American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Minutes
House of Delegates Meeting
11 April 2010 • New Orleans, Louisiana
1. Call to Order and Introductions
The 40th Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates was called to order on April 11, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. by Stephen A. Sonnenberg, Chair of the House of Delegates.
Chairman Sonnenberg introduced the officers of the House of Delegates: David H. Hawk, Chairman-Elect and Laura C. Zahm, Secretary/Editor. Sonnenberg also recognized the House Parliamentarian, Mary Bahde.
Chairman Sonnenberg recognized the House chairs and their committees: Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair, John R. Hogg; Resolutions Committee Chair, Sandi M. Barber (who was unable to attend); Rules and Procedures Committee Chair, Maurice N. Birdwell; Newsletter Committee/Minutes Approval Committee Chair, Laura C. Zahm; Honors and Awards Committee Chair, J. Michael Party; Nominations and Election Committee Chair, Larry Wickstrom; and Credentials Committee Chair, R. Randy Ray.
Chairman Sonnenberg recognized the AAPG Past Presidents, Past Chairmen of the House, the Honorary Members of the House and the AAPG Executive Committee.
Chairman Sonnenberg recognized the AAPG Candidates for Office of President-Elect: Ernest A. Mancini and Paul Weimer (who was unable to attend); Sections Vice President: Marvin Brittenham and Charles Sternbach; Treasurer: Jim McGhay and Jim Tucker; and Editor: Ashton Embry and Stephen Laubach.
The Chairman also introduced the House of Delegates Officer Candidates for Chairman-Elect: Jeff Lund and Peter Lloyd; Secretary/Editor: Patrick Gooding and H W “Dub” Peace.
Chairman Sonnenberg also recognized the AAPG staff in attendance.
2. Annual Meeting Report
Tom Hudson, Convention General Chairman, provided a report on the 2010 New Orleans Convention. He stated it has been 10 years since New Orleans hosted the annual convention. He extended sincere appreciation to the South Texas Geological Society for taking over in 2008 when there were issues with levees in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. Hudson said STGS did a remarkable job.
Hudson reported the convention attendance should total between 5,500-6,000. He stated there are 411 oral presentations, 519 poster presentations, 16 forums and 240 companies exhibiting. The All Convention Luncheon speaker is Robert “Bobby” Ryan, Vice President, Global Exploration for Chevron Global Upstream and Gas. The Michel T. Halbouty Lecture guest speaker is Aubrey K. McClendon, co-founder of Chesapeake Energy Corporation. He provided a complete overview of all the scheduled program and events. Exhibit “A”
3. AAPG President’s Report
AAPG President John Lorenz stated it has been an honor to serve as President. His focus has included a program to improve communication between the various components of AAPG. He has encouraged members of the Executive Committee and the Headquarters directors to re-establish connections with the affiliated domestic and international societies. He stated Kay Pitts has been working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and guidelines to streamline procedures as international programs are developed which will codify and provide a mutual understanding of expectations as the international programs are developed. He said that he traveled with Alan Wegener, AAPG Convention Director to Milan where the 2011 International Convention and Exhibition (ICE) meeting will be held and he also announced future locations of other meetings. He reported the Executive Committee is accommodating EMD’s desire to expand which will benefit both the Energy Minerals Division and the AAPG membership. He stated, although the Global Climate Change Committee has been phased out (sunset), it has not been totally abandoned. Lorenz emphasized that AAPG is not a political organization but feels AAPG should remain in the realm of scientific expertise concerning the global climate change issue. There also will be future meetings focused on climate change with the Research Committee and the Geological Society of London. Exhibit “B”
4. Executive Director’s Report
Rick Fritz, AAPG Executive Director, stated that if AAPG provides the best science then AAPG will not have to be concerned about maintaining membership. He said that AAPG focuses on the best science, with professional development and networking as a key component. He reviewed slides that reflected the membership statistics and a brief summary of AAPG programs. Fritz praised the Imperial Barrel Award program and Steve Veal for initiating the program with AAPG. He said AAPG is truly becoming a global society. The financial campaign raised over $27.5 million with a goal of $35 million. He said donations come back into the Association in the form of programs. He asked everyone to please consider pledging. Fritz thanked the staff for their hard work and the members for their service. He stated the HoD is all volunteers and it is this volunteerism that helps AAPG be the strong organization that it is.
