Meeting held
Wednesday, October 10th, 1990
Norquay Room, Banff Springs Hotel
Banff, Alberta, Canada

Meeting Agenda

1. Opening.
2. Acceptance of the minutes from the 1989 Annual General Meeting.
3. President's Report.
4. Secretary/Treasurer's Reports -
   Balance Sheet
   Auditor's Report
   Membership Report
5. Review of the dues structure.
6. Newsletter Editor's Report.
7. Report of CAP Councillor to IFPS.
8. Nominating Committee's Report and submission of other nominations.
9. Appointment of the new Nominating Committee.
10. Appointment of CAP's Auditor.
11. Other business.
12. Closing of meeting.

Preamble

In attendance: N. Albert, S. Barss, A. Beaudoin (Newsletter Editor, compiled the AGM Minutes), E. Burden, E. Davies, R. Fensome, M. Head (Secretary/Treasurer), J. Jansonius, D. Jarzen, S. Jarzen, J. Legault, J. Lentin, P. Mudie, C. McGregor, B. van Helden President and Presiding), J. White, G. Williams (President-Elect).

Minutes

1. The meeting was called to order by Bert van Helden at 4.50 pm.

2. The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting (October 18th, 1989, in Tulsa, Oklahoma), distributed with the agenda at the beginning of this meeting, were accepted. Moved by J. Lentin, seconded by J. Legault. Motion carried unopposed.

3. Bert van Helden welcomed everyone to the AGM, introduced the executive to the meeting and gave his President's Report. Martin Head arrived during these remarks.

4. Martin Head first reported on CAP's finances, given in the accompanying financial statement. He mentioned that G. Norris has not audited the Treasurer's Report as yet, but will before the next Newsletter. In answer to a question about interest on CAP's bank account, Martin Head indicated that the Bank of Montreal only gives interest when the account balance is over $500 - a rare occurrence for CAP. It is not, according to his researches, possible to get a higher rate at any other bank. Graham Williams queried the approximately $360 annual costs for running CAP, mainly for postage. The consensus was that this was relatively cheap and could not be reduced. David Jarzen pointed out that IFPS dues will increase to US$1.50/member at the next IPC meeting (1992).

Martin Head noted an encouraging increase in CAP's membership over the past year.

Colin McGregor arrived and was given a brief review of events.

Acceptance of the Treasurer's Report and Membership Report was moved by S. Barss, seconded by J. Lentin, and carried unopposed.

5. With respect to CAP's dues, Martin Head felt that an increase was justified now, because of probable postage increases, possible effects of GST, and the increase in IFPS dues mentioned previously by D. Jarzen. After further discussion, J. Lentin proposed that dues be raised to $7/year (Can.) for 1991 onward. This motion, seconded by D. Jarzen, was carried unanimously. It was also agreed that anyone who had already paid their dues for up to three years ahead (as agreed at the last AGM) would not be affected by this increase. Martin Head was directed to search CAP's by-laws to see if changing the dues required a postal ballot of all members.

6. Alwynne Beaudoin (Newsletter Editor) reported that there was plenty of material for the next CAP Newsletter, but made a plea for continuing contributions, and also drew the attention of the meeting to two recent features of the Newsletter - abstracts from recently-completed theses and articles on computer applications in palynology.

7. David Jarzen (CAP Councillor to IFPS) gave his report and also suggested that it might be appropriate to put some material about CAP in PALYNOS - a suggestion that was well-received by those at the meeting.

8. With respect to the new executive, Bert van Helden thanked Graham Williams for stepping into the position of President-Elect after the resignation of Jon Bujak. The transfer of power occurs officially at the end of 1990, and Bert wished Graham good luck with his new duties. Susan Jarzen recorded the moment on film. Bert van Helden was thanked for his sterling service as CAP President.

The Nominating Committee reported that Elliott Burden has agreed to be President-Elect for 1991-1992. This nomination was uncontested.

9. The new Nominating Committee (Bert van Helden and Judith Lentin) was appointed.

10. Martin Head proposed G. Norris as CAP's Auditor. Carried unopposed.

11. Other business.

i. Martin Head proposed a review of the membership structure, particularly the distinction between CAP members and correspondents. He felt that this distinction was rather insular, and informed the meeting that it had raised comments by a few correspondents. He proposed that the distinction be ended and that correspondents become full members of CAP, with voting privileges. Motion seconded by James White.

A lively and lengthy discussion then ensued. The reasons for originally setting up the distinction between members and correspondent were set forth - namely a need to give CAP a uniquely Canadian focus, a need to make CAP distinct from AASP, and the danger that CAP would become a branch of AASP. Increased IFPS dues, paid on a per member basis, and higher postal rates for members outside Canada were mentioned. In opposition, it was pointed out that members and correspondents pay the same dues and hence should have the same privileges. Nairn Albert, as a representative correspondent, remarked that he did not feel the lack of voting privileges was a severe disadvantage; he felt that most correspondents were probably mainly interested in the Newsletter, as he was. Ultimately, the motion was defeated (2 for, 7 against, 1 abstention). Two other proposals (to change "correspondents" to "associate members", and to charge differential dues for correspondents) were withdrawn after discussion and did not come to a vote. Thus the situation with respect to CAP members and corres-pondents remains unchanged.

ii. A comment by A. Beaudoin that members with dues more than 2 years in arrears should be withdrawn from the Newsletter mailing list was deemed reasonable by those present, although not put to a vote.

12. As the AASP meeting's Icebreaker reception was beginning, the CAP Annual General Meeting ended about 6 pm., on a motion by J. Legault, seconded by D. Jarzen.

