American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Minutes
House of Delegates Meeting
22 April 2012 • Long Beach, California
1. Call to Order and Introductions
Chair Lund recognized the AAPG Past Presidents, Past Chairs of the House, and Honorary Members of the House that were in attendance.
Chair Lund invited the non-delegates who were past chairs of the House to move to the front row. The HoD Past Chairs of the House were presented with a ribbon.
Chair Lund introduced the officers of the House of Delegates: R. Randy Ray, Chair-Elect and David R. Cook, Secretary/Editor. Lund also recognized the House parliamentarian, Mary Bahde.
Chair Lund recognized the House chairs and their committees: Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair, David J. Entzminger; Resolutions Committee Chair, Dennis O. Moore; Rules and Procedures Committee Chair, Sandi Barber; Newsletter Committee/Minutes Approval Committee Chair, David R. Cook; Honors and Awards Committee Chair, Laura C. Zahm; Nominations and Election Committee Chair, Sigrunn Johnsen; and the Credentials Committee Chair, David A. Dolph.
Chair Lund recognized members of the AAPG Executive Committee in attendance: Paul Weimer, President; Ted Beaumont, President-Elect; Marvin Brittenham, Sections Vice President; Stuart Harker, Regions Vice President; Denise Cox, Secretary; James S. McGhay, Treasurer; and Stephen E. Laubach, Editor.
Chair Lund introduced the candidates for office of President-Elect: Donald D. Clarke and Lee Krystinik; Sections Vice President: Thomas E. Ewing and Kenneth E. Nemeth; Treasurer: Rebecca L. Dodge and Deborah K. Sacrey; and House of Delegates officer candidates for Chairman-Elect: Steve Goolsby and Larry Wickstrom and Secretary/Editor: Karen Glaser and Rusty (John) Gilbert.
Chair Lund also recognized the AAPG staff.
2. Presentation of AAPG Officer Candidates for President-Elect
AAPG officer candidates for President-Elect Don Clarke and Lee Krystinik addressed the House members and gave brief campaign speeches.
3. Annual Meeting Report
Kay Pitts, Convention General Chair, provided a summary of the 2012 Long Beach Convention. Pitts recognized the convention leadership that volunteered to make the meeting a success. Pitts reported the following statistics: 6,000 projected attendance, 600 registered students, $762,700 sponsorship, 57 corporate sponsors and 220 exhibitors. Pitts reported 417 oral and 669 posters were accepted; 11 short courses (6 sold out), 19 field trips (15 sold out) and an inaugural AAPG-sponsored child care program.
4. AAPG President’s Report
President Paul Weimer stated he gave 22 half-day short courses around the world to students and young professionals and said it was a very rewarding experience professionally. He acknowledged David Rensink, immediate Past President, who chaired the Executive Director search with last year’s Executive Committee and with Bill Fisher representing the Foundation. David Curtiss was named Executive Director and David Lange as Deputy Executive Director. Weimer said, unequivocally, this was an incredibly successful search and pleased with the outcome.
Weimer said there were budget challenges.
He reported on the AAPG/SEG/SPE Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC). The inaugural conference will be held in August 2013 in Denver. URTeC is designed to merge the technology and science in a similar manner to the Offshore Technology Conference. He anticipates the conference will be a major, yearly conference providing a significant source of income.
Weimer stated there is a need to cooperate with other societies. The AAPG and SEG Executive Committees held a joint meeting at NAPE in February, 2012 and discussed a variety of options the two societies might be able to develop in a cooperative, collaborative fashion. The overlap in membership between the two societies is 6%. AAPG is also in communication with EAGE on intersociety options.
Weimer said AAPG’s digital products and delivery are being re-evaluated. He stated science is the reason most members join and the best path to take forward is for AAPG to increase the ability to deliver science instantly.
He also discussed student membership recruitment and stated Chevron has continued to sponsor the student memberships.
He talked about membership simplification and stated the goal is ultimately to make AAPG more welcoming and easier to become a member. He said the Executive Committee strongly supports membership simplification.
5. Executive Director’s Report
David Curtiss, AAPG Executive Director, provided an overview of AAPG’s focus. He began by stating the core purpose is to advance the science and profession of energy-related geosciences worldwide with a goal to be indispensable to energy geosciences professionals. He provided a membership demographic by age and stated AAPG will need to consider changing the products and services to attract new members. He stated that David Hawk and the AAPG membership staff are working diligently to identify associate members who are qualified to become Active members.
