Editor’s note: The Delegates’ Voice has an additional page for this, the June issue. Our Constitution and Bylaws Chair, David Hawk, provided an important report that was omitted from the DV layout. I extend my apologies to David, for my oversight.
Sincere thanks are due Linda Ramsey, for preparing a supplement page to the DV so that David Hawk’s report could be included.
Committee Report
Constitution and Bylaws Committee
David Hawk
Fellow Delegates: It has been a distinct privilege to serve you and through you, the members of AAPG. The hallmark of the last three years' service on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee has been the honor of working with and for three great frontier personalities from yesteryear. Larry Jones (John Wayne), Don Clarke (Jimmy Stewart), and Valary Schultz (Maureen O'Hara) are all geologists with impeccable leadership and scientific principles. They shoot straight and ride hard.
In our legislative rendition of "Who Shot Liberty Valance" over the past two years, it is exciting to note there was no Liberty Valance. There were only those who deeply cared about the future well being and scientific advancement of our Association. The House of Delegates’ actions during the previous year established a Vice-President, Regions to go with that of Sections, insuring another avenue of representation and communication to the membership. This year the House of Delegates changed the dues structure reflecting the economic reality that many members face through staffing reductions and foreign salary disparities.
These actions were all taken to address our Association's desire to grow our qualified membership domestically and internationally. The scientific research from Russia and Egypt et. al., when presented in our Bulletin and at our gatherings may well help us find hydrocarbons in Oklahoma and British Columbia and vice versa. Not only is AAPG the preeminent repository and deliverer of geoscience ideas but it is also a motivator to all who would seek answers to the Earth’s questions.
It was a reaffirming three years watching spirited, informed and respectful debate. The association's channels of communication for the aforementioned legislation were open and used as never before. I know that practice will now be common place. I have been privileged to work with outstanding HoD Committee chairs and officers such as Paul Britt, Marty Hewitt, George Bole, and Jeannie Mallick, to name only a few
Now after serving as chairperson of C&BL, I am privileged to ride off into the sunset as one of the "Pilgrims" in Larry Jones' frontier cavalry. To Larry, Don and Valary I would say, there is a line from the Eagles song: "Hotel California" that reminds me of your exemplary HoD work, "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."