5. Other Reports
Delegates heard reports from the AAPG Treasurer, AAPG Editor, Chairman of the Foundation and the EMD, DEG and DPA Presidents. Exhibit “C”
6. Report of the Chairman of the House of Delegates
Chairman Steve Sonnenberg said it is a privilege to have served as Chairman of the House of Delegates and referenced to his written report. Exhibit “D”
7. Credentials Committee
Randy Ray, Chair of the Credentials Committee, acknowledged the members of his committee. He reported there are 214 elected delegates to the House. Ray reported that 177 signed in as delegates, alternates and appointed alternates, with 108 required for a quorum. Exhibit “E”
Motion: The motion was adopted to seat delegates as follows: David Rensink, Houston Geological Society; Frank Walles, Houston Geological Society; Valary Schulz, Dallas Geological Society; Herb Davis, Oklahoma City Geological Society; Jim Suydam, Montana Geological Society; Alain Huc, European Region; Rafal Kuddewicz, European Region; Steve Veal, European Region; Jim Tucker, Middle East Region; and Issac Arowolo, African Region. Motion Carried.
With the seated delegates the total is 187, representing 82% attendance of the official delegates.
8. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved by general consent. (Exhibit “F”)
9. Approval of the Minutes
Motion: The motion to accept the minutes for the House of Delegates meeting held on June 7, 2009 in Denver, Colorado was adopted. Motion Carried.
10. Honors and Awards Committee
Mike Party, Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee, recognized the committee members and reviewed his written report. (Exhibit “G”)
Party announced the following House award recipients for the year 2010:
- Honorary Member of the House Award
- (Presented at the AAPG Opening/Awards Ceremony)
Martin D. Hewitt - Distinguished Member of the House Award
- (Presented at the AAPG Opening/Awards Ceremony)
Donald D. Clarke Robert G. Lindblom - House Long Service Award
- (Presented at the HoD Meeting)
Paul W. Britt Jeanne Harris Susan Landon - Recognition of Service Award
- (Presented at the HoD Meeting)
Stephen A. Sonnenberg Laura Zahm - Certificates of Service
- (Presented in recognition of 9 years and 15 years service as a Delegate. The awards are issued annually to delegates reaching those milestones.)
11. Report of Rules and Procedures Committee
Maurice Birdwell, Chair of the Rules and Procedures Committee, introduced the committee members. Birdwell reported the Rules and Procedures Committee reviewed the disaffiliation of societies that have not sent delegates to the HoD meetings for two consecutive years. Upon review, it was decided there was no reason to carry an inactive society indefinitely. The rules and procedures that are currently in place allow approximately 2 ½ years before a society is disaffiliated; therefore the committee recommends no action at this time. Exhibit “H”
12. Constitution and Bylaws Committee
John R. Hogg, Chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, recognized the members of his committee.
Constitution and Bylaws Committee Global Corporate Structure Review Report
John Hogg stated the Committee deliberated long and hard on Global Corporate Structure and spent a significant amount of time reviewing all aspects of the “Hewitt Report” from the year before. The final analysis was that the way AAPG is currently structured continues to fit the model of global expansion of AAPG and will continue to serve AAPG well into the future. The Global Corporate Structure Committee decided not to make any changes, but did make some recommendations that were specific to the AAPG. The Committee recommends that the current Executive Committee and Advisory Council should continue to look annually at how AAPG is structured and how AAPG should move forward from the point of view of AAPG’s international advancement and growth. Second, the Advisory Council should focus on long-range planning throughout its mandate and stated it is not done often enough and advises the Advisory Council to take this under advisement. And third, the Committee feels the sections, regions and Headquarters should combine efforts to be more efficient when working together and sharing the best practices from the regions with the sections and the sections from the regions. Hogg stated the very active regions have generated some great practices and feels those could be shared with the sections. He said some of the sections spend a great deal of time looking inward and not enough time looking outward and hope that some of the sections can work together more cooperatively.
Proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws were provided to the delegates as a handout Exhibit “I” and are as follows:
2010 Proposed Amendments to Bylaws
[strikeouts – deletions; underlining – additions]
A proposed amendment to Article II, Section 3, of the AAPG Bylaws to eliminate a reference to a date which is no longer necessary.
ARTICLE II. OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND ASSOCIATION POSITIONS SECTION 3. Vice President, Sections
The Vice President, Sections, when elected earlier than the Vice President, Regions, shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. The Vice President, Sections, when elected earlier than the Vice President, Regions, shall assume the office of President in case of a vacancy for any cause in that office; and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the President. The Vice President, Sections shall, with his or her other duties, concern himself or herself with the activities of the Association in respect to United States Sections. A Vice President, Sections elected pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of this Article II shall be presumed for the purposes of this Section 3 to have been elected on the date of his or her predecessor’s election. The Vice President, Sections, while serving as such during the Association’s fiscal year commencing July 1, 2007, shall be presumed to have been elected earlier than the Vice President, Regions.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article II. Officers, Executive Director, and Association Positions, Section 3. Vice President, Sections of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
A proposed amendment to Article II, Section 10, of the AAPG Bylaws to eliminate a reference to a date which is no longer necessary.