AAPG is increasing the Geographic Information Systems delivery. Brett Fossum and Dick Bishop are chairing a committee dedicated to creating new products that are GIS-based that will be easily useable in day-to-day workflow.
Curtiss stated a good example of member service is the series of successful events the Education department is offering around the globe.
AAPG is known for events and he highlighted the AAPG annual convention, IPTC 2011 in Bangkok, the International Pavilion at NAPE, APPEX London, Singapore ICE 2012 and the Geo 2012 in Bahrain.
Curtiss said the AAPG dues statement has been simplified and the AAPG website is being rebuilt from the ground up.
He said there is a good slate of candidates for the GEO-DC search.
Regarding globalization, AAPG is now a registered entity in Dubai and AAPG is sharing office space with SEG in Dubai. AAPG is growing international programs to attract members.
AAPG is focusing on three themes: 1) expanding the global brand as an Association, 2) being innovative with the emphasis on providing quality and excellence in the products and services that AAPG designs and develops in partnership with the members and 3) AAPG will act faster and nimbler while taking advantage of opportunities as they arise and do so in a manner that moves AAPG forward.
6. Other Reports
Delegates heard reports from the AAPG Treasurer, AAPG Editor, Chairman of the Foundation and the EMD, DEG and DPA Presidents. Exhibit “A”
7. Credentials Committee
The Credential’s Committee welcomed and checked credentials of fellow Delegates attending the House meeting. The Credentials Committee is responsible for submission to the Chair of the House an attested roll of Delegates, Alternate Delegates, and Appointed Alternate Delegates who are qualified to vote on business during the meeting. The committee also handles last minute seating of any Delegates, who may have had uncertainties related to their credentials when compared to AAPG’s Delegate credentials list through a motion placed before the House.
David Dolph, Chair of the Credentials Committee, moved to seat the following delegates:
Motion: The motion to seat delegates was adopted as follows: Gregg Norman, Abilene Geological Society; William Stephens, San Angelo Geological Society; Charlie Hamilton, European Region; David Blanchard, Africa Region; Mark Deptuck, Canada Region; and Lindsay Orr, Canada Region. Motion Carried.
Chair Dolph reported there are 218 elected delegates to the House and the number of seated delegates totaled 188 representing 86% attendance of the official delegates. 110 were required for a quorum.
8. Approval of Agenda
Motion: Chair Jeff Lund moved to amend the agenda to include the Report of the Chair. Motion Carried. Exhibit “B”
9. Report of the Chairman of the House of Delegates
Chair Jeff Lund stated his goals were to energize the delegates, especially as new member recruiters’ work toward making joining AAPG more welcoming. He reviewed the delegate responsibilities and membership challenges. He reviewed the complex process when applying for membership. He also stated the recent past membership actions within AAPG in cooperation with the HoD, the EC and the Membership Committee which includes: graduated dues, experience requirement change to one year, the proposed addition of “Certified” as a membership class, the student bridge, study of “current reality” of the delegate application process, EC process changes endorsed August, 2011 and the EC resolution supporting the “membership simplification” bylaws proposal. Lund announced that there will be a HoD guidebook in the near future. Exhibit “C”
10. Approval of the Minutes
Motion: A motion was made to accept the minutes for the House of Delegates meeting held on April 10, 2011 in Houston, TX . Motion Carried. Exhibit “D”
11. Honors and Awards Committee
Laura Zahm, Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee recognized the members and announced the following House award recipients for the year 2012:
- Honorary Member of the House Award
- (Presented at the AAPG Opening/Awards Ceremony)
Larry Jones - Distinguished Member of the House Award
- (Presented at the AAPG Opening/Awards Ceremony)
George Eynon, Jeannie Fisher Mallick and Vlasta Dvorakova - House Long Service Award
- (Presented at the HoD Meeting)
Ed Dolly and Clint Moore - Recognition of Service Award
- (Presented at the HoD Meeting)
Jeff Lund and David Cook - Certificates of Service
- (Presented to House members in recognition of 9 years and 15 years of service as a Delegate. The awards are issued annually to delegates reaching those milestones.)
Exhibit “E”
12. Report of Rules and Procedures Committee
Sandi Barber, Chair of the Rules and Procedures Committee, was not in attendance and no report was provided.
