MINUTES OF THE 83^nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Naval College, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1.1 The President Dr.Claude Thibeault opened the meeting at 4:04 pm. There were 65 members signed in and present. (Appendix 1).

1.2 The President welcomed all members present, and acknowledged the excellent attendance.

2. APOLOGIES (39)

2.1. Apologies were received from Drs: Luiz A. Amezcua; Harald T. Andersen; George K. Anderson; Sir John A. Baird; Jean Paul Boissin; Gerardo Canaveris; Stanley Diamond; J. Robert Dille; J. Draeger; Kenneth Edgington; Sharon A. Falkenheimer; Paul Fourn; Israel Glazer; Gary Gray; John Hastings;C. John Hodgson; Masaomi Hokari; Benjamin Kallner; Joseph M. Kamps;Reizo Kikuchi; William H. King; Karl E. Klein; Edward (Ted) McNeil;Alexander A. Medenkov; Pierre-Jean Metges; Royce Moser, Jr.; Spurgeon H. Neel, Jr.; Sarah Nunneley; Jacques Pasquet; Joseph P. Pollard; Hans Pongratz;Russell Rayman; Burt Rowen; Charles H. Spurgeon; Francisco Rios Tejada;Len J. Thompson; Paul Vandenbosch; James M. Wallace; Fred Zebouni.

3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM (CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XIV & BY-LAWS
    ARTICLE VI, SECT. 2A)

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 146 financially current members, therefore a 25 % quorum is 37. There were 63 financially active members present, plus 28 valid proxies received, resulting in a total of 91 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 82^nd General Assembly held in Houston, May 14, 2000 had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting.

It was moved by Dr. Charles Berry, seconded by Dr. Stanley White, that the Minutes be accepted and approved as written. Carried unanimously.

The Minutes indicated an Apology from Dr. Royce Moser, Jr., but this was in error, as the Apology was for Rio de Janeiro, and not Houston. His signature on the Attendance List indicated his presence at the Houston meeting.

7.1 Request for Retired Status:
        For 2001:
        1.Dr. Luiz A. AMEZCUA, Mexico, joined 1967

7.2 Deceased Members:
        The Academy has been notified of the passing of the following Academicians:
        1. Dr. Arne FRYKHOLM, Sweden, joined 1973, died June 2000
        2. Dr. Roberto da M. Teixeira, Brazil, joined 1998, died July 27^th, 2000
            -Dr. Ulf Balldin spoke and paid tribute to Dr. Arne Frykholm’s life and career.-Dr. Silvio Finkelstein
             spoke about Dr. Frykholm’s activities as the first MedicalOfficer for ICAO.
            -Dr. Ricardo Germano paid tribute to the distinguished career of Dr. Roberto da M. Teixeira Brazilian
            Air Force, retiring as the Surgeon-General.The President asked everyone to stand and
             remember our deceased colleagues with a moment of silence.

8.1- Vacancies in Standing Committees: The President announced that he and the Secretary-General were tasked with developing a schedule for nominating members to the Scientific and Scholarship Committees in such a way that there would be continuity in the membership of Committees, and ensure that a large number of the Committee members would not end their term at the same time.

Action: President and Secretary-General

Dr. Frank Pettyjohn, the Chancellor, had chaired the Selectors Committee meeting that morning at 11:30 am, and presented his report. Eleven Selectors had attended the Selectors meeting. Also in attendance were non-voting members: President C. Thibeault, 1^st V-P Ulf Balldin, and Secretary-General G. Takahashi.

9.1 The Committee had considered seven Applications, with the following results:

Full Members:
1.Dr. Gustavo Di Giovan Battista, Argentina
2. Dr. John Crowley, USA
3. Dr. Graeme Maclarn, Australia
4. Dr. Ion Morrison, Australia
5. Dr. Patrick Rodriguez, France
6. Dr. Frederick Tilton, USA

Associate Member:
7. Dr. Diego Alvarez, USA

9.2 Special Pathway to Membership:

Dr. Pettyjohn presented a proposal for a mechanism to allow special consideration for Membership - those individuals who had risen to a position of eminence in their field late in their careers, and thus cannot meet the 10 year experience requirement. Such individuals will be reviewed and recommended to Executive Council for special approval for Membership. Dr. Pettyjohn will provide the proposal with the exact wording at the next Executive Council.

