NE-SECTION -AIPG
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
March 3, 2003
Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
104 Corporate Park Drive
White Plains, New York

I. Call to Order
1600 hrs. Attendees - Dennis McGrath, Craig Werle, Dick Young, Kerry Hanlon, Dan St. Germain, Bob Blauvelt and Bill Fetter; by phone - Dean Herrick, Arnie Schiffman, John Gavras, Laurie Scheuing. Minutes by W. Thomas West. I. Secretary Report Dean H. made a motion to accept the meeting minutes with minor corrections. Dennis M. seconded the motion and the meeting minutes were approved by an Executive Committee vote.

II. Treasurers Report
The March 03, 2003 Treasurers report was reviewed. Kerry H. made a motion to accept the report. The motion was seconded by Dean H. and approved by an Executive Committee vote.

III. Correspondence
CT Museum of Mining and Mineral Science - Dan S. received a letter from the museum requesting that the NE Section make a donation for ongoing building restoration. Following a discussion, the Executive Committee agreed to send a letter stating that we contributed the admission price during the fall meeting and would consider returning at a later date to see the building improvements. A monetary contribution, however, to the museum was not approved. National -
AIPG Foundation - Dan S. received a letter from National asking if the Section was interested in taking advantage of their matching grant process. Since the NE Section has not participated in the program in the past, and we currently do not have any research programs it is unlikely that the Section would participate.

IV. Old Business
Angelo Scholarship Fund - 2003 Awards: Kerry H. informed the Section that he received three (3) applications for the 2003 scholarship fund. Due to the limited number of applicants, Kerry H. personally reached out to several schools. The Scholarship review committee evaluated the three applicants, and determining the awards distribution for 2003. The approved award distribution included: Applicant 3 was awarded $2,000, and Applicants No. 1 and No. 2 were each awarded $1,000.

Accountability - It was agreed to include wording on the 2004 application submissions, that Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be attached with the students' application. The scholarship committee voted to include wording on next year's (2004) application submissions that FASFC is recommended/suggested to be attached with each student's application.

Increased Participation -Additional effort will be made next year to attract more qualified applicants. Ideas presented for increasing applicant response included, following up with schools that had previously been awarded scholarships; sending a letter with the application package that emphasized how many and how much we have awarded in the past and also sending carbon copy (cc:) award letters to each of the schools/advisors.

V. New Business
Dennis M. organized the Spring 2003 meeting at Saratoga Springs for May 14, 2003 - Gideon Putnam/Saratoga Mineral Springs/Barton Garnet Mine presentation. Dan S. has arranged with Bill Siok to attend the meeting. The spring meeting announcement (in color) will be included in the Spring Newsletter.

SME Survey (Dick Young): The topic of conducting a survey about the National meeting came about from Dicks' awareness of the previous SME survey. According to Dick, the last AIPG survey was a paper survey that required extensive effort. Dick believes however, that a focused survey to get people excited/involved with the upcoming National meeting could have benefits. According to Dick, the survey could be used to find out the likes/dislikes of the Section members and would also raise awareness of the National 2004 meeting. The survey would indicate that the NE Section is going to be host to 600+ geologists, and request the members to respond by indicating how the NE Section could get the members involved; what are your interests with participating/assisting in the National meeting. Dan S. liked the idea of a survey, but expressed concern with the amount of effort that a survey will require. Dick responded that the survey would be a means of marketing the meeting, and will get people involved. Dan S. indicated that he would be more interested if the survey could be web-page based - but since our server does not allow executable programs/files, we cannot use the web page for that purpose. Dick replied that the questions for a survey could be sent in a PDF format by e-mail. The Executive Committee developed several questions that could be used for the survey - Did you know that we are having/hosting the National meeting; ranking interest in topics/activities (call for papers, technical sessions, posters, short courses, etc.). In closing, Dick Y. indicated that he had originally considered the idea of a survey only for our Sections' members, but based on the discussion, that maybe the survey (thinly described as marketing) could be sent out to the full Institutes membership. Bob B., John G. will both assist Dick Y. in completing this task, Dan will help on putting it up on the website. Dick will circulate the draft survey to the Executive Committee for comments before the March 21st deadline of the Newsletter.

Delinquent Dues - Dennis M. will provide text of the e-mail message he used in the past reminding the delinquent members that they send in their dues.

VI. Newsletter/Directory of Members
Bob S. provided a summary of the status of the Spring Newsletter. The Newsletter has been sent to the printers. The only things that need to be done are to insert the spring meeting announcement and the results of the 2003 ATMGTF awards. The newsletter is to be mailed by the end of week. Dick Y. provided a summary of his efforts for renewing advertisers - The Newsletter currently has 68 advertising renewals and six new advertisers. Bob S. brought in several of the new advertisers and two piggyback advertisers. Thirteen advertisers have yet to renew, but most of these have indicated that they will renew. Typically, the Newsletter has approximately 85 advertisers. Bob S. says that getting the advertisers was fairly easy and highly successful. He recommended that more Executive Committee members get involved and that he would provide a copy of the form letter he used.

VII. Adjournment
1745 hours. Moved on to discuss the organization of the 2004 National Meeting.