Michigan Basin Geological Society

Minutes

May 8, 2006

President: Robb Gillespie

Thanks to all on the Board and other volunteers for a good year and good work.  Robb also offered congratulations to new officers.  Many accomplishments were achieved over the year including adding new members, initiating a renewed relationship with M.S.U., and progress on state park geology brochures.  Robb offered to continue work on the brochures over the summer.

MBGS will adjourn for the summer and the next meeting will be in August 2006.  Tom Hoane will generate new contact list and supply to new officers.

Secretary Report: Dave Baxter absent.  Minutes from last meeting – There are likely limited minutes from the April meeting due to the meeting being held at the Michigan Basin Core Laboratory.  Minutes from March and April 2006 have not yet been approved and will need to be taken into consideration at the August 2006 meeting.

Treasury Report: Tom Hoane   See attachment 1 for checking account.  The Society ran an operating deficit for 2005-2006 due to the granting of three student scholarships.  The Society still has a healthy positive balance of over $8,000 including more than $3,000 in checking, and over $5,000 in a Money Market account.  The Society sold more than $750 worth of publications at a cost of about $350 (see attachment 2).

Business Report: Len Espinosa absent.  May 20 trip to Petrolia arrangements made.  Len is working on a salt mine trip for June (tentative).  The Baraboo trip has been postponed until next spring, and Len is discussing trip details with Dr. Dott and Medaris while he is on a Lake Superior trip this week.  A suggestion was made to investigate the feasibility of running a 2008 trip to Yellowstone.  Mark Wollensak and Mark Nida will conduct a preliminary investigation and compile a list of potential attendees.  Robb suggested running a trip to the historical western Pennsylvania oil fields.  This trip would cover four days – two days plus one day travel each way.  Robb has led a similar trip for W.M.U. students and volunteered to organize and lead a MBGS trip.  

Newsletter: Tom Wellman absent.  Report by Tom Hoane – nothing to report.  It was pointed out that the Society will need to look for a new Newsletter editor in the near future.  The ideal candidate would be committed for two or more years.  Mark Nida suggested considering hiring a person to perform the duties as the editor devotes considerable amounts of time.  Tom pointed out that much of the effort has been reduced due to elimination of most of the mailing and moving the newsletter to electronic format.  No action was taken and the issue will require further discussion when the Society resumes business.

Electronic Publications: Mark Wollensak Ten (10) CDs of Publications 1-4 and the 2004 Guidebook has been made.  Disc 5 was reviewed by Bob Reynolds and no changes were noted.  Mark brought up discussion of a price for Disc 5 and suggested $30.00.  After discussion the Board recommended $50.00, with a price for all 5 publications (if bought as a set) of $75.00.  Mark is currently working on digitizing Publication 6, the joint field trip guidebook with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Society (WGNHS).  Need to send letter as outlined by Mark’s email (attachment 3).  Ken Petrie will write a draft letter and submit to the Board for review and editing.  Bob Reynolds will print and sign as the MBGS President and submit to the WGNHS.

Website: Greg Varnum absent    No report

New Business – The Society will need to order new mugs for speakers.  It was proposed to have the annual wrap-up meeting at Core Lab in Kalamazoo.  The proposal was met with a positive response from Board members. It was also suggested that two meetings a year be held at M.S.U.  Meetings held at M.S.U./W.M.U. would be a good opportunity to bring in an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer.  The A.A.P.G. people are costly this could be partially defrayed at/by the University.  Mark Nida requested suggestions for speakers/meetings next year.  Robb and Ken volunteered to speak; Len and Dave will be contacted for ideas.  Ken Petrie offered to investigate interest in joint MBGS/SPE Golf Tournament.

Old Business – Brochures Committee co-chaired by Robb Gillespie and Tom Hoane as a continued over summer and next year.

Motion to adjourn by Tom Hoane, seconded by Bob Reynolds and approved unanimously.