Action: Dr. F. Pettyjohn

Moved by Dr. Graeme Cameron, seconded by Dr. Melchor Antunaño, that the Chancellor’s report be accepted and approved.                                                                                                                Carried unanimously.

10. REPORT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

As Dr. Donaldson was unable to attend the Congress due to illness, Dr. S. Finkelstein, was appointed interim Chair of the Committee, and presented the Scholarship Committee Report. He reported that four members of the Committee attended the meeting. The meeting was also attended by President Claude Thibeault, 1^st Vice-President Ulf Balldin and Secretary-General George Takahashi.

10.1- Dr. Eduard Ricaurte of Colombia, the last Scholarship winner, has enrolled atWright State University, and Dr. Stanley Mohler has reported that Dr. Ricaurte is making excellent progress.

10.2- The Secretary-General informed the Committee that there was sufficient funds to award another Scholarship, and therefore it was proposed to begin advertising in 2001. (Approved by Executive Council)

10.3- After discussing the pros and cons of awarding joint Scholarships with other  organizations, it was decided to maintain the Academy Scholarship, independent of other organizations, as there were too many potential difficulties.

10.4- The Committee will pursue the establishment of an Alumni Society of past Scholarship winners to facilitate maintaining contact with the Academy. The obligation to maintain contact with the Academy will be mentioned in the Scholarship application form. 10.5- The amount of the Scholarship was discussed, and it was established that theamount need not be an exact amount, depending upon the needs of the Scholarship winner, and the funds available, the amount may be to a certain degree flexible.

Moved by Dr. Michael Bagshaw, seconded by Dr. Frank Pettyjohn, that the Scholarship Committee Report be accepted, and approved. Scholarship Committee Report be accepted, and approved.

Carried unanimously.

10.6 - Update on Past Scholarship Winner, Dr. Rajib Ghosh:
Dr Peng Chung Mien of Singapore, kindly gave an update of our last Scholarship Winner. Dr. Rajib Ghosh successfully completed his aeromedical training in the U.K. at King’s College, and was hired three months ago by the Singapore Aeromedical Services. Dr. Peng stated that Dr. Ghosh is a capable aeromedical physician, and doing very well.

Dr. Ernsting as Chairman presented the Committee’s report. He received apologies from Dr. Billings and Dr. Rios-Tejada. The following members of the Scientific Committee were present: Drs. Y. Caine, J-P Crance, R. Hickman. F. Pettyjohn. The meeting was also attended by President C. Thibeault, Secretary-General G. Takahashi, and Dr. S. Finkelstein,

11.1 Monograph by Dr. Anthony Nicholson:

-The Chairman reported that only 2 additional English copies of the Monograph had been sold.
Other avenues of promotion and sales are to be investigated by Dr. Caine. 
-French speaking individuals interested in buying additional copies have volunteered to accept English copies, thus eliminating the need to print additional French copies at this time.

11.2 Publication of Dr. Jordan’s Paper presented in Oslo:

-tThe revised version of this paper had not been received either by Dr. Ernsting or the Secretary-General. 
-Dr. Ernsting will ask Dr. Jordan to forward the revised copy to Dr. Caine.

11.3 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 Reno Meeting.

11.4 Peer Review of Articles:

-The Committee has endorsed the proposal that all Monographs and Articles to be published by the Academy be peer reviewed. Where possible, this should be done by two individuals, preferably members of the Academy. Dr. Ernsting’s Monograph will be reviewed by Dr. Ulf Balldin and Dr. Gary Gray.

11.5 Scientific Programmes of Congresses Sponsored by the Academy

11.5.1-The Committee endorsed the document The Role of the Scientific Committee in the Development of the Scientific Programme of Congress, which was distributed to the members prior to the meeting. Some minor amendments received from a Committee member will be inserted by the Chairman.
- the Committee has decided to take over the control of the Scientific Program from the local organizers to ensure that the quality of the Scientific Program meet Academy objectives.
- the Committee has suggested that 10% of the program be allocated to the local organizers, subject to approval by the Academy’s Scientific Committee.

