SEG - Society of Economic Geologists

JULY 2012 • No 90 SEG NEWSLETTER 5
for input on course topics and that
online courses would follow at a
much later stage.
Passed a motion from Megaw accepting
the report of the Chair of the
Publications Board, Goldfarb. Noted
significant journal achievements in
the areas of timeliness and moving
to an electronic version of record. A
number of new publications were in
the pipeline as well as new initiatives
to summarize journal articles in the
final issue of the Newsletter, move
books onto DVDs, and market publications
through journal subscribers,
book reviews, and improved visibility
via web media such as Google,
Amazon, and Web of Science.
On a motion from Enders, approved
the recommendation of the Publica -
tions Board, as presented by Goldfarb
(Chair of Publications Board) and en -
dorsed by the Executive Committee,
that the budget be amended in the
amount of $50,000 to address
improved marketing of publications
and courses. Discussion on marketing
possibilities included hiring of an
intern or part-time employee, bilingual
ability (English and Spanish),
and the possibility that Foundation
might contribute toward the costs of
this function.
Passed a motion from Arribas to
approve the Treasurer’s Report,
noting that the Auditor’s report
would be finalized and distributed
to Council after review by the
Foundation Board of Trustees of the
new GAAP requirement to record
“Promises to Give” for 2011.
Passed a motion from Enders to
approve the Amended Budget for
2012, noting a correction in the budgeted
dividends and interest and
investment management fees for the
Wallace Fund.
Passed a motion from Enders to
accept the report of the Investment
Committee and ratify its members as
G. Ireland (Chair), D. Baker, R. Hall,
C. Herald, B. Putnam, B. Suchomel,
H. Noyes, and B. Hoal.
Passed a motion from Gutzmer to
accept the report of the Program
Committee Chair (Enders). Short
presentations were made on three of
the upcoming meetings:
— Discussion on SEG 2012 conference
in Lima, Peru was led by Miguel
Cardozo, SEG Meeting Coordinator.
He distributed the latest conference
brochure and explained the
joint nature of the meeting with
the Geological Society of Peru and
the key deadlines of March 31
and April 30 for student abstracts
and other abstracts, respectively.
— Gerry Carlson, President of Canada
Foundation, provided a color flyer
on the joint SEG-SEG Canada
Foundation meeting in 2013 in
Whistler, Canada. He noted that
progress was on track with the
venue and meeting planning contracts
in place, the budget finalized,
and work proceeding on the
technical program.
— Brian Hoal reported on SEG 2014
in the absence of the organizing
committee chair, Bart Suchomel.
The committee was now largely in
place and would soon begin its
work in formulating a theme and
planning fund-raising.
Other key conferences that were
noted included IMA 2014 (August
30 th ) in South Africa (Judith Kinnaird
will be organizing field trips), the
125 th Anniversary Meeting of GSA
(27–30 October, 2013) in Denver,
Colorado, and SEG 2015 (late
September) in Hobart, Tasmania.
Passed a motion from Arribas to
accept the report of the Vice President
for Regional Affairs, Watanabe, and
recommend his budget (to include
an additional US$1,500 for the Scott
workshop in China) for approval by
the SEG Foundation Board of Trustees.
Further noted that Regional Vice
Presidents needed guidance on the
purpose and amount of the expenditures
in their respective budgets.
Discussed the verbal presentation of
the Chair of the Students’ Committee,
Sharman, noting the following:
— The need for a successor to
Sharman as chair of the committee
and that she would investigate
this and report back on a recommended
candidate to the VP for
Student Affairs and Council.
— As per the committee charge,
there needs to be a mechanism to
establish a past-Chair and Chairelect
to ensure continuity.
— The importance of a student
alumni network to ensure retention
of students in the Society, ongoing
communication among Student
Chapters, and improved visibility.
— The Students’ Committee should
be represented at the Council
meeting in Lima, Peru.
Passed a motion from Kinnaird to
accept the report of the Student Affairs
Committee submitted by the Chair,
Harris, and noted the following:
— There are currently 61 Student
Chapters located in 24 countries,
reflecting a growth of almost 20%
since 2010.
— The Foundation distributed
$39,363 to 39 Student Chapters in
2011, with chapter grants ranging
from $500 to about $2,500.
It was further noted that Student
Chapter field trips would, from 2012,
be funded by the SEG Wallace Fund
but continue to be administered by
the Student Affairs Committee.
Passed a motion from Cardozo to
approve the following recommendations
from the Executive Committee
on Honorary Fellowships as presented
by Enders:
— No change to the SEG Bylaws.
— Extraordinary service by senior
economic geologists was a key criterion,
especially where the nominee
had not already been recognized
with another award from
SEG.
— Nominations, accompanied by letters
of support from at least three
SEG Fellows, to be approved by a
majority of the SEG Executive
Committee.
— The Past President would chair the
committee to review and evaluate
candidates on an annual basis.
— Maintain the prestigious nature of
the award by limiting the number
of Honorary Fellows to a maximum
of 1% of the overall Fellow
numbers.
— Honorary Fellows should be recognized
as part of the regular SEG
Awards procedure and at Awards
ceremonies where possible.
— Nominations for Honorary Fellow -
ship to be called for from the general
membership as well as from
the SEG Council and SEG Founda -
tion Board of Trustees.
Referred to the Executive Committee
for discussion the topic on how best
to utilize the linkages between different
geoscience and engineering disciplines
in large corporations that were
engaged in mineral exploration and
mining.
President Fontboté thanked the SEG
staff for their support of the Council
and asked that members of Council
help increase efficiency by responding
promptly to requests from the
Littleton office.
Agreed to schedule the next meeting
of the Council on Saturday, Septem -
ber 22 nd , 2012, at the Westin Hotel
in Lima, Peru.
Adjourned the meeting at 12:50 p.m.
on a motion from Fontboté. 1