AAPG Home : Committees : International Regions : Minutes - 04 November 06, Perth
Following welcome and introductions, Dana Patterson Free reviewed safety procedures for the Perth Conference and Exhibition Centre.
Minutes were approved as submitted.
President Billingsley encouraged everyone to think about AAPG’s resources past, present, and future to include 1) financial resources, and 2) member/volunteer resources. He contrasted SPE’s autocratic system with AAPG’s democratic system, where decisions must go through the House of Delegates, and therefore, change is sometimes slow.
Kaldi asked if the IRC could submit input to the House of Delegates on the graduated dues proposal.
Action: Following the House of Delegates mid-year meeting on December 2, the IRC will be provided with the graduated dues proposal and invited to comment at that time.
Action: Billingsley asked the IRC to provide input to the Executive Committee on the issue of incorporation.
Brooks expressed concern over the lag time in setting up the AAPG European Office.
Lloyd – Regional Advisory Committees – concerned that this creates another level that diffuses communication.
Action: AAPG Executive Committee and staff will develop governing rules for the proposed Regional Advisory Committees to clarify expectations and responsibilities of Advisory Committee members. Once developed, the Regional Advisory Committee governing rules will be sent to IRC members.
Kaldi encouraged IRC members to respond and give feedback to the proposed Regional Advisory Committees concept.
Fritz explained that he met with Bobbie Ryan, Chair of the AAPG Corporate Advisory Board. John Dolson had previously suggested the creation of Region Corporate Advisory Boards, and the “Regional Advisory Committee” concept resulted from those discussions.
Annual gross income Annual dues payment > US$65,000 $80 (full dues) US$65,000 - $45,000 $60 US$45,000 - $25,000 $40 < US$25,000 $20 Action: AAPG Headquarters will provide documentation on “Ability to Pay” (Graduated Dues) model for IRC review.
Darman – In Asia-Pacific Region, people expect to pay like the SEG model.
Gries – This dues model is long overdue and will do a lot for international members.
Fritz – emphasized that this is now a House of Delegates decision.
Kaldi – Reminded IRC members of their option to make a collective recommendation in favour of the graduated dues/ability to pay model or to not endorse the model.
Action: If agreed at IRC meeting in Long Beach, Kaldi will make such a recommendation (on behalf of IRC) to HoD in Long Beach
Dolson – Ros Nes (Russia’s 2nd largest oil company), Petrobras and Petronas are interested in corporate membership.
Lambiase – Concerned that one or two large companies will buy enough memberships to control their Region.
Action: AAPG Headquarters will send IRC members the Corporate Group Membership documents including a sample contract.
When is the appropriate time to incorporate? First, the SPE model was considered. There was concern that the House of Delegates would not pass a proposal to incorporate all the Regions. This would result in lost time.
Currently 33% of AAPG members are international (non-US).
Kaldi – with this model, the IRC may not be needed. The Region Board equals IRC with “teeth and a wallet”.
Fritz - asked for the IRC to develop a business plan within the next 30 days.
Action: Kaldi asked for volunteers to form an IRC sub-committee for purposes of developing an IRC business plan within the next 30 days. Volunteers: Kaldi, Kahn, Blanchard, Dolson, Darman.
The IRC is now a more representative body with responsibilities to represent, review, and recommend. The Regions are constantly evolving, and therefore, the IRC mission statement needs to be broad in scope. The proposed new IRC Mission Statement has been posted on the AAPG website for the last few weeks.
Lloyd – He was Chair of IRC when the original mission statement was first drafted. He likes this second version better!
Action: The committee voted unanimously to accept the new IRC Mission Statement as written.
Kaldi – the VP role could also include coordinating with affiliate societies, to “carry the AAPG banner”, and to tap into local societies for Region speakers.
Brooks – suggested a non-competitive approach with other Region societies. For example, the European Region plans to offer speakers on topics not being addressed by other societies. The European Region will participate with other societies for larger conferences and events, while trying not to replicate.
Kaldi introduced and welcomed Carol McGowen.
McGowen explained that she reported directly to the Executive Director. Her position was created to provide a higher level of accountability and communication to members worldwide. She invited direction from IRC members to help establish top priorities for her work.
Action: Schedule discussion as an agenda item for the Leadership Conference in February.
Hogg – the primary role of ICE is revenue generation for AAPG. The committee is comprised of members experienced in selecting venues and executing large conventions. The IRC does not represent that same skill set.
Brooks – The benefit of the Athens model is a 50-50 split of revenue and staff support between the Region and AAPG Headquarters.
Action: Kaldi suggested that a document be prepared with position statements from both Hogg and Brooks.
Gries – Sections have done this, local awards became part of the resume for members. Must ensure that Regions have representation on Advisory Council to speak for their members.
Kaldi – Emphasized Regions must attend Advisory Council meetings.
Gries – We do not need the Executive Committee to ratify Sections’ or Regions’ awards. There are many deserving members at the Section / Region / Affiliate level. For example, Rocky Mountain Assoc. Pet. Geol. is the only affiliate petroleum geology organization that gives an Explorer of the Year award. IMIS software at AAPG HQ contains records of members’ activities, but only if provided by members to HQ. Many accomplishments are not listed. Member databases can be provided on request from HQ.
Lloyd – Observed only 65% attendance at HoD meetings. Regions will lose credibility if meetings are not attended. HoD rules are very flexible for representatives.
McGowen – Membership numbers impact HoD representation for each Region. Suggest Region leadership encourage payment of delinquent dues.
Action: Brooks suggested looking at all committees for appropriate international representation – McGowen review and facilitate.
International Visiting Geologist / Distinguished Lecture Program - C. Caughey
Heine – When giving talks internationally, can speakers also be representing AAPG as VG?
1. Africa – K. Adeside
2. Asia Pacific - H. Darman
3. Canada - J. Hogg
4. Europe - J. Brooks
5. Latin America - N. Azambuja
Action: Send membership lists and names of Presidents of Affiliate organizations for each Region.
Gries – recommended Region Presidents travel to each country within their Regions.
6. Middle East - C. Heine
Brooks – Proposed that Region Membership Committee be responsible for reviewing and approving membership applications rather than transferring applications to Tulsa.
Azambuja – Need to define and communicate the benefits of AAPG membership. Regional meetings of 100 – 150 people with HQsupport to help with marketing will boost visibility –. Regions can provide help to select keynote speakers for regional meetings.
Heine – Middle East currently has a full house with Distinguished Lecture presentations but needs more. Proposal to Foundation – fund Distinguished Lecturers twice a year. “We live with shackles.” Regions need money to organize activities. Possible solution – Members pay dues to affiliate society, which would filter a percentage of funds to AAPG.