Attendance at the SGTD AGM was not high, but those present were active participants in discussion. Attendees were
Don Cook
Serge Perrault
Jergen Krause
Paul Evins
Colleen Elliott
Philip Simony
Donna Kirkwood
Simon Hanmer
Obviously not a quorum, the attendees nevertheless had a number of recommendations to bring to the Executive's attention with a view to encouraging you to broadcasting the questions on the Internet (e.g. Spartan) and soliciting greater Division participation prior to arriving at binding decisions.
(1) Suggested sessions/symposia for GAC-MAC '98 + Field trips for '97 and '98
Donna Kirkwood is sending you a memo explaining the rationale behind a proposed Special Session on External domains in orogenic belts, accompanied by a field trip in the External domain of the Appalachians in Quebec, to be held at GAC '98. The Executive is encouraged to request further proposals via the Internet.
(2) Seed Money for sponsored sessions
The meeting agreed that Division sponsorship of sessions should be more than a rubber stamp of an individual's initiative and efforts. Colleen Elliott gave the meeting an account of her recent experience organising the Sponsored Special Session at the Winnipeg GAC, explaining how seed money could potentially assist setting up such a session. The meeting acknowledged that (a) seed money requirements will vary on a case by case basis, (b) that a blanket commitment to provide seed money would represent an unsustainable drain on Division resources, but that (c) in special cases it could very well be warranted. Drawing a parallel with NSERC practices, it was suggested that the Executive might seek a mandate to provide for seed monies in exceptional cases, according to the quality of the case being made. Division membership might be asked to comment on the principle, as well as on conditions of acceptance of requests and to place a maximum on the monies to be made available. It was recognised during the meeting that there should be not any requirement for such seed money to be made available each year. Colleen Elliott agreed to prepare a short summary of her recent experience to be posted on Spartan in order to catalyse the discussion among the membership.
As well as adding substance to sponsorship of Special Sessions, the meeting discussed the possibility of sponsoring field trips. In light of the experience at recent GAC meetings, and the evident success of certain field trips at GAC '96 (at least in terms of participation), and following-up on the suggestion by the Quebec '98 organising committee, it was suggested that the executive encourage Division membership to combine proposed Special Sessions and field trips. A tangible example of the success of such a practice this year was the Trans-Hudson Symposium and the well subscribed (35+ attendees) post-conference field trip to the Flin Flon - Snow Lake area. The meeting foresaw that field trips could also benefit from seed money (e.g. to reserve block-booked accommodation), but again on a case by case basis.
Finally, it was suggested that the Executive ask the Division membership to consider the possibility of sponsoring short courses in Structural Geology and Methods outside of the GAC context. Such courses could find a market in the private sector and might even represent a potential source of revenue for the Division.
(3) Division Finances were announced and accepted.
(4) The meeting was reminded of the CTG venue in BC in October 1996.
(5) The meeting accepted the Executive's explanation for delaying the announcement of the Best Student GAC Abstract Prize. The process of selection of Best Abstract was discussed, including suggestions for evaluating all student abstracts (as opposed to nominations), evaluating posters and talks, It was recognised that these approaches were impracticable at a large meeting such as the GAC, and that the current method was the only manageable compromise. However, in light of the often low participation in the Best Abstract competition, it was queried as to whether this was the best use of the Division's funds and the best way to encourage the participation of young scientists. The meeting recommended that the Executive run such a competition again in '97, but that copies of the abstracts to be considered be forwarded to the Executive according to the same deadlines as the GAC itself. This would allow for an early decision and announcement to be made in time for the winning student to be able to consider putting the prize to good use .... e.g. enrollment in a GAC field trip.
Recognising the low participation at the AGM, the executive is asked to broadcast all of these items for discussion among the Division membership, and to provide a mechanism for the members to make their opinion known.
Simon Hanmer, Chair
Followup on Simon's report:
As Simon has suggested we would like to get the menbership's thoughts on a variety of issues:
Seed money for special sessions:
Should we provide it in some cases?
What criteria should be used to decide if we fianacially support a session?
What level of support should we provide? Please keep in mind that our total income from mebership dues is less than $1000/year.
Sponsorship:
How do you feel about the sponsorship of short courses?
Replacement of best student abstract:
In view of the low participation in the competition for best student abstract, should the division consider an alternative or stick with the present system (with modifications to the deadline for receipt of abstracts as suggested by Simon Hanmer)?
What could replace the best student abstract and still provide some reward/support to some deserving grad student?
Please email/send your thoughts to Sandy Cruden (cruden@credit.erin.utoronto.ca)
"The structural anatomy of the central Flin Flon Belt, southeastern Trans-Hudson Orogen"
Congratulations Jim, the cheque is in the mail.
The executive agrees 100% with the recommendations made at the meeting about the astracts. Submissions for next year's abstract are due to the executive at the same time as the GAC abstracts. The award will be announced before the meeting. You will recieve a reminder by email.
Carol Evenchick phone 604-666-7119; email cevenchick@gsc.emr.ca Murray Journeay phone 604-666-1130; email mjourneay@gsc.emr.ca Bob Turner phone 604-666-4852 email bturner@gsc.emr.ca Lori Kennedy email lkennedy@earth.geology.ubc.ca
Please note that we could also consider a special session at the GSA '98 meeting. We would not officially "sponsor" these, but it would be good if Canadian structural geology and tectonics could be highlighted at this meeting.
We have about 170 paying members, unfortunately we only have email addresses for about 60 and only about 10 sent back the form with their snail mail address. That leaves about 100 members unaccounted for. Sending hardcopies of the main thrust to all is expensive, so are the meetings (the Winnipeg meeting cost $263). So we would like to try again.
If you have email please send your address to:
ffueten@craton.geol.brocku.ca
If you don't have email and haven't confirmed that you wish to receive the Main Thrust by snail mail, please send us your snail mail address by filling out the form (only on the hardcopy version)
The SCTG Executive Alexander R. Cruden, Chairman Department of Geological Sciences University of Toronto Erindale Campus Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6 ph: 905-828-3971 fax: 905-828-5328 email: cruden@credit.erin.utoronto.ca Paula MacKinnon, Treasurer Department of Geological Sciences Brock University St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 Ph: 905-688-5550 ext 3856 Fax: 905-682-9020 email: paula@craton.geol.brocku.ca Frank Fueten, Secretary Department of Geological Sciences Brock University St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 Ph: 905-688-5550 ext 3856 Fax: 905-682-9020 email: ffueten@craton.geol.brocku.ca http://craton.geol.brocku.ca/faculty/ff/ff1.html