MINUTES OF THE 82^nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IAASM
Westin Galleria/Oaks Hotel, Houston, Texas, USA
Sunday, May 14^th, 2000, 3:30 pm, Alabama Room

1.1 The President Dr.Claude Thibeault opened the meeting at 3:35 pm. There were 70 members signed in and present.

1.2 The President welcomed all members present, and thanked all members of the Executive Council, Committee Chairs and their Committees, and other members who have continued to work on behalf of the Academy. He also thanked Dr. Marco Montenegro for taking on the Presidency of the Organizing Committee and working hard to make the Brazil Congress a success.

2. APOLOGIES (17)

Apologies were received from Drs.Jay C. Bisgard; Jean-Paul Boisson; Graeme Cameron; C. Curdt-Christiansen; Emmett. B. Ferguson; Heinz S. Fuchs; Masaomi Hokari; K.E. Klein; A.J.F. MacMillan; Edward L. McNeil; Royce Moser, Jr.; Ian Perry; Frank Preston; Paul Rambaut; G.Santucci; Len Thompson; Fred Zebouni.

According to the Constitution, a quorum will be 25 % of members entitled to vote(including valid proxies), while for non-constitutional matters a quorum of 20 % is sufficient.

Currently, the Academy had 116 financially current members, therefore a 25 % quorum is 29. There were 66 financially current members present, plus 14 valid proxies received, resulting in a total of 80 votes. Thus, there was an ample quorum to carry out any business.

Members were asked if any one required French translation during the meeting.

No requests were made, but anyone who might require translation during the meeting, may ask Dr. Thibeault.

The Minutes of the 81^st General Assembly held in Budapest, August 22^nd , 1999 had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting.

It was moved by Dr.Charles A. Berry, seconded by Dr. Charles Billings, that the Minutes be accepted and approved as written.

Carried unanimously.

There was no business arising from the Minutes.

7.1 Request for Retired Status:

For 2000:

1. Dr. Frank Austin, Jr., USA, joined 1979
2. Dr. Donald C. Choisser, USA, joined 1980

For 2001:

1. Dr. Paul C. Rambaut, USA, joined 1989
2. Dr. Joseph M. Kamps, The Netherlands, joined 1991

7.2 Deceased Members:

The Academy has been notified of the passing of the following Academicians:

1. Dr. Theodore Bedwell, USA, joined 1965, died October, 1997
2. Dr. Alessandro Polizzi di Sorrentino, Italy, joined 1971, died October, 1998
3. Dr. Sean O=Quigley, Eire, joined 1963, died 1998
4. Dr. Manouchehr Ghaheri, Iran, joined 1975, died August, 1999
5. Dr. Won Chuel Kay, Korea, joined 1975, died February, 2000
6. Dr. Stanislaw Baranski, joined 1965, died March, 2000
7. Dr. Alick Peffers, UK, joined 1975, died April, 2000

7.3 Inactive Members:

As per Article I, Section 1, J, of the By-Laws, it was approved by Council that the following Members be removed from the AActive@ List as they had been delinquent in their Annual Dues for 4 years or longer, they had not responded to correspondence, and no response had been received, after their names were placed in the Newsletter as Alost@ Members:

1. Dr. Akshaya Bhalla, India, joined 1995
2. Dr. Hilding Bjurstedt, Sweden, joined 1975
3. Dr. G.P. Booysen, South Africa, joined 1988
4. Dr. G. F. Catlett, USA, joined 1971
5. Dr. D. A. Dellandrea, joined 1986
6. Dr. Bang Lee Ho, joined 1988
7. Dr. Genyo Mitarai, Japan, joined 1977
8. Dr. Arnauld Nicogossian, USA, 1994
9. Dr. Kuldip Rai, India, joined 1994
10. Dr. Didier Rosenthal, France, joined 1982
11. Dr. Pratap C. Sharda, India, 1995
12. Dr. P.M. Sundaram, India, 1992

According to Article VII, Section 3, E, an AInactive@ Member may regain their previous status by payment of the amount of delinquent dues plus the next year=s Dues in advance.