ARTICLE II. OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND ASSOCIATION POSITIONS SECTION 10. Terms of Office
a. The President and President-Elect, each as such, shall serve a one (1)-year term and shall not succeed themselves in office. The Vice President, Sections and the Vice President, Regions, each as such, shall serve a two (2)-year staggered term and shall not succeed themselves in office. Secretary and Treasurer, each as such, shall serve a two (2)-year staggered term and shall not succeed themselves in office. The Editor, as such, shall serve a three (3)-year term and shall not serve successive terms as Editor. Notwithstanding the above, the term of the Vice President, Sections which commences July 1, 2007, shall be for one year.
b. The terms of office shall commence on July 1 following election.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article II. Officers, Executive Director, and Association Positions, Section 10. Terms of Office of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
A proposed amendment to Article II, Section 11, of the AAPG Bylaws to eliminate a reference to a date which is no longer necessary.
ARTICLE II. OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND ASSOCIATION POSITIONS SECTION 11. Election of Officers
a. These officers shall be elected from among the members of the Association by means of secret ballot in the following manner: not later than June 30 of each year the Advisory Council shall annually recommend two (2) or more candidates each for the office of President-Elect, biennially recommend two (2) or more candidates each for offices of Vice President, Sections; Vice President, Regions; Secretary; and Treasurer; and triennially recommend two (2) or more candidates for the office of Editor to stand for election during the following fiscal year, and, if elected, to serve during the second succeeding fiscal year. The Executive Committee shall approve the candidates recommended in the order (if the Advisory Council recommends candidates in a particular order) and for the office recommended by the Advisory Council unless the Executive Committee, by the affirmative vote of not less than five of its members in each instance, alters the order in which candidates are recommended or changes the office for which a particular candidate is recommended; provided, however, that no person shall be a candidate who declines such candidacy. The Executive Committee shall annually approve two (2) candidates each for the office of President-Elect, biennially approve two (2) candidates each for the offices of Vice President, Sections; Vice President, Regions; Secretary; and Treasurer; and triennially approve two (2) candidates for the office of Editor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Advisory Council shall recommend two (2) or more candidates and the Executive Committee shall approve two (2) candidates for each of the offices of Vice President, Sections and Vice President, Regions for the elections to be conducted in the Association’s fiscal year commencing July 1, 2006. Additional nominations may be made by written petition of fifty (50) or more members in good standing received at Association headquarters not later than October 15 following. A candidate or nominee for the office of Vice President, Sections must reside within the United States and be a member of a Section at the date of his or her approval by the Executive Committee as a candidate for such office as described in this Section 11 or when otherwise initially becoming a candidate or nominee for such office. A candidate or nominee for the office of Vice President, Regions must reside outside of the United States and be a member of a Region at the date of his or her approval by the Executive Committee as a candidate for such office as described in this Section 11 or when otherwise initially becoming a candidate or nominee for such office. The names of candidates shall be published in the Explorer or by other suitable means ninety (90) days prior to distribution of ballots to members. The Executive Committee shall then prepare a printed, electronic, or other suitable ballot, listing the candidates for each office, and one (1) ballot shall be mailed, electronically distributed, or distributed by other suitable means to each member on or before April 1. Such ballots may consist of any combination of printed, electronic, and other suitable ballots. Marked ballots returned to and received by the Association after May 15 shall not be counted. The ballot committee shall count the ballots promptly after May 15 and report the results to the President. A majority of all votes cast for an office is necessary for election. In case of a tie vote the Executive Committee shall cast one (1) additional deciding vote.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article II, Officers, Executive Director, and Association Positions, Section 11 Election of Officers of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
A proposed amendment to Article IV, Section 3, of the AAPG Bylaws to provide for appointment of Delegates from United States Affiliated Societies if such Delegates are not elected prior to sixty (60) days before the annual meeting of the House of Delegates.
