Letter from the Chair
After my election as the 2006-07 Chair-Elect of the House of Delegates, I experienced a medical problem that made my family and doctors think long and hard about my serving that obligation. We decided to do so, and I am really glad that I took that step. I feel that in spite of the stressful nature of the AAPG Executive Committee position, it helped me recover.
Norma Jean and I had the great pleasure of attending AAPG meetings in Lafayette, Buffalo, Perth, Tulsa, Long Beach, and Wichita Falls. It was my first time to visit the Eastern Section and second time for the Southwest Section, and everything about those meetings was great. Each of these seven meetings had their own distinct direction and message. They all effectively wove the ingredients that distinguish a good meeting for Geoscientists.
The activities of the House ran very smoothly. I can say that every report and deadline was met in a timely manner by committee chairs and their members. The quality of the Delegates Voice continues to make positive strides under the direction of Jeannie Mallick.
The Resolution Committee, chaired by Peter Lloyd, allowed us to welcome two new affiliate societies from Qatar and South Africa, and one associate society representing the Palynologists.
Nomination and Election Committee, chaired by Ed Dolly, provided us with a good slate of officers for Chair-Elect and Secretary/Editor, while Honors and Awards Committee, chaired by Mark Rainer, gave us very deserving Awardees and provided for a way to recognize long service in the House. HoD will recognize Delegates who have served a total of 9 and 15 years. Rulesand Procedures under the leadership of new Chair-Elect, George Bole, brought our R&P into concert with the AAPG Constitution and Bylaws. Patrick Gooding has done his usual good job at the Annual Meeting of getting our Delegates properly accredited in a timely manner.
I particularly want to thank the members of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, chaired by David Hawk. This hard working committee dealt with many proposals and determinations. They again made the determination that no changes needed to be made in the Petition Candidate process, except that Petition Candidates now are subject to the same election rules as Nominated Candidates, and no retiring member of the AC or EC, who participated in the nomination process, can run as a Petition Candidate in the ensuing election year.
At the request of the AC and EC, the Constitution and Bylaws (C&BL) Committee made a motion to the Executive Committee of the House of Delegates to continue the AAPG’s goal of being the premier International Association for Geoscientists by proposing a graduated dues structure for its members and applicants. The membership benefited from the AAPG website, which allowed multiple positions to be considered by those who utilized that venue, and the DV and Explorer allowed multiple ideas to be brought forward as well.
When the C&BL Committee made the motion at the HoD Midyear Meeting to bring the graduated dues proposal to the House at the Annual Meeting, there was a split decision in favor of moving it to the entire House.
David Hawk did a marvelous job of presenting this motion and his humor made the process a much more enjoyable experience. Everyone was able to make their points and the motion passed by over 85% of the voting Delegates. Now it is the responsibility of the Staff to effectively put the process in place, and if it does not work, the House can change it.
I have had the great opportunity to work with so many dedicated Delegates and I know that Marty Hewitt will have had that same experience when he finishes his Tour of Duty. I also have had the privilege of serving on the AAPG Executive Committee. Some have had experiences where certain Committees did not mesh well and could not come to common purpose. We did not have that problem. I have never served on a body that displayed so much mutual respect, harmony and good will for AAPG.
Well enough!! I want to thank all of you folks, you are great, and you have done wonderful work for “OUR” AAPG.