Council requested that the Secretary General review this area of the By-Laws, that the AInactive@ Members status be eliminated, and report back at the next meeting with appropriate recommendations

 7.4 Voluntary Resignation:

Dr. Jürgen Kriebel, Germany, 1992
Dr. Heinz Oser, France, Joined 1978

8.1 Appointment of Secretary General:

Dr. G. Takahashi was re-appointed by Council as Secretary-General.

8.2 Appointment of Deputy Secretary General:

Dr. Len Thompson was re-appointed by the Council as Deputy Secretary-General.

8.3 Increase in Annual Dues for 2001:

Council approved the Annual Dues for 2001 be raised to $US 75.00

8.4 Corporate Membership Fees:

Council approved the annual Corporate Membership Fee be set at $US 250.00

8.5 Recognition of 25 year Academy Membership:

Council, after discussion of a suggestion by a Member that 25 year Members be recognized, approved the presentation of a Special Certificate for 25 years of membership in the Academy.

Dr. Frank Pettyjohn, the Chancellor, had chaired the Selectors Committee meeting that morning at 8:00 am, and presented his report.

Eight Selectors had attended the Selectors meeting.

Also in attendance were non-voting members: President C. Thibeault,,

Secretary-General G. Takahashi, and Dr. C. Berry, as member of the Ad Hoc Committee to study the membership criteria.

9.1 They had considered 9 Applications, with the following results:

Full Members:
1. Andrew Bellenkes, PhD, USA
2. Dr. Ricardo L. de Germano, Brazil
3. Dr. Paul Ledoux, France
4. Dr. José Madrigrano, Brazil
5. Dr. Alexander Medenkov, Russia
6. Dr. Hugh O=Neill, Canada
7. Dr. Guillermo Salazar, USA

Associate Member:
1. Dr. David Flower, UK

9.2 Ad Hoc Membership Criteria Review Working Group:

The Chancellor reported upon the deliberations and discussions of the Ad Hoc Working Group, appointed by the President and the Executive Council to review Membership/Selection criteria.

The Committee members were Dr. C. Berry, Dr. Y. Caine, Dr. C. Thibeault, and Dr. F. Pettyjohn.

1) Criteria reviewed were:
    a) Existing By-Laws
    b) Information/Documentation
        :i) academic training and skills
         ii) areas of expertise/work
        iii) lectures/presentations/publications
        iv) international stature
2) Years of Experience Criteria were also reviewed.

Recommendations from the Working Group
1. The 10 years of experience for Full member should be maintained.
2. The 5 years of experience for Associate member should be maintained.
3. The mission of the Academy is to foster aviation and space medicine.
        The Associate members should be sought, supported and encouraged.
4. The current Academicians should seek out good candidates for Associate members and support and encourage their
        candidacy.
5. Academicians should seek out new Full member candidates and encourage their Application for membership.

9.3 Special Proposal:

The Selectors Committee requested the Ad Hoc Working Group to develop a special proposal which would permit an individual entering the aerospace medicine field late in his/her career, and meeting the majority or the required qualifications could be recommended to the Executive Council for appointment as a Full Member.

Action: Ad Hoc Working Group

The Chancellor, in conclusion thanked the Members of the Committee, and all well-wishers for the support and concern during his recent illness

Moved by Dr. Silvio Finkelstein, seconded by Dr. Charles Billings, that the Chancellor=s report be accepted and approved.

Carried unanimously. Action: Ad Hoc Committee

Dr. Donaldson presented the Scholarship Committee Report.

He reported that five members of the Committee attended the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by President Claude Thibeault, & Secretary General George Takahashi.

-The main point of discussion of the Committee during the meeting was the future of the Academy Scholarship. One possible option of the Scholarship was to join forces with the Aerospace Medical Association and award a joint Scholarship. After much discussion it was the will of the Committee members that the Academy Scholarship be continued as an Academy Scholarship and keep its own identity with the Academy.

- if the Academy could not award a $US 10,000.00 Scholarship annually, then an annual $US 5000.00 Scholarship could be awarded; or a $US 10,000.00 Scholarship every other year until the Academy could afford to give a $US 10,000.00 annually.