13. Constitution and Bylaws Committee
David Entzminger, Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, recognized the members of his committee. He stated the 2012 Proposed Amendments to the Bylaws were provided to the delegates as a handout Exhibit “F” and are as follows:
2012 Proposed Amendments to Bylaws
[strikeouts – deletions; underlining – additions]
A proposed amendment to Article V, Section 3, of the AAPG Bylaws to provide for recommendations by the Advisory Council to the Executive Committee which involve long-range planning and possible amendments to the AAPG Constitution and/or Bylaws to also be forwarded to the Chair of the House of Delegates for submission to the members of the House of Delegates for their review and comment to the Executive Committee.
Article V. ADVISORY COUNCIL
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Section 3. Long-Range Planning
The Advisory Council shall serve as a functioning long-range planning body to review the Association's activities and recommend to the Executive Committee appropriate changes of programs and policies. Recommendations to the Executive Committee which involve long-range planning and possible amendments to the Association Constitution and/or Bylaws shall also be forwarded to the Chair of the House of Delegates for submission to the members of the House of Delegates for their review and comment to the Executive Committee.
* * * * * * *
Motion: A motion was made to provide for recommendations by the Advisory Council to the Executive Committee which involve long-range planning and possible amendments to the AAPG Constitution and/or Bylaws to also be forwarded to the Chair of the House of Delegates for submission to the members of the House of Delegates for their review and comment to the Executive Committee. Motion Failed.
A proposed amendment (a) to Article I, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, and Article XIII, Sections 2 and 3, of the AAPG Bylaws to provide for the term “Active Members” to be replaced by the term “Members” and to provide for the term “Members” to include those Members designated as Emeritus Members and/or Honorary Members.
Article I. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership
Membership in this Association shall consist of the following classifications:
a. Active Members
b. Emeritus Members
c. Honorary Members
db. Students
ec. Associates
Section 2. Definition of Term "Member"
Unless otherwise expressly provided in these Bylaws, the term "member" shall refer only to Active, Emeritus, and Honorary Members, as that term is used in classification “a” of Section 1 of this Article 1. Only members may hold office, vote in Association affairs, sponsor membership applications, or refer to themselves as members of the Association.
Section 3. Active Members
Any person engaged in the practice or teaching of geology may apply for Active membership as a Member, provided the applicant holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctor’s Degree in geological science, including, but not limited to, geology, geophysics, earth science, geological engineering or environmental geoscience, from a college of acceptable academic standards and, in addition, has had a minimum of one (1) year of experience in the practice or teaching of geological science. The Executive Committee may waive degree requirements if in its judgment an applicant has adequate professional experience and has attained standing in the profession.
Section 4. Members designated as Emeritus Members
When Active Members in good standing in the Association, with all dues paid to date, become sixty-five
(65) years of age and have been members of the Association (regardless of classification) for a total of thirty (30) years including time spent in military service, those members shall become be designated Emeritus Members of this Association upon advising the Executive Director of the Association of their sixty-fifth (65th) birthday, and by requesting such classification of membership designation. Thereafter the emeriti Emeritus m Members shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the amount of dues for Active Members and shall be entitled to all privileges and advantages of Active membership as a Member in this Association.
Section 5. Members designated as Honorary Members
Honorary Members shall be those Active Members of this Association who shall have contributed distinguished service to the cause of petroleum geology. Such determination designation shall be made by the Executive Committee. A recipient of the Sidney Powers Memorial Medal Award shall become automatically an Honorary Member. Members designated as Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues, but shall have all the privileges and advantages of Active membership as a Member in the Association.
* * * * * * *
Section 8. Election to Membership
Every candidate for admission as an Active a Member shall submit a formal application on an application form authorized by the Executive Committee, signed by the applicant, and endorsed by not less than three (3) individuals, at least two (2) of whom are members who are in good standing, stating the applicant’s training and experience and such other facts as the Executive Committee shall from time to time prescribe. The Executive Committee shall be the sole judge of the eligibility of the applicant for membership and the adequacy of the applicant’s qualifications; provided, however, that the Executive Committee may not waive the endorsement or professional experience requirements set out in this Article I for applicants for admission as Active Members. If the Executive Committee after due consideration, judges that the applicant’s qualifications meet the requirements of the Constitution and these Bylaws, the committee shall cause to be published in the Bulletin or by other suitable means, the applicant’s name and the names of the sponsors. If, after sixty (60) days have elapsed since such publication, no reason is presented why the applicant should not be admitted, the applicant shall be deemed eligible to Active Member or Associate membership, as the case may be, and shall be notified of election to membership.
