Committee Report
Constitution & Bylaws Committee
Reviews Changes to the Global Corporate Structure
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee of the House of Delegates has spent the last two months reviewing the recommendations brought forward by the Global Corporate Structure, GCS, Committee, chaired by Marty Hewitt.
During those two months, the committee spent more then 18 hours deliberating on the suggested changes to the GCS and we have reviewed all aspects of the Corporation that have been discussed in the GCS. The C&BL Committee, comprised of two members of the Canada Region, John Hogg and Marty Hewitt, two members of the Gulf Coast Section, Paul Hoffman and Clint Moore, one member each from the Asia-Pacific Region, Peter Lloyd, the Pacific Section, Don Clarke, and the Mid-Continent Section, Jim McGhay, aired many different viewpoints on the various issues discussed. But the group was completely unified in its determination to seek the most effective ways to advance the globalization of AAPG. The Committee commends the Chairman of the House of Delegates, Steve Sonnenberg, and Executive Director, Rick Fritz, for their support and the contribution of key background information, without which our deliberations would have certainly been less efficient. The following is a summary of our findings.
The first step advanced by the GCS Committee involved the formation of incorporated offices within the International Regions of AAPG. AAPG is already moving forward with plans to open offices in most International Regions and the C&BLC supports this step and does not see the need for bylaws changes, with regards to international growth through the international offices.
The second step proposed by the GCS Committee was to develop a holding company under which the Region Offices will be placed as part of the overall AAPG Corporation. Our discussions with AAPG staff and with legal counsel regarding the issue of liability and tort protection led us to conclude unanimously that the existing legal structure, as described in step one, is sufficient to protect the programs, staff (volunteer and paid), and financial assets of AAPG.We therefore do not recommend the formation of a holding company at this time. We do recommend monitoring with legal counsel.
The third step proposed by the GCS Committee was the formation of a US Region and inclusion of the Sections within the Region. The C&BLC undertook an extensive review of all aspects of AAPG Governance Structure which included the EC, AC, Divisions, and HoD current structures and what a potential future state could look like and in the end determined that the diversity and flexibility of our existing governance structure will facilitate globalization.
The current governance structure of the Executive Committee, Advisory Council and HoD is well positioned for the advancement of globalization. The C&BLC recommends that: 1) The Sections, Regions and HQ conduct a Summit to improve communication, cooperation, and to advance globalization throughout the Association; 2) The Advisory Council provide for the annual review of the Long Range Plan as called for in the Bylaws.
AAPG is rapidly becoming a global Association and we, the C&BLC, see great opportunity to achieve this strategic goal, within the framework of the current corporate, legal and governance structure of the AAPG.