- the Committee also discussed the possibility of providing funding to a university to encourage the development of aeromedical education in that particular country.

-the Committee also discussed the possibility of providing funding to a deserving individual to attend an appropriate aeromedical conference such as the International Congress or the Aerospace Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting.

- the Committee agreed to continue to explore ways in which the Academy could provide meaningful awards in order to stimulate and promote the study of aerospace medicine internationally.

Moved by Dr. Ralph Fennell, seconded by Dr. Nestor Kowalsky, that the Scholarship Committee Report be accepted, and approved.

Carried unanimously. Action: Scholarship Committee

Dr. Auffret, Immediate Past-President, and Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the Report.

He was pleased to report that the meeting was attended by all members of the Committee; Dr. Robert Auffret, Chair, Dr. John Ernsting, Dr. Stanley White, Dr. Silvio Finkelstein, and Dr. Antonio Castelo-Branco.

The meeting was also attended by President Claude Thibeault, and the Secretary-General, George Takahashi.

11.1 The following slate of Nominations to fill vacancies for 2001 was presented:

Director: Dr. Daniel Lestage, USA

Selectors:
Dr. Per Årva, Norway
Dr. Marco Montenegro, Brazil
Dr. Sandra Mooney, UK
Dr. Peng Chung Mien, Singapore
Dr. Hans Pongratz, Germany
Dr. A. Martin St. Laurent, France

Scientific Committee:
Dr. Michael Bagshaw, UK
Dr. Roy DeHart, USA
Dr. Gary Gray, Canada

Scholarship Committee:
Dr. Sharon Falkenheimer, USA
Dr. Jean-Jacques Papy, France
Dr. James M. Wallace, Canada

Moved by Dr. Roy Moser Jr., seconded by Dr. Ralph Fennell, that the report of the Nominating Committee, and the slate of nominations be accepted and approved.

Carried unanimously.

Dr. Ernsting as Chairman presented the Committee=s report. He received apologies from Dr.R. Hickman and Dr. L. Thompson.

All other members were present. Drs. Thibeault and Takahashi, attended as non-voting members.

12.1 Monograph by Dr. Anthony Nicholson:

Dr. Ernsting reported that the sale of the English copies continued to be slow. Since the last meeting, only 4 English copies had been sold, while all the French copies had been sold-out for sometime, and requests for French copies are still being received.. The Committee was to look into the possibilities of printing another 30 copies of the French version. Following the sale of the thirty copies, the Monograph should be made available for sale through the Website.

The Committee discussed ways in which the Monographs could be advertised more widely. The Secretary-General was asked to draw attention to the Monographs in the Academy Newsletter. The Chairman will also ask Dr. Sharon Falkenheimer, Chair of the International Activities Committee of AsMA to bring it to the attention of the national members of her Committee.

12.2 Publication of Dr. Jordan=s Paper presented in Oslo:

Dr. Jordan=s text which is to be published in the Academy Newsletter has not yet been received. Dr. Ernsting will follow this up.

12.3 Publication of the Allard Lecture, Budapest: The History of Protection Against Hypoxia:

The Chairman apologised for not having the manuscript of his Monograph completed for publication. He hoped that it would be completed and ready for the Brazil Congress. The initial printing will be 200 English and 200 French copies.

The cost estimated by Dr. Thompson is $US 6000.

12.4 Scientific Programmes of Congresses Sponsored by the Academy

The Committee reviewed the document The Role of the Scientific Committee in the Development of the Scientific Programme of Congress, which was prepared and distributed prior to the meeting. The Committee endorsed it=s position as agreed to at it=s last meeting in Budapest.

The Committee is to review the Call for Papers Form, and prepare a final format for distribution to the Members of the Committee for general agreement.

During discussion, it was agreed that these instructions will be incorporated into the document AA Guide for Organizers of an International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine@ produced by the Secretary-General. The document will then be renamed AInstructions for Organizers of and International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine@.