11.5.2- The Committee proposed that the local Scientific Committee should be re-named the Scientific Coordinating Committee, which will more accurately define their new role.

11.5.3- The Committee proposed that at least 25% of the Scientific Program should place emphasis on review/discussion panels on topics of current interest in the aerospace medicine field. Such participants/speakers/experts would be invited by the Academy’s Scientific Committee. The Committee felt that this would raise the standard of the scientific program.

11.5.4- These new procedures will be implemented for the Congress in Geneva, September, 2001, with the full cooperation of Dr. J-P Crance, the Chairman of the Congress 2001's "Scientific Coordinating Committee".

11.5.5- The Committee developed a "Time-Table" for target dates for the sequence of steps that must take place prior to the Congress, beginning with a Call for Papers, up to the First Day of the Congress.

11.5.6- The Committee also established a process for the review of all abstracts by the Academy’s Scientific Committee.

11.5.7- The Committee decided that these procedures and responsibilities to be undertaken by the Scientific Committee for the conduct of the Scientific Program of future Congresses, once approved by the Executive Council, will be forwarded to the President and the Secretary-General for final review. They will then be incorporated into the "Instructions for Organizers of International Congresses" by the Secretary-General.

11.5.8- Scientific Program of the 48^th Congress-
- Some committee members expressed concern after a preliminary review of the published program, as it did not appear to take into account the advice given by the Academy’s Scientific Committee after it had reviewed the abstracts brought to Houston by Dr. Montenegro. However, Dr. Montenegro had explained that he had written to the authors as directed by the Scientific Committee, and only one author had responded. As the deadline for publishing arrived without response from the authors, Dr. Montenegro made some executive decisions to ensure that the Programs would go to printing and be ready for distribution at registration time for the Congress.

-The Committee acknowledged that the Brazil Congress was the first time that the Scientific Committee had provided direct input into the scientific program, and therefore much valuable information had been gained from this first experience.

Moved by Dr. Stanley White, seconded by Dr. Melchor Antunaño, that the Report of the Scientific Committee be approved and accepted. Carried unanimously.

Dr. Auffret, 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; 1^st V-P. Ulf Balldin and the Secretary-General, George Takahashi.

12.1 The following slate of Nominations to fill vacancies for Sept.2000 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. Ian Perry, seconded by Dr. Frank Pettyjohn, that the report of the Nominating Committee, and the slate of nominations be accepted and approved.

Carried unanimously.

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

13.1 Administrative Issues:

13.1.1. Address Changes:

-Members were strongly urged to notify the Secretary-General of changes in address as soon as possible, as contact is lost until a new address is received. Many mailings are returned after each mailing because of a change in address. This results in increased costs for postage, as mailings often are required to be re-mailed after receipt of a new address.

13.1.2 News of Members:

-The Secretary-General urged members to submit news of interest regarding themselves or colleagues, as Members who cannot attend the meetings appreciate reading about fellow members in the Newsletter.

13.1.3. Annual Dues:

-The Secretary-General made a plea to all Members to pay their Annual Dues as soon as they get their "Statement of Account" in the New Year. He stated that delayed payment requiring a reminder to pay Dues creates more work and cost to the Academy’ administrative functions.

13.2 - 1999 Financial Summary (Only available in hard copy to members) 

14.1 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000:

Dr. Marco Montenegro provided a progress report. Because of an influx of last minute registrations, additional hotel accommodations were required. Several changes in venue were required, as the registration of Attendees doubled in the last few weeks from originally expected figures; ie Academy Dinner and the Farewell Dinner. The Academy Dinner will be held at the Hotel Ortheon, on Copacabana Beach, and the Farewell Dinner will be held at the Naval Officers Club.Dr. Montenegro reviewed the planned events scheduled during the week. 