An objection to the admission to membership of an applicant must be submitted by an Active a Member of the Association, must be in writing, must be received by the Executive Director at the Association's headquarters within sixty (60) days after publication of the applicant's name, must include a full statement of the circumstances on which the objection is based, and must be signed by the member raising the objection. If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, the objection has merit, the Executive Committee shall reconsider the application.
* * * * * * *
Article XIII. DUES
* * * * * * *
Section 2. Dues Benefit
The payment of annual dues for any fiscal year entitles the Active Member, Emeritus Member (including a Member designated as an Emeritus Member), Student, or Associate to receive without further charge a copy of the Bulletin and the Explorer of the Association for that year.
Section 3. Dues Schedule and Billing
The annual dues of members shall be payable in advance of the fiscal year in accordance with a schedule to be established annually by the Executive Committee, provided that the dues shall not exceed the sums set forth below:
- Active Member --Up to $125
- Member designated an Emeritus Member --Up to $62.50
- Member designated an Honorary Member --None
- Student --Up to $10
- Associate --Up to $125
The above schedule shall be subject to the following provisos:
- That dues are not refundable;
- That members having previously obtained exemption under the former Life Member category shall not be required to pay dues;
- Students will be reclassified as Associates twenty-four (24) months after termination of academic enrollment.
- There shall be three levels of annual dues for Active Members and Associates which shall be based on gross annual personal income in United States dollars. The levels are: Level 1 – Annual income greater than $50,000; Level 2 – Annual income greater than $25,000 but not more than $50,000; and Level 3 – Annual income of $25,000 or less. Level 2 dues shall be one-half of Level 1 dues; Level 3 dues shall be one-fourth of Level 1 dues; provided, however, that in no event shall annual dues based on any level of annual income be less than $20.00. An Active A Member or an Associate whose annual income is in Level 2 or Level 3 may, at his or her option, pay dues which correspond with any higher level of annual income. The Executive Committee may provide for access to the Bulletin and the Explorer by different means for persons paying different levels of dues.
- Except as required to initiate the various dues levels as set out in subsection (d) above, that the annual change in dues for Active Members and Associates cannot exceed twenty percent (20%), and that this annual change is noncumulative; and
- That a penalty to be established annually by the Executive Committee will be levied for each quarter year of delinquency beginning on July 1.
A statement shall be mailed to each Active Member, (including each Member designated as an Emeritus Member, or an Honorary Member), Student, and Associate before July 1 of each year, stating the amount of annual dues.
* * * * * * *
Motion: A motion was made to divide the question and vote separately on each proposal. Motion Failed.
Motion: A motion was made to discontinue the discussion. Motion Carried.
Motion: A motion was made to provide for the term “Active Members” to be replaced by the term “Members” and to provide for the term “Members” to include those Members designated as Emeritus Members and/or Honorary Members. Motion Carried.
14. Nomination and Election Committee
Sigrunn Johnsen, Chair of the Nomination and Election Committee recognized the members of the committee. The following slate of candidates was introduced to the House and each candidate was allowed three minutes for a brief statement.
- Chair-Elect:
- Steve Goolsby
Larry Wickstrom - Secretary/Editor:
- Karen Glaser
Rusty (John) Gilbert
There were no nominations from the floor. Exhibit “G”
15. Resolutions Committee
Dennis Moore, Chair of the Resolutions Committee recognized the members of the committee. He stated the Miami Geological Society has voluntarily chosen to disassociate with AAPG and the members have been reassigned to the Southeastern Geological Society.
Motion: The motion was adopted to accept three new affiliated societies as follows:
Israel Geological Society (IGS)
Indian Association of Petroleum Geoscientists (IAPG)
Geological Society of Romania (SGR)
And to assign the Israel Geological Society to the European Region
Motion Carried.
16. Newsletter Committee
David Cook, Newsletter Committee Chair, recognized the members of the committee and the staff and provided the purpose of the committee and accomplishments.
17. Officer Recognition
Chair Lund presented incoming chair of the HoD, Randy Ray the official House necktie and gavel.
18. Results of House Officer Elections
Chair Lund announced the results of the election for the 2012-13 House officers declaring Larry Wickstrom, as elected Chair-Elect and Karen Glaser as elected Secretary/Editor.
19. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Lund adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.
s/s____________________________________
David R. Cook, Secretary/Editor