12.5. The Scientific Programme of the 48^th Brazil Congress :

Dr. Ernsting summarized the activities of the Scientific Programme in support of the 48^th ICASM. A Sub-Committee comprised of Drs. Ernsting, Caine, Crance and Hickman had been established during the meeting in Budapest. Since Budapest, Dr. Major-Brigadier Ricardo L. G. Germano had been appointed the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Congress. Dr. Thibeault reported to the Committee that he and the Secretary-General were invited to Rio de Janeiro in November/99 to participate in a Military-Medicine Conference and at the same time inspect the Congress venue. During their visit Drs. Thibeault and Takahashi had a meeting with Drs. Montenegro and Ricardo de L. G. Germano and the Scientific Committee of the Congress to review the working relationships of the two Scientific Committees.

Dr. Ernsting reported that he had met with Dr. Montenegro on May 13^th, and received copies of approximately 80 Abstracts. Dr. Montenegro=s wish was that Dr. Ernsting and his Sub-Committee review the Abstracts and provide comments by the end of the week.

Dr. Ernsting,, had agreed to meet with his Sub-Committee during the week, and provide comments as best they could in the limited time available.

12.6. Membership of the Committee:

Dr. Ernsting also reported that the Nominating Committee had proposed three new members for election to the Scientific Committee at the 48^th Congress in Brazil.

Moved by Dr. James Wallace, seconded by Dr. Robert Auffret, that the Report of the Scientific Committee be approved and accepted. Carried unanimously.

 

The main points in the Secretary-General=s report were as follows:

13.1 General Comments:

13.1.1 -Newsletter: The Winter 2000 Newsletter was mailed to all Members in February, 2000. Members, especially our more senior Members, continued to provide positive feed-back. Many of the senior retired Members, many who are unable to attend meetings regularly, continued to send back comments of appreciation for the Newsletter. Therefore Members are encouraged to submit news of themselves which may be of interest to fellow Members.

13.1.2 -Membership Directory: A new Membership Directory 2000 was published in January 2000, due to the submission by many Members of new addresses. As practitioners in the aerospace industry are very mobile, the Secretary-General requested that all Members submit changes in addresses etc. as soon as available.

13.1.3 - Membership Dues: The Secretary-General reported that many Members are still late in their Annual Dues payments. As of May 08, 2000, thirty-four per cent of Members had not paid their Annual Dues.

The Secretary-General stressed the importance of all Members paying their Annual Dues as soon as possible upon receipt of the AStatement of Account@, because a) the Academy needs the funds, b) once the AStatement of Account@ is put aside, Members will misplace it, and, c) it is too costly to continue to send unpaid Members AReminders@.

13.3. 1999 FINANCIAL SUMMARY (Canada):

As required by the Constitution & By-Laws, an audited Financial Statement for the previous year must be presented at the Academy Meeting associated with the Congress.

Therefore, an audited report for the Academy funds for 1999 will be prepared and presented at the Congress in Rio de Janeiro, in September, 2000.

However, for the interest of the Members, a brief financial summary for 1999 was presented.

A summary of the financial activities of the Academy for the period from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999 was also presented.

13.4. CURRENT FINANCIAL STATUS: (Canada)

          A report was given.

13.5. FINANCIAL STATUS, NEW ZEALAND:

The Secretary-General reported that the Financial Records are currently being reviewed by the auditors, and therefore a complete audited report will be presented at the next meeting.

Moved by Dr.Charles Billings , seconded by Dr.Silvio Finkelstein, that the Secretary-General=s report be approved and accepted. Carried unanimously.

14.1 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000:

Dr. Marco Montenegro provided a progress report:

- the dates of the Congress will be 17-21st of September, which will be the spring season in Brazil, with temperatures of approximately 30 degrees C.

- the venue is the Naval College.

- the main hotel from which free transportation will be provided will be the Hotel Gloria

- Transportation from Airport to Hotel: Dr. Montenegro reported that a special kiosk will be set up at the airport for the Congress. All Registrants will be provided transportation from the airport to their hotel, provided that all attendees pre-register, and notify the President of Organizing Committee the date of arrival, the time of arrival, and the flight number.