President's Message

As I must compete with the Icebreaker following this meeting, I will try to restrain myself and I will deviate from the traditional forty-seven minute speech! (applause)

My theme throughout the past two years has been that of concern: all too many colleagues, excelling in their profession, have been forced to retire from the field of palynology; not because they lacked in knowledge or enthusiasm or hard work, but because the industry at large seems to have adopted the concept that exploration can do without biostratigraphy (i.e., palynology).

I believe that this concept is rather ironical and untrue: sure, we know a great deal about the age of sedimentary sequences (thanks to palynology!) and this aspect of earth-science has become somewhat less critical.

Palynologists, however, by the nature of the residues which they study, do not only observe the organic-walled fossils, but also other organic remains extracted from the sediments. These very remains tell us much about the generation and maturation of hydrocarbons; a relatively simple, albeit only qualitative, method by which to ascertain geochemical parameters.

In addition, the total organic residue provides a great deal of information about the environment of deposition of these sediments.

I strongly believe that all these data are crucial to successful exploration for hydrocarbons, and I equally strongly believe that palynologists should concentrate their efforts on these aspects of palynology and deliver this message powerfully and effectively to industry if we want to see the science of palynology survive.

But enough of this. Perhaps the most important part of my message should be devoted to words of thanks, and I believe that I speak on behalf of all CAP members.

Martin, I wish to thank you sincerely for the years of faithful service in your capacity of secretary/treasurer; you were, and are, the man behind the scenes, who enabled CAP to run as an efficient organization! THANK YOU!

Alwynne, you fulfilled that particular office of the executive which is truly the backbone and main objective of CAP, as the organization is indeed a NEWSLETTER association. You maintained a very high standard of communication with all CAP members, resulting in the production of a series of EXCELLENT Newsletters! THANK YOU!

Personally I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the management of Chevron Canada Resources for providing me with time and support to exercise my duties over the past years.

Last but not least, I must express my strong concern about a suggestion made by one of our "alien" members in the person of H. V. Kaska, who proposed informally that CAP be named a "Royal Association". Suggestions such as this cause general unrest and if fanned sufficiently could lead to civil war within the Canadian (Royal) Association of Palynologists.

And now I want to turn the gavel over to my successor, Graham Williams (applause please) who has solemnly promised to lead CAP to unsurpassed heights!!

B.G.T. van Helden, Abdicating CAP President

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Secretary/Treasurer's Reports
Membership Report

Paid up to 1989 (inclusive):	Full members 55 Correspondents 14 Institutional Members 3	TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 72
Paid up to 1990 (inclusive):	Full members 57 Correspondents 19 Institutional Members 3	TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 79
Prepaid to 1991 (inclusive):	Full members 27 Correspondents 11.4 Institutional Members 3	TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 40.4
Prepaid to 1992 (inclusive):	Full members 20 Correspondents 11 Institutional Members 0	TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 31
Prepaid 1993-1995 (inclusive):	Full members 6 Correspondents 5.5 Institutional Members 0	TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 11.5

CAP had a total of 79 members (57 full members, 19 correspondents, and 3 institutional members) in good standing at October 5, 1990. Compare this to 64 members (51 full members, 12 correspondents, and 1 institutional member) in good standing this time last year, and you will observe a notable upswing in membership.

CAP analysts are uncertain if this represents a significant turning point in what has been a steady decline in total membership since the heydays of 1986. Nor is it clear whether the Gulf Crisis has played a role. In any case the scheduled membership drive at Banff (AASP Annual Meeting) will hopefully raise the 1990 membership number close to or even beyond the record of 95 members set in 1986.

Respectfully submitted by:
Martin J. Head, CAP Secretary/Treasurer, October 5, 1990

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Report of CAP Councillor to IFPS

The following items concerning the activities of IFPS (International Federation of Palynological Societies) are provided for information to the CAP membership:

1. Two numbers of Palynos (the Newsletter of the International Federation of Palynological Societies) have been distributed to CAP members. The issues [Volume 12(2) and Volume 13(1)] were produced by Dr. James Canright. Special interest items included an encomium for Robert Potonié [Volume 12(2)] and an introduction to the organizing committee for the 8th IPC to be held in Aix-en-Provence in 1992 [Volume 13(1)].

2. The first circular announcing the 8th IPC was received by me and distributed to all CAP members on July 2nd, 1990. Circulars are still available for distribution. Interested individuals should contact Mrs. Susan A. Jarzen (at Canadian Museum of Nature, address below).

Details of the first circular contents will also be published in the December issue of the CAP Newsletter. Extra copies for distribution will be made available at the AASP meeting in Banff, Alberta.

3. Dr. Wim Punt forwarded to me a first and second draft of A Glossary of Palynological Terms as prepared by the Terminology Mini-Group of IFPS. The preliminary document was forwarded to the CAP executive and announced in the CAP Newsletter [Volume 12(2):31, December 1989]. The document has been available for review and comment, with a deadline of January 1990. Final review and acceptance or rejection of the Glossary of Palynological Terms will probably be made at Aix-en-Provence.

4. CAP dues to IFPS for the calendar year 1990 were paid in the amount of $80.00 (US) to cover our 66 fully paid members and outstanding dues for 1989. Martin Head paid our dues on 16 April 1990.

5. CAP members who are not receiving PALYNOS or who wish to contribute news items to PALYNOS should contact me at the address given below.

David M. Jarzen, CAP Councillor to IFPS 1988-1992, September 25th, 1990

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This summary originally appeared in CAP Newsletter 13(2):6-11, 1990. It has been slightly edited for clarity.