ER News
AAPG 2008 Annual Convention and Exhibition - House of Delegates Meeting
Martin Jentsch Delegate - European Region
At 8 am on April 20, 2008 the House of Delegates meeting was called to order by Martin D. Hewitt, Chair of the House, in the San Antonio Convention Centre. This meeting, dear Members, is the occasion during the year, where your elected representatives come together to discuss all pertinent business of our Society, receive the reports of the sections and officers of AAPG and vote on motions and changes to by-laws. New officers of the house are elected and it is the occasion to meet the candidates running for office. It is also a good opportunity to meet fellow delegates and hear news from the sections and regions all around the world. This year 206 delegates were seated in the house with 18 HoD members representing the European Region.
The agenda consisted of 36 items promising a busy day.
After the introductions, a moment of silence was called to commemorate the past chairman of the House, Tom Mairs.
Reports were then given by the 2008 Convention General Chairman, Gene L. Ames III. Congratulations again to Gene and his Committee on a job well done.
The house was addressed by AAPG president Will Green, AAPG Executive Director Rick Fritz and Chairman Martin Hewitt.
Reports of the House Committees were started off by Patrick Gooding (Eastern Section), Chair of the Credentials committee. The committee had been active to ensure, that all delegates had been properly selected and documented prior to the annual meeting.
The Agenda and the minutes of the last year’s meeting were formally approved by the delegates.
The Rules and Procedures Committee chaired by Steve Sonnenberg (Rocky Mountain Section) proposed one amendment to the House of Delegates Rules and Procedures to bring the Rules and Procedures in compliance with the AAPG’s Constitution and Bylaws. The amendment was passed by the House.
The Constitution and Bylaws committee chaired by Paul Hoffman (Gulf Coast Section) proposed an amendment to Article XI Section 8 providing for the AAPG Executive Committee to have the authority to expel a member who falsely stated his or her qualifications on an application for AAPG membership. Also this amendment was approved by the house.
No actions were proposed by the Resolutions Committee chaired by Paul Britt (Gulf Coast Section) this year. The Newsletter Committee, chaired by Robert Webster (Southwest Section) reported on their work. Four issues of The Delegates’ Voice including the final June issue have been published this term.
As every year the delegates looked forward to the presentation of the candidates running for the positions of the House of Delegates Officers. The candidates had been selected by the Nominations and Elections Committee, chaired by Ed Dolly (Rocky Mountain Section).
For the Chair-Elect Deborah Sacrey (Gulf coast Section) and Steve Sonnenberg (Rocky Mountain Section) and for the position of Secretary/Editor elect Sigrunn Johnsen (European Region) and Erik Mason (Gulf Coast Section) presented themselves.
Steve Sonnenberg was elected as the new Chair-Elect of the House and Sigrunn Johnson as the new Secretary/Editor-Elect of the Delegates’ Voice. Congratulations to Steve and Sigrunn. Sigrunn’s election not only is a great success from the perspective of the European Section but it is the first time that this office will be held by a non-American. This really shows that AAPG’s move toward more international diversity is being filled with life.
The second part of the reports was kicked-off by AAPG Treasurer Randi S. Martinsen showing the robust financial basis of AAPG. Gretchen M. Gillis, Editor of AAPG Publications made a strong plea for more members from the international Regions to serve as Reviewers for the Bulletin. So, if you are willing, please contact Gretchen.
William L. Fisher, Chairman of Trustees reported on all the good work that the AAPG Foundation is doing and was able to announce a substantial donation that was received by the Foundation just prior to the Annual Meeting.
Presidents of the AAPG Divisions, Douglas G. Patchen for Energy Minerals, Charles G. Groat for Environmental Geosciences and Thomas D. Ewing for Professional Affairs presented the work of their Divisions. If you would like to have more information about the Divisions I recommend visiting their site on the AAPG internet and urge you to become a member. You’ll have a lot of benefits for a small additional membership fee.
The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of this year’s awards. The Honors & Awards Committee chaired by Jim McGhay (Tulsa Geological Society) had done a great job seeking out those delegates whom have served the House in various and exemplary service and forwarding their names for approval by the House Officers.
Recipients of the Distinguished Member of the House Award are John Reginald Brooks (former President of the European Region); Alan Lee DeGood (Kansas Geological Society) and Patrick James Gooding (Kentucky Society of Professioal Geologists).
The House Long Service Award was presented to Jeannie Fisher Mallick (Houston Geological Society).
The House Recognition of Service Award was presented to Martin D. Hewitt (Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists) and Robert Edward Webster (Dallas Geological Society).
Also Certificates of Service for 9 years and 15 years of service as a Delegate are issued annually to Delegates reaching those milestones.
Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for the outstanding service you have given to AAPG.