A proposal to add an international vice president position to the AAPG Executive Committee will be considered by the AAPG House of Delegates in April at the group’s annual meeting during the Houston convention.
The Executive Committee voted 6-1 to send the proposal to the House. AAPG members eligible to vote were notified of the proposal by postal service or e-mail in early January.
House of Delegates Chairman Donald D. Clarke said the proposal is an effort by the Executive Committee to respond to calls for proper representation of the international membership on the EC. Clarke noted that nearly 25 percent of AAPG membership resides outside the United States.
The present vice presidential office would be specified as a U.S. Sections position.
The bylaws proposal also would change the term of office for both VP offices to two years, which would be staggered.
“The result will be a vice president-Regions, who is experienced with international issues and will focus on the international issues, and vice president-Sections, who will focus on the needs of the domestic sections,” Clarke said. The proposal calls for the vice president-Regions to reside outside the U.S.
The addition of one position to the Executive Committee will make a total of seven elected officers along with the Chairman of the House of Delegates, for a total of eight voting members of the EC.
“Although this may present a problem with close votes (Roberts’ Rules of Order prefers, but does not require, an odd number),” Clarke said, “most ECs have chosen to suspend consideration of such issues until a clear consensus emerges.
“This subject was discussed at length during the HoD mid-year meeting and during the Constitution and Bylaws (Committee) meetings,” Clarke said. “We understand that there will be times when voting is difficult, but we are also confident that the Executive Committee is filled with officers who are working to build a better AAPG, and the problems at hand will be resolved.”
The proposed Constitution and Bylaws changes will require a two-thirds vote of those present at the House of Delegates meeting for approval. If the House approves, a change in the wording of the Constitution is necessary, changing the number of seats on the Executive Committee.
Consequently, an Association-wide vote then will be held, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage.