HELD AT JOINT IAGA/IASPEI SYMPOSIUM
HANOI, VIETNAM
18:00 Monday 27th August 2001.
Chairman: David Gubbins
There were 15 members present from 5 countries.
1. SECRETARY GENERAL OF SEDI
The Chairman explained that Michael Brown wished to be replaced as Secretary General because of pressures from other work. An approach to the advisory committee had produced 15 suggestions and nominations. All eligible nominees had been approached and asked for their interest in the position. Two positive responses were received, and Dr Michael Bergman of Simon's Rock College, Great Barrington, MA 01230, USA, was elected secretary general by unanimous consent of the meeting. Mike Bergman will take over from Mike Brown during September 2001.
2. DOORNBOS MEMORIAL PRIZE
The Chairman reported new arrangements for the Doornbos Memorial Prize, which has so far been awarded at SEDI meetings by an informal arrangement with IASPEI. At the last business meeting, at the SEDI2000 symposium in Exeter, it was agreed to negotiate a more formal arrangement for the Prize.
David Gubbins and Brian Kennett, as Chairman of the SEDI committee and
President of IASPEI respectively, have signed a memorandum of understanding
for future management of the fund and prize. The fund will continue to
be held by IASPEI and administered by the IASPEI Treasurer. The trustees
of the fund are, ex officio, the President of IASPEI, Chairman of SEDI,
and Norwegian National Correspondent for IASPEI. The prizes will be presented
by the SEDI Committee in
association with their biennial meetings. The sum available for distribution
will represent no more than 90% of the income over a two year period.
This agreement represents the status quo. The memorandum of understanding
deliberately leaves the criteria for eligibility for the Prize unspecified,
and the meeting
agreed that making the Prize more specific was undesirable, although
it should continue to be awarded to young scientists.
3. SEDI MEETING 2002
The Chairman announced that the SEDI2002 meeting is being organised by Cathy Constable and Guy Masters. Accommodation is booked at Granlibakken, Lake Tahoe, California, from 22-26 July 2002. Further information should be available on the web site shortly. The format will be similar to previous meetings, with invited speakers and contributed posters accompanied by short presentations and discussion. Several members expressed a wish to involve more students and young postdocs in the meeting. The Chairman reported that the organisers were attempting to raise funds for travel grants for the meeting, but that SEDI funding from IUGG is not sufficient to help with travel to the meeting in any substantial way.
4. SEDI MEETING 2004
There was some discussion about a venue for the 2004 meeting. Three consecutive meetings have been held in Europe and North America. The Chairman felt it might be appropriate to seek a venue elsewhere for the next meeting, but there was no general consensus on this. The Chairman agreed to follow up tentative offers to host the next meeting and encourage them to be developed into presentations to be made at the SEDI2002 meeting. Possibilities at present are Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Hawaii, and Australia.
5. IUGG 2003
The Chairman was asked to report on preparations for the next IUGG meeting,
to be held in Sapporo, Japan. The Chairman reported that the format of
the meeting is now being finalised. It will contain a symposium ``State
of the Planet'', a new format. This symposium will contain a significant
number of sessions sponsored by SEDI. The Chairman has already met with
the President of IASPEI and sent a proposal for SEDI sessions and a Union
Lecture in the SEDI area. The Chairman plans future meetings with other
Association Presidents.