ARTICLE IV. HOUSE OF DELEGATES SECTION 3. Selection of United States Affiliated Society Delegates and International Region Delegates
Delegates shall be selected by popular vote of American Association of Petroleum Geologists members in elections conducted annually by United States Affiliated Societies and International Regions. Voting shall be restricted to those Association members claiming the Affiliated Society or Region as their home society or region. Association members residing in the United States and not members of any United States Affiliated Society may be assigned for the purpose of voting in elections for Delegates to the nearest United States Affiliated Society upon request to that society, without enjoying any of the membership privileges. When the three-year term of office of a Delegate from a United States Affiliated Society expires prior to an annual meeting of the House of Delegates referred to in Section 6 of this Article IV and the society has not elected a Delegate to fill the next three-year term by sixty (60) days before that annual meeting, the president of the United States Section in which the society is located shall prior to that annual meeting appoint a Delegate to serve that next three-year term. All Association members residing outside of the United States shall be assigned to the International Regions in which they reside and shall vote in that Region in elections for Delegates unless claiming a United States Affiliated Society or another Region as their home society or region. All members of an International Region shall be entitled to vote in all elections for all Delegates from that Region. Each International Region shall elect, in an election or elections in which all members of such region shall be entitled to vote, not less than one (1) Delegate from among the Association members of each Affiliated Society within that International Region. Additional Delegates, if any, to which a Region may be entitled shall be elected as determined by the Region; provided, that all Association members assigned to an International Region shall be entitled to vote in all elections of Delegates from that International Region. Any Association member may be a candidate for Delegate from the United States Affiliated Society or International Region in which the member votes upon the member’s timely written request. Delegates shall be elected for three (3)-year terms and may succeed themselves; provided, however, that any Delegate elected as an officer of the House of Delegates during the third year of the Delegate’s three-year term shall automatically be a voting At-Large Member of the House of Delegates for the one year such person serves as such officer. Terms of office shall begin on July 1 following their election. Vacancies in office, or alternates for Delegates unable to attend meetings of the House of Delegates may be filled or obtained from among the candidates not receiving a sufficient number of votes for election, and in order of the total number of votes received. In the event alternates for Delegates are not available from the candidates described above, then the members of a United States Affiliated Society or an International Region who are Association members may appoint alternate Delegates for said meeting. The names of these appointed alternate Delegates must be received in writing by the Headquarters office of the Association at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting of the House of Delegates for which they are appointed.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article IV. House of Delegates Section 3. Selection of United States Affiliated Society Delegates and International Region Delegates of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
A proposed amendment to Article V, Section 1 and Section 6, of the AAPG Bylaws to provide for the Advisory Council to recommend recipients of honors and awards when directed to do so by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V. ADVISORY COUNCIL SECTION 1. Jurisdiction
The advisory function of this Association shall be vested in an Advisory Council. The Council shall have no executive authority, but shall report to the Executive Committee on all matters involving ethics and discipline referred to it. The Council shall conduct long-range planning and undertake the necessary studies and investigations in connection therewith. It shall report to the Executive Committee on all matters involving constitutional review referred to it. The Council shall recommend to the Executive Committee nominations for Association officers and. The Council shall also recommend nominations for all honors and awards, with the exception of the Matson Award and the Jules Braunstein Memorial Award when so directed by the Executive Committee. The Council shall review the organization of the Association and the standing committee structure of the Association. It shall also undertake any special projects wherein guidance is requested by the Executive Committee.
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SECTION 6. Honors and Awards
The Advisory Council shall recommend recipients for all honors and awards which may be established when so directed by the Executive Committee with the exception of the Matson Award, the Jules Braunstein Memorial Award, the Gabriel Dengo Memorial Award, the Ziad Beydoun Memorial Award, and all student awards.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article V, Advisory Council Section 1. Jurisdiction of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
A proposed amendment to Article VIII, Section 1 and Section 2, of the AAPG Bylaws to provide for standing committee co-chairmen and committee managers and to limit the terms of committee vice-chairmen.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES SECTION 1. Standing Committees
Except as provided in Article XI of these Bylaws, the Executive Committee of this Association, acting on Advisory Council recommendations, shall have the authority to establish, maintain, and dissolve standing committees of the Association. In like manner, the charge to each standing committee may be modified. A list of standing committees, the charge to each committee, and the names of the chairmen or co-chairmen, vice-chairmen, and committee members of each shall be published annually. In addition, the Executive Committee may appoint a committee manager for a standing committee who shall liaise between the committee and the Executive Committee. A committee manager for a standing committee may, but need not, be a member of such committee. The Executive Committee shall report to the House of Delegates at its annual meeting as to the establishment or dissolution of any standing committees since the last meeting of the House of Delegates.