- Scientific Programme: Dr. Montenegro reported that he had received about 80 Abstracts, which he had brought to Houston for comments from Dr. Ernsting and his Scientific Committee. The Allard Lecture will be delivered by Ten. Brig. Do Ar Marcos Antônio de Oliveira.

- Translation: During the Scientific Sessions, there will be simultaneous translations in English, French, and Portugese.

- Academy Lunch: the Academy Lunch will be on Monday, with guest speaker Dr. Silvio Finkelstein, and tickets will be $US 15.00.

- Wednesday: will be Air Force Day with an air show, and a short sight seeing stop on the return trip.

- Social Programme: some interesting tours have been arranged for Accompanying Persons.

Dr. Montenegro assured everyone that plans are well underway for a successful Congress and extended a warm invitation to everyone. A 3^rd Announcement will be mailed towards the end of June.

The President thanked Dr. Marco Montenegro for the presentation and update.

14.2 Geneva, Switzerland

- Dr. Jean Jacques Papy, Co-President of the Organizing Committee, and Dr. Alexis Hyde made a presentation on behalf of the 49^th ICASM, which is being co-hosted by the Société Suisse de Médecine Aéronautique (S.S.M.A.) and the Société Française de Médecine Aéronautique et Spatiale (SOFRAMAS).
- Dates- September 16^th to 20^th , 2001
- Location: Noga Hilton, Geneva, Switzerland
-President of the Scientific Committee will be Academician Jean-Pierre Crance.
- the two Societies are promising an excellent program in beautiful Geneva.

The President thanked Dr. Papy and Dr. Hyde for the presentation.

14.3 2002, South Africa, Sun City

Dr.Ken Ingham, President -Elect of the South African Society of Aerospace Medicine, gave an update on behalf of the Organizing Committee
- Dates: 25^th - 29^th August, 2002
- Location: Sun City, South Africa
- Dr. Ingham also reported that the South African Military Health Service(SAMHS) will be hosting the International Military Medicine Conference during 2002, and therefore has indicated that the SAMHS will not be able to lend support to the 50^th ICASM scheduled for the same year. Dr. Ingham stated that the civilian aeromedical organizations could proceed, but it would be financially very difficult without the support of the SA Military Health Services
-Dr. Ingham, on behalf of the Organizing Committee requested a postponement to 2003 or 2004, if at all possible.

The President thanked Dr. Ingham for his report, and stated that a postponement would depend upon the willingness of another country to host the Congress on such short notice in 2002. The President stated that a response will be issued after discussion with the Executive Council and other host nations.

14.4 2003, Madrid,Spain

-Academician Dr. Francisco Rios Tejada, Secretary of the Spanish Aerospace Medical Association(SEMA), made a presentation on behalf of SEMA, and other Spanish national agencies, to hold the 2003 Congress in Madrid, Spain.
- Dates: September or October, 2003
- Venue: Madrid Medical Association, downtown Madrid
-Dr. Rios Tejada gave a presentation, showing the magnificent facilities of the Madrid Medical Association building, with its beautiful and historic Auditorium, and the many meeting room facilities.

The President thanked Dr. Tejada for the presentation.

14.5 2004

-the Secretary-General reported that he had recently received a written proposal from the Aviation Medical Society of Australia and New Zealand to host the 52^nd ICASM in 2004 in Australia.

However, no oral presentation had been scheduled.

14.6 2005, Warsaw, Poland

Dr. Wielgolaski,, Chairman of the Central Medical Board of Poland, assisted by Dr. Krzysztof Mazurek gave a presentation to host the 53^rd Congress in Warsaw, Poland.

He showed slides of the Polish Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw, including slides of the various possible venues located in the beautiful and historic city of Warsaw.

The President thanked Dr.Wielogolaski and Dr. Mazurek for their presentation.

The President and the Chancellor welcomed and presented a Certificate, Pin and Medal to Dr. Richard A. Jensen, USA

Congratulations were extended to Dr. Jensen by all the Members present.

16.1.- There was no new business for discussion.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.

Recording Secretary:
George Y. Takahashi, M.D.

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