Sunday evening will be the Welcome party at the Naval College. On Monday morning the Opening Ceremonies will be held, followed by the Allard Lecture, to be delivered by Maj.-Brig. Venancio Grossi. On Monday evening everyone is invited to a special musical concert given by the Brazilian Navy’s Symphonic Band. Tuesday at noon Dr. Silvio Finkelstein will deliver the lecture at the Academy Luncheon. On Tuesday evening the Academy Dinner will be held at the Hotel Ortheon. Wednesday will be Professional Visits, Brazilian Air Force Day, with a visit to the Air Force Base. After lunch, there will be a visit to the famous statue of Christ, the Coracovado. On Thursday the Scientific Program will be concluded, and in the evening will be the Farewell Banquet. Dr. Montenegro reported that over 350 have registered and he is expecting a very successful Congress. The President thanked Dr. Montenegro for rescuing the Congress, and for all his work to ensure a successful Congress.

14.2 Congress 2001, Geneva, Switzerland
- Dr. Jean Jacques Papy, Dr. Hans Hafner. Co-Presidents 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). Dr. Hafner entertained the Members by playing the Swiss horn as a call to attend the Congress in Geneva.
-Dates- September 16^th to 20^th , 2001
-Location: Noga Hilton, Geneva, Switzerland
-Chair of the Scientific Committee will be Academician Jean-Pierre Crance.
- the two Societies are promising an excellent program in beautiful Geneva.
-The proposed Allard Lecturer is M. Jean Pierson. There will be 2 professional visits.
-An interesting social program is being planned, with visits to some interesting sites in the beautiful city.
-Some slides were shown of the beautiful surrounding county-side.
The President thanked Dr. Papy, Dr. Hafner and Dr. Hyde for the presentation.

14.3 Congress 2002, Sydney, Australia
Due to South Africa’s problem with hosting the 2002 Congress, the Australian Society of Aviation & Space Medicine(ASASM) with the New Zealand Society of Aviation & Space Medicine(NZSASM), agreed to host the 2002 Congress.Dr. Ion Morrison, President of the ASASM gave the presentation.
The venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
Dates: Sept. 15 - 19, 2002
Dr. Morrison during his presentation explained that the new Convention Centre is ideally located, surrounded by many hotels within walking distance from the Convention Centre, close to many visitors’ attractions and great shopping areas.
The President thanked Dr. Morrison and the Australian and New Zealand Societies for accepting the challenge on such short notice. The Executive Council gave unanimous approval for Sydney, Australia to be the site of the 2002 Congress.

14.4 Congress 2003, Madrid,Spain
-Dr. José Garcia-Alcón, Director of the Aeromedical Institute of the Spanish Air Force , gave the presentation on behalf of Dr. Rios Tejada, President of the SEMA, regarding the 2003 Congress in Madrid, Spain.
- Dates: October 5 - 9, 2003
- Venue: Madrid Medical Association, downtown Madrid
Dr. Garcia-Alcon gave details of the plans thus far, including the composition of the various Committees
The President thanked Dr. Garcia-Alcón for the presentation, and the Executive Council formally approved Madrid Spain as the venue for the 2003 Congress.

14.5 Congress 2004, Sun City, South Africa
Dr.Eric Peters, gave an update on behalf of Dr. Hannes Botha, President of the South African Society.
Dr. Peters stated that the Organizers of the South African Congress were very pleased that the Australian Society agreed to host the 2002 Congress. The South African Military Health Services has promised that they will be able to provide full support in 2004, while they could not do so in 2002, due to conflicting events.
The Venue: Sun City, South Africa.
The Dates: the exact dates have not been finalized due to the recent change from 2002 to 2004, but early September is being planned.
The President thanked Dr. Peters for the progress report.

14.6 Congress 2005, Warsaw, Poland
Dr. Professor Krzysztof. Mazurek, Deputy Director of the Polish Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine, gave an update of the plans to host the 2005 Congress in Warsaw, Poland.
-the Venue: Warsaw
-the Dates: proposal- mid September, 2005
Dr. Mazurek described the many possibilities of hotels, and the many attractions in the city of Warsaw.
The President thanked Dr. Mazurek for the presentation.

 

It was announced that Certificates and medals will be presented at the Academy Dinner.

16.1.-Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws Regarding Delinquent Dues:

-The Secretary-General, as directed by the Executive Council in Houston, reviewed the issue of Members who remain delinquent in paying their dues.