SECTION 2. Appointments and Tenure
Except as provided in Article XI of these Bylaws, the President shall appoint all committee chairmen, co-chairmen, vice chairmen, and other committee members, and committee managers and fill vacancies whenever they occur, except where otherwise specified in these Bylaws. The Executive Committee shall determine the number of members of each standing committee. The Executive Committee may remove any committee chairman, co-chairman, vice chairman, or other member or committee manager with or without cause. The term of office of a member of a standing committee, unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, shall be three (3) years beginning July 1. Appointments of chairmen, co-chairmen, and vice-chairmen, and committee managers shall be for one (1) year beginning July 1. Members of standing committees (other than chairmen, co-chairmen, and vice chairmen) shall serve in rotating terms. One-third (1/3) of the members of each standing committee (other than the chairman, co-chairmen, and vice chairman), unless otherwise provided, shall be appointed each year. No chairman, co-chairman, vice chairman, or committee manager of a standing committee may serve as such for more than three consecutive years and no co-chairman shall have served as chairman at any time during the preceding year. Each chairman, co-chairman, and vice chairman of a committee shall be a member of such committee by virtue of his or her office. Committee members shall be Association members of any classification.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article VIII, Committees Section 1 and 2, Standing Committees and Appointments and Tenure of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
A proposed amendment to Article VIII of the AAPG Bylaws to add a new Section 4 to limit the terms of AAPG representatives to non-AAPG committees.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES SECTION 4. Association Representatives to Non-Association Committees
An Association member of any classification appointed by the Association to represent the Association as a member of a committee, board, or organization which is not part of the Association shall, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this section, serve as such on such committee, board, or organization for not more than one (1) term, but in no event for more than five (5) years. The five (5) year limit in the preceding sentence on service during a term may be extended for not more than two extensions of one (1) year each if each extension is approved by the unanimous vote of all of the members of the Executive Committee. Multiple full or partial terms of a member on any particular committee, board, or organization may be served by the member if not less than one (1) fiscal year of the Association elapses between each full or partial term served.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept and amend Article VIII, Committees Section 4, Association Representatives to Non-Association Committees of the AAPG Bylaws as presented. Motion Carried.
13. Nomination and Election Committee
Larry Wickstrom, Chair of the Nominations and Election Committee recognized the members of the committee. The following slate of candidates were introduced to the House and each candidate was allowed three minutes for a statement.
- Chairman-Elect:
- Jeff Lund
Peter Lloyd - Secretary/Editor:
- Patrick Gooding
H W “Dub” Peace, II
There were no nominations from the floor. Exhibit “J”
14. Resolutions Committee
Sandi Barber, Chairman of the Resolutions was unable to attend. Maurice Birdwell, Vice Chair of the committee, recognized the members of the committee and reviewed the written report. Exhibit “K”
Birdwell reported that formal application for Affiliated Society status has been submitted by the Atlantic Geoscience Society (AGS) and the Balochistan Geoscientists Association (BGSA).
Grant Wach and Dave Brown spoke on behalf of the Atlantic Geoscience Society.
Legal counsel has determined that their purposes and bylaws are consistent with the AAPG bylaws and recommended affiliation to the AAPG Executive Committee.
Motion: The motion to approve the application for Affiliated Society Status of the Atlantic Geoscience Society and the Balochistan Geoscientists Association was adopted. Motion Carried.
Birdwell also reviewed non-representation by societies as outlined in the report. The names of the societies are being forwarded to the Chair of the HoD to begin the process for possible disaffiliation: Everglades Geological Society, Geological Society of Iowa, Miami Geological Society, San Angelo Geological Society and the Southeastern Geological Society.
15. Newsletter/Minutes Approval Committee
Laura Zahm, Newsletter Committee Chair, recognized the members of the committee and provided the purpose of the committee and accomplishments. Zahm stated 95% of the survey responses were in favor of the digital “Delegates’ Voice.” The digital Delegate’s Voice increased readership from 850 printed copies to over 4,000 active AAPG members. Cost savings in printing and postage is $1,100 dollars an issue. Exhibit “L”
16. New Business
Chairman Sonnenberg asked if there was any new business and there was none.
17. Special Presentations
Plaques were presented to Chairman Sonnenberg and Laura Zahm, Secretary/Editor.
Chairman Sonnenberg presented incoming chair of the HoD, David Hawk the official House necktie and gavel.
David Hawk asked that all motions come to him directly.
18. Results of House Officer Elections
Chairman Sonnenberg announced the results of the election for the 2010-11 House officers declaring Jeff Lund as elected Chair-Elect and Patrick Gooding elected Secretary/Editor.
19. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairman Sonnenberg adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m.
s/s____________________________________
Laura Zahm, Secretary/Editor