa and the American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists. The by-laws from two of these societies are currently under review, and after further discussion by the Executive Committee we hope to welcome these affiliates into the Association in either 2007 or 2008.