-he stated that he reviewed By-Laws of other similar organizations, and the difference in the wording of other By-Laws was the use of the word "shall" pay their dues by a certain deadline; whereas in the Academy By-Laws,

ARTICLE VII, Section 3, D, it states "If dues are not paid within thirty (30) days after being notified of delinquency, the Member or Associate Member may be placed in

Inactive Status as defined in ARTICLE I, Section 1, J, by decision of the Council."

- it was proposed by the Secretary-General that the word "may" be changed to "shall", to solve the problem of a significant number of Members who chronically are delinquent in the payment of dues, in spite of being reminded in writing.

Discussion:

-it was pointed out by a Member that the reason for the use of the word "may" in the By-Laws was to provide some leniency to Members who might have had difficulty in paying the Annual Dues, considering that before 1994, Annual Dues was not mandatory.

-it was pointed out by a Member that "Inactive status" was not a "Category of Membership", according to the Constitution, ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP.

Therefore, under By-Laws, ARTICLE VII, Section 3, G, there is an inaccuracy in the wording- "An Inactive Member, Associate Member, or Emeritus Member etc."

-there was a general consensus among the members present that the Annual Dues should not pose a hardship, and the word "may" being changed to "shall" in By-Laws, ARTICLE VII, Section 3, D, would be reasonable, in light of the current economic situation.

It was agreed that the Secretary-General will circulate the proposed Amendments to the By-Laws to all Members at least 60 days before the proposed Amendments are put to the Membership for a vote at the General Assembly, next May, 2001, in Reno, Nevada, USA.

Action: Secretary-General

16.2- Update on the Academy WebPage:

-Dr. Michael Berry stated that during the past 12 months there have been a total of 15,499 hits on the Academy Website. The Website has given the Academy more international exposure.
-The Secretary-General concurred that since the establishment of the Website, there has been a significant increase in the number of inquiries, not only about the Academy, but about Aerospace Medicine in general, and the possibilities of careers in the field.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm.

 

Recording Secretary:

George Y. Takahashi, M.D.

Return to Newsletter 2001

CONSTITUTION  & BY-LAWS CHANGES:

CURRENT WORDING

BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1; Section 1; J

INACTIVE STATUS

Inactive Status is not a category of membership as defined in Article VI of the Constitution, but it is a status or condition in which Members, Associate Members, and Emeritus Members may be placed for non-payment of dues in accordance with Article VII, Section 3.D of the By-Laws.

CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP

The Academy shall have the following categories of membership as defined in the By-Laws:

A. Member
B. Retired Member
C. Associate Member
D. Emeritus Member
E. Honorary Member
F. Corporate Member

 

CURRENT WORDING

BY-LAWS
ARTICLE VII

Section 3

F.   A Member, Associate Member or Emeritus Member will be delinquent if dues are not paid within sixty (60) days of the due date. If dues are not paid within thirty (30) days after being notified of delinquency, the Member or Associate Member MAY be placed in Inactive Status as defined in Article I, Section 1,J, by decision of the Council.

G.  An Inactive Member, Associate Member, or Emeritus Member may regain their previous status by payment of the amount of delinquent dues plus the next year’s dues in advance. Should a Member or Associate Member be placed in Inactive status for non-payment of dues on a second occasion, action will be taken as defined in Article I, Section 2.B, of the By-Laws, for the expulsion of such Member or Associate Member.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS*

BY-LAWS
ARTICLE VII

Section 3

F.   A Member, Associate Member or Emeritus Member will be delinquent if dues are not paid within sixty (60) days of the due date. If dues are not paid within thirty (30) days after being notified of delinquency, the Member, or Associate Member "Emeritus Member" "shall" be placed in Inactive Status as defined in Article I, Section 1,J, "unless the Member, Associate Member or Emeritus Member, within thirty(30) days requests in writing to the Secretary-General for special consideration."

G.   A Member, Associate Member or Emeritus Member, "who has been placed in Inactive Status," may regain their previous active status by payment of the amount of delinquent dues plus the next year’s dues in advance. Should a Member, or Associate Member be placed in Inactive status for non-payment of dues on a second occasion, action will be taken as defined in 
ARTICLE I, Section 2.B, of the By-Laws, for the expulsion of such Member, or Associate Member.

*NB. Proposed changes are in bold